A Philadelphia jury has awarded $68.5 million (all figures U.S.) in damages to the widow of Siarhei Marhunou, a construction worker who died after falling from an unsecured fifth-floor balcony in December 2021. The incident occurred at a luxury townhouse development site in Fitler Square, managed by OCF Construction LLC.
Marhunou’s widow, Hanna, and their three-year-old son were represented in the negligence, wrongful death, and survival action litigation by attorneys Jeffrey P. Goodman and Aidan B. Carickhoff from Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky.
“Worker safety can never come second to profits,” Goodman stated, highlighting that the case revealed significant safety lapses by OCF Construction. “The evidence in this case showed OCF cut corners on this project at every turn, and it had tragic consequences.”
Attorney Carickhoff added, “No amount of money can ever compensate this grieving, resilient family for their loss. The verdict was just and provided accountability. It was an honour to represent a family with the courage to stand up against businesses who believe they’re above the law.”
The fatal accident happened on December 15, 2021, at 2330 Sansom St., in the Fitler Square neighbourhood. Marhunou, who was employed by a subcontractor, fell approximately 50 feet to the ground while installing siding. The temporary wooden railing on the fifth-floor balcony failed to meet OSHA construction-site safety standards, which mandate extensive fall protections for workers operating more than six feet above the ground.
The jury’s award also included allocations to other defendants involved in the project: Fitler Construction Group, 2330 Sansom Street LLC, HSC Construction, and Hammers Construction. Notably, only Hammers and HSC were not affiliated with OCF’s developer, Ori Feibush, according to the press release issued by the law firm.