Century City : Record Crane-Injury Award

A Century City crane accident has resulted in a $2.9-million verdict for a crane operator who was thrown from the machine and injured, his lawyer said this week.

Charles Laurutis, 54, was awarded the damages Friday, stemming from injuries he suffered in July, 1986, during the construction of the 17-story Marriott Hotel. At the time, Laurutis was an employee of Tripco Corp., operating an 18-ton mobile crane that helped install steel rods used in the construction of the foundation of the hotel, according to his lawyer, Browne Greene.

Laurutis was thrown from the crane when a signal caller on the ground told him to pick up a load of steel that was so heavy it tipped over the crane, Greene said. Laurutis injured his right knee and wrist and has since been unable to work as a union crane operator, Greene said. Defense lawyers could not be reached for comment on whether they will appeal.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court jury, voting 10 to 2, found Laurutis 5% negligent and his company, RPS Inc., 95% negligent, Greene said. He said the verdict is the largest crane-injury jury verdict in a civil case in state history.