Family files suit over OHSU construction death

Defendants’ lawyer says $10 million action is meritless

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Feb 15, 2005, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Several construction companies named in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from an accident at an Oregon Health & Science University project deny any wrongdoing, according to their lawyer, Mark Wagner.

“We intend to defend it vigorously,” said Wagner, who called the suit “without merit” but declined to discuss the specifics of the case.

The children of a construction foreman killed while working on the project filed the $10 million suit against several construction companies and a safety firm in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Friday. It charges the companies were negligent for not complying with state safety rules, which would have prevented the accident.

Larry Fry, 47, died almost instantly last March 11 when his head was crushed against a concrete wall by the heavy counterweight on a large, rotating drill machine. The suit claims the companies should have barricaded the pathway where Fry was walking when the accident occurred.

The Multnomah County Circuit Court lawsuit was filed against Hoffman Construction Co. of Oregon; Andersen Construction Co.; Hoffman-Andersen, a joint venture; Andersen Structures LLC; Dewitt Construction Inc.; and Robin R. Eidem, Professional Safety Services.

Fry’s daughter, Nicole, said the suit is intended to force all construction companies to follow safety rules in the future.

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