‘Record-setting’ $101M award granted in horrific North Carolina wall collapse
By Caitlin Ashbaugh
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WYFF) — The jury in a horrific wall collapse from 2021 has decided a record-setting, multi-million-dollar verdict for the state of North Carolina, bringing a yearslong dispute and six weeks of trial to a close.
$101 million will go to two of the four workers involved and one of their wives. Hajoca Corporation, the defendant and site of the incident, opted for a confidential settlement.
Hajoca provided the following statement to WYFF News 4:
“Hajoca disagrees with, but respects the jury’s verdict in this case. Rather than endure a lengthy appellate process, we were able to settle the case after verdict, and the terms of that settlement are confidential. Hajoca is pleased to conclude this matter after more than five years of ongoing litigation, and looks forward to continuing to serve its customers and the community of Hendersonville.”
The remaining workers settled cases before the trial began.
A 54-page complaint describes the moment a 12-foot retaining wall toppled over in 2021, burying four construction workers under tons of dirt and construction materials. The crush killed one man, a brick mason, and for hours the survivors were stuck and waiting for rescue.
Three of the workers survived with excruciating injuries, revealed in X-rays provided to WYFF News 4.
“As you can imagine, it is one of the most difficult things for them to talk about. He was conscious. He was slammed face down into the pavement. He was broken,” Attorney John McCabe said. “They define themselves by their work and by their family. And just were very committed. The voids in their lives are huge. When that wall fell, it shattered their bodies, and it shattered their lives. Their lives will never, ever be the same.”
Court documents claim the original wall was damaged in a storm months before, and this was an attempt to rebuild the structure. The complaint accuses Hajoca Corporation of negligent practices, including a lack of required permitting.
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