The daughter of the West Palm Beach man killed in a crane accident in March is suing the company that owns the crane and the crane driver.
Colleen Brennan, as personal representative of the estate of James Brennan Jr., filed a wrongful death lawsuit Friday against Beyel Brothers, Beyel Brothers Crane and Rigging South Florida, and driver Christopher Geroda of Royal Palm Beach.
Brennan of Boynton Beach is suing for loss of support and services, the value of future loss of support and service from the date of her father’s death, the loss of parental companionship and mental pain and suffering. She also is seeking damages on behalf of her young son.
The estate is asking for the loss of the prospective net accumulations of the estate, as well medical and funeral expenses that have been charged to the estate or have been paid on behalf of James Brennan.
Geroda was driving the 52-ton crane that hit and killed James Brennan at Royal Palm Way and South County Road on March 4. Brennan, 68, was crossing South County Road, walking westbound, and entered the crosswalk while the crane was turning south onto South County Road from Royal Palm Way.
Although Geroda had active THC, the main ingredient in marijuana, in his system, it was not enough to charge him with vehicular homicide, according a memo from the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. There was no evidence that Geroda was impaired, the memo said.
The lawsuit claims Geroda negligently operated the crane and was operating the vehicle under the influence of marijuana, making him “less able mentally or physically or both to operate the truck crane with safety to himself and to the public, including James Brennan, Jr.â€
Because of Geroda’s negligence, Beyel Brothers — owners of the crane — also are responsible, the lawsuit said.
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James Brennan
