Widow Sues Pennsylvania Town, Contractors in Plant Death

The widow of a worker killed when he fell more than 20 feet to the concrete floor of a sewage treatment shaft is suing a western Pennsylvania municipality, a plant official and contractors involved in the project.

The Beaver County Times reports that lawsuits filed by Sarah Hogan contend contractors and others at the Sewickley Wastewater Treatment Plant ignored the dangers of toxic fumes that caused 31-year-old Jack Hogan III to lose consciousness and fall to his death.

Officials have said at least two other workers who tried to rescue Hogan on July 29, 2010 were overcome by gases and also had to be rescued, and Hogan’s widow is suing them as well.

The plant is about 10 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

Sewickley’s attorney says the litigation has been turned over to its insurance company.