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Donike Gocaj fell into the open Con Edison manhole after stepping out of her parked SUV in Midtown Manhattan on May 18
NEED TO KNOW
- Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old grandmother from Westchester County, died after falling into an open manhole on May 18 in New York City
- The medical examiner later determined that she died of “scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of torso”
- Now her loved ones have filed a wrongful death lawsuit
The family of a 56-year-old grandmother who died after falling into an uncovered manhole in New York City has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
On May 18, Donike Gocaj, a resident of Briarcliff Manor in New York’s Westchester County, fell 10 feet into the open Con Edison manhole after stepping out of her parked SUV in midtown Manhattan, WABC reported.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the manhole belonged to the utility company.
Gocaj was pronounced dead at a local hospital and her officials later determined that she died of “scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of torso.”
Her family’s complaint, which was filed against Con Edison on Thursday, July 16, stated that after falling into the manhole, Gocaj could be heard screaming, “I’m dying! I’m dying.”
While stuck inside, the complaint alleged she experienced “severe, excruciating, and catastrophic physical and emotional injuries, including but not limited to significant, devastating, and horrific scald burns and inhalation thermal injuries, blunt force trauma to her torso and body.”
Gocaj’s domestic partner Jashar Kameraj, witnessed her fall and tried to rescue her from the manhole. According to the complaint, he allegedly sustained several injuries in the process, including “inhalation thermal injuries” and burns.
The complaint accused Con Edison, among other things, of failing to keep the manhole “safely covered” and of not guarding or blocking off the area.
The family also argued that Con Edison had a duty to inspect and maintain its covers “to prevent, among other things, its manhole covers from being unsecured, unfastened, dislodged, and displaced...creating a dangerous, defective, hazardous, and trap-like condition.”
“We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” a Con Edison spokesperson said when contacted by PEOPLE on Friday, July 17.
“Because the matter is pending litigation, we cannot comment on specific allegations or legal proceedings. Con Edison will review the complaint and respond through the appropriate legal process,” the spokesperson added.
PEOPLE also reached out to Howard S. Hershenhorn, an attorney representing Gocaj’s family in the lawsuit, but did not receive an immediate reply.
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Back in May, the utility company said that video footage they had reviewed suggested the cover “was dislodged after a multi-axle truck turning onto 52nd Street from 5th Avenue drove over it.”
“Approximately 12 minutes later, the person involved in the incident parked her car nearby,” the company’s statement continued. “We are reviewing the details, and while this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles. Our thoughts remain with her family, and safety remains our top priority.”
Read the original article on People
