ATLANTA,None — The lead attorney for counsel representing injured workers and survivors of the collapse of an elevated walkway at the Atlanta Botanical Garden says they have reached a $15 million settlement with contractors of the project.
“It was a favorable resolution to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. People want to move away from any mistakes that were made, and help these people that were injured,” attorney Pete Law said.
Law told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that the plaintiffs included 15 injured workers and the family of a worker killed when the four-story-high walkway collapsed in December 2008, as crews were pouring concrete to form the deck.
Law said the temporary shoring columns failed to support the weight of the concrete and gave way.
http://bcove.me/xh1st3po
One of the workers who plunged to the ground on top of the walkway was Ravey Langston, 54, a construction worker from southwest Atlanta.
Regan spoke with Langston at his home and asked him what he remembers at the moment the structure gave way.
“I rode in to the ground, and my co-workers were dropping, free-falling. Everything was moving in slow motion. I closed my eyes and thought about my wife for a moment. Thought I was going to die. Then bam! I thought my face was busted up. I thought I was paralyzed 'cause I couldn’t feel my legs for a while. And then excruciating pain," Langston said.
Langston told Regan he suffered a broken back, ankle injuries and severe nerve injuries in his left arm. Doctors told him he is disabled and can no longer work construction. “I’m glad that we settled; I’m happy it’s over. But this will be with me for the rest of my life,” Langston said.
He also said he’s been traumatized. “I get to a bridge I freak out, 'cause I never know if it’s going to go. You think it’s safe, but it’s not," Langston said.
A representative of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which was not involved in the settlement, told Regan the organization was relieved the litigation was finally resolved. The canopy walkway was completed in 2010 and is a key attraction at the Botanical Garden.
WSBTV
