Crane fines appealed in Bellevue accident

Two companies cited by the state in the November collapse of a construction crane in Bellevue, which killed a man, have appealed their citations.

Magnusson Klemencic Associates, a Seattle engineering firm, and Lease Crutcher Lewis, a general-contracting firm, have filed appeals with the state Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, but the documents offer no details about their disputes with the citations issued by the state Department of Labor and Industries.

No hearing dates have been set. The department said it could be several months before the state board considers the appeals.

Matthew Ammon, 31, an attorney for Microsoft, was in his top-floor apartment on 108th Avenue Northeast when the crane fell and killed him Nov. 16.

The state concluded in May that the collapse was caused by flawed engineering design of the mounting base. The crane's foundation was designed by Magnusson Klemencic, and the Department of Labor and Industries recommended that the firm be fined $5,600.

The department proposed that Lease Crutcher Lewis, the general contractor, be fined $9,200 for failing to properly supervise the crane's installation.

Peyton Whitely: 206-464-2259 or pwhitely@seattletimes.com