Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against South Carolina Port and Crane Manufacturer

    MT. PLEASANT, S.C., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally known law firm,
 Motley Rice LLC, today announced the filing of a wrongful death and survival
 action against Konecranes, Inc. and the South Carolina State Port Authority
 (SCSPA) on behalf of Jean Holst, wife of William Edward Holst, Jr., who was
 killed at the Wando Welch Terminal in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., on July 5, 2004.
 The action against Konecranes is for negligence, breach of warranty, strict
 liability, wrongful death and punitive and exemplary damages.  The action
 against SCSPA is for negligence and wrongful death.
     The claim alleges that Konecranes, which designed and manufactured the
 overhead crane that landed on and ultimately caused the death of Holst while
 he was performing his job at the Wando Welch Terminal, breached a duty of care
 owed to Holst.  It also alleges that SCSPA failed to adopt and implement
 adequate safety procedures and policies; failed to ensure personnel on site
 received adequate training and supervision; failed to fulfill its duty of care
 as a premise owner; and is responsible for the negligence of its
 employee/agent.
     Holst's death is one of many recent deaths at ports across America.
 Motley Rice attorneys and their client hope that suits such as this one will
 help evoke the safety changes necessary at our nation's ports.
     "Ports play a crucial role in our country's and our state's economy.
 However, safety needs to be made a priority," said Anne Kearse, Motley Rice
 member.  "We hope that by bringing this suit to court we will help bring forth
 the necessary safety changes and regulations."
     Dennis E. O'Neill, Esquire, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., is working closely with
 Motley Rice on this case.  Mr. O'Neill handles the Longshore and Harbor
 Workers' Compensation Act Claim, and is also a close friend of the Holst
 Family.
 
     About Motley Rice LLC
     Motley Rice LLC is one of the nation's largest plaintiffs' litigation
 firms.  Motley Rice attorneys gained global recognition for their pioneering
 work on behalf of asbestos victims, the State Attorneys General in their
 landmark litigation against Big Tobacco, and the 9/11 families in their
 groundbreaking lawsuit against terrorist financiers.  Motley Rice attorneys
 are currently representing clients in the recent JK Harris & Company class
 action, the Graniteville train disaster and chlorine spill property damage
 case, two of the Ford defective door latch class action cases and continue to
 seek justice in the areas of: catastrophic injury; complex case resolution;
 consumer and commercial fraud; environmental hazards and contamination;
 medical negligence and medical device defects; occupational disease and toxic
 torts; and transportation defects.  For more information on Motley Rice LLC
 call 1-800-768-4026 or visit www.motleyrice.com .
 
 

SOURCE  Motley Rice LLC