$12 Million Settlement Approved in Ironworker’s Fatal Fall at Cement Plant

A Philadelphia judge has approved a $12 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Michael Pittman, an ironworker who was fatally injured during a maintenance job at a Pennsylvania cement facility. The agreement, finalized on March 12, 2025, resolves claims against Hercules Cement Co. LLC over unsafe working conditions that led to the 27-year-old’s fatal fall in July 2021.

Pittman had been employed by G&R Mineral Services and was performing contracted maintenance at the Hercules Cement plant in Stockertown, Pennsylvania. According to court filings, Pittman was tasked with reinstalling a catwalk between two cement coolers after the original structure was removed to accommodate the lowering of a 2,500-pound gearbox. The removal left a 6-by-7-foot opening between the cooler units, and workers were instructed to create a temporary walkway using unsecured wooden planks.

While his coworkers were on break, Pittman reportedly attempted to reposition the planks to form a makeshift catwalk that would allow others to clean grease from the machinery. Without proper safety anchors or fall protection in place, Pittman fell 23 feet through the opening, suffering fatal head injuries. He was found by fellow workers upon their return, surrounded by broken planks and blood.

The Allegations

In a lawsuit filed by his widow, Kaitlyn Pittman, the family alleged that Hercules Cement engaged in negligent practices by instructing employees and contractors to use inadequate materials in place of standard fall protection systems. The complaint claimed that the planks used were too thin to support an adult’s weight and that the company failed to provide anchor points or harnesses, violating industry safety standards.

“Instead of providing and installing standard fall safety equipment and fall safety anchors for use by all those who would be working on the site, including but not limited to, Hercules employees and contractors such as G&R, Hercules Cement instead negligently and frequently engaged in the practice of instructing their employees and contractors to utilize substandard wood planks to create a temporary walkway over open walkways, to the great endangerment of those workers,” the complaint stated.

The suit further claimed that there were no secure locations at the worksite for attaching harnesses or safety lines, leaving workers like Pittman exposed to unnecessary and preventable risks. These alleged failures, according to the complaint, directly contributed to his death.

The Settlement

The settlement, which was reached in principle in December 2024, was officially approved by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas following the filing of a petition in January 2025. Regan Safier of Kline & Specter PC, who represented Pittman’s estate alongside Timothy Burke, emphasized the importance of accountability in industrial safety cases.

“This result exemplifies that a workplace that fosters an unsafe culture and fails to comply with industry-required safety standards cannot shift the blame for their negligence to a man who was injured following their unsafe practices,” Safier said in a statement following the court’s approval.

The settlement resolves all claims brought on behalf of Pittman’s estate, including claims for wrongful death, loss of consortium, and the future care of his surviving wife and two children. The case had been scheduled for trial in January 2025.

Potential for Broader Legal Ramifications

The outcome of this case underscores ongoing concerns about workplace safety practices, particularly in high-risk industries such as construction and industrial maintenance. The complaint’s detailed allegations—such as the use of unsupported wood planks in lieu of regulated fall protection systems—highlight lapses that experts believe are indicative of a broader industry issue.

While the $12 million settlement avoids a public trial, it also serves as a potential deterrent. Legal observers suggest that the high payout reflects the strong liability exposure faced by Hercules Cement and sends a signal that companies must invest in safety compliance or face substantial financial consequences.

Moreover, the circumstances surrounding Pittman’s death raise questions about the responsibilities of contractors and subcontractors working under shared site conditions. As legal standards evolve in response to fatal workplace incidents, this case could inform future litigation strategies and safety regulations.

Law Firms Involved

The Pittman estate was represented by Regan Safier and Timothy Burke of Kline & Specter PC, a firm known for its work in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation.

Hercules Cement Co. LLC was represented by Timothy J. Bergere, Michael C. Witsch, and Nicholas Arbaugh of Armstrong Teasdale LLP, a national law firm with a strong presence in commercial and defense litigation.