The family of Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old grandmother, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against utility company Con Edison following her fatal fall into an open manhole on May 18 in New York City. Gocaj's family and partner allege the company's negligence led to her death.
According to the lawsuit, Gocaj had parked her car outside Cartier's flagship store on Fifth Avenue and stepped out to meet her boyfriend when she plummeted into the uncovered manhole. Her boyfriend, Jashar Kameraj, attempted to rescue her but also sustained inhalation injuries and burns. Bystanders were unable to reach Gocaj in time.
Gocaj suffered severe burns, inhalation injuries, and blunt force trauma. An autopsy report indicated scald burns on her body and blunt force trauma to her torso. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. Kameraj was reportedly bedridden due to his injuries.
The family claims Con Edison failed to implement adequate safety measures, leaving New Yorkers vulnerable to such hazards. The filing asserts that the company was aware that its manhole covers could become dislodged by vehicle traffic. An investigation is ongoing into the specific cause of the manhole cover becoming dislodged, with one theory suggesting a passing truck may have caused it to become loose shortly before Gocaj's arrival.
"Assuming that what they said is true, that a truck passed over it and dislodged it, it’s pretty obvious negligence that it wasn’t placed back correctly by Con Ed, who is responsible for that manhole cover," stated family attorney Howard Hershenhorn. The attorney also pointed to over 3,200 complaints about manhole hazards in the city during the first two months of the year.
The family is seeking unspecified damages for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by Gocaj's death, as well as punitive damages against Con Edison. The utility company has stated it cannot comment on pending litigation but will review the complaint and respond through the legal process.