PITTSBURGH - The manufacturer of a strap faces a wrongful death lawsuit after one allegedly snapped and caused heavy machinery to fall on a man.
A lawsuit was filed June 26 filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Gerri A. Black, both individually and as the administrator of the estate of her late husband, Walter B. Black, Jr.
The suit names Sturgeon Consulting, LLC and Samsel Rope & Marine Supply Co as defendants. The case arises from a workplace incident on October 26, 2022, during which a nylon strap manufactured by Samsel allegedly failed while lifting a heavy feed screw, causing it to fall and fatally injure Walter B. Black, Jr.
He succumbed to his injuries on November 7, 2022.
The complaint alleges negligence and strict liability against both companies. Sturgeon Consulting is accused of failing to provide adequate safety training and oversight at the facility where the incident occurred. Samsel is accused of manufacturing a defective product that was unfit for its intended use.
Gerri A. Black seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for each count listed in the complaint, including claims for wrongful death and survival action under Pennsylvania law.
Benjamin Baer of Injury Law Partners represents the plaintiffs.