Seattle crane collapse: Jury renders $150 million verdict

On Monday, March 14, 2022, a King County jury returned a $150 million verdict that included two families who lost loved ones in the deadly 2019 crane collapse in Seattle’s South Lake Union. The jury found mobile crane operators Omega Morgan Sarens and Northwest Tower Crane Service primarily responsible for the collapse.

Throughout the legal process, David Beninger and Patricia Anderson served as counsel to the family of victim Alan Justad, a loving father and former City of Seattle planning official. Below you will find statements from the Justad family and David Beninger as well as ongoing media coverage of the verdict.

The official press release can be viewed here.

Statement from the Justad family:

“Nothing can replace our beloved father, Alan Justad, or ease the unthinkable heartbreak that this preventable tragedy has caused our family and so many others. To the city our dad was many things – leader, civil servant, University of Washington alumni and lifelong Seattleite. But to us, his daughters, he was simply our best friend.

This verdict is a victory for accountability. We are deeply grateful to members of the jury for their thoughtful consideration and deliberation, and for sending a crystal-clear message that companies absolutely must put safety first to protect the lives of our community members.”

Statement from David Beninger:

“It’s simple. When your work affects the public, your job is to protect the public. We’re grateful to members of the jury for enforcing the law and holding Omega responsible. Hopefully this will also bring some closure for the families and individuals hurt by this preventable collapse.”