This spring, Peter McGrath is representing Jane Kilmister, the widow of Brian Knox, 52, who was killed on site at a job in Newbury back in the summer of 2012.
Knox worked for Guillemette Tree Services of Andover, and was killed when a crane cable brushed a power line, shooting a current through the machine into a nearby wood-chipper. Knox was operating the wood-chipper, and was then taken to Concord Hospital. There he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the Concord Monitor.
McGrath, speaking in a statement, said that although it was a terrible way to die, the accident could’ve been prevented. Those being sued include Guillemette, along with the state and Public Service of New Hampshire.
The details
The plaintiff contends that each organization failed to take the necessary precautions that could have prevented this fatal accident. The suit was filed in March in Merrimack County Superior Court, alleging negligence against the Department of Transportation and the Public Service of New Hampshire.
The Concord Monitor reports that in the suit:
- Guillemette and the DOT are negligent for not properly warning/supervising employees
- the PSNH is negligent for leaving lines exposed and not installing more circuit breakers, which is a safety device
After the incident in 2012, Knox’s employer was fined $2,800 by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, due to its failure to maintain a clear 10-foot distance around the power line.
Check back in the coming months to see how this case pans out.