Family of Easton father killed in Govt. Center collapse files wrongful death suit

Namu Sampath, The Enterprise
·3 min read

EASTON — The family of the 51-year-old construction worker who fell nine floors to his death in the March 26 partial collapse of the Government Center garage in Boston filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two contractors — John Moriarty & Associates and The HYM Investment Group, LLC — overseeing the redevelopment of the garage, Thursday.

According to the detailed seven page lawsuit, Peter F. Monsini, a South Easton man, was an employee of JDC Demolition Company, Inc. (JDC Demolition), one of the subcontractors of Moriarty, at the time of the collapse.

The lawsuit, filed by Monsini's sister, Gina M. Ferrini, accuses the contractors of "violating safety practices, Code of Massachusetts Regulations (C.M.R.), and OSHA regulations," by permitting demolition workers, such as Monsini, to "operate construction vehicles on the unstable walking-working surface."

Ferrini is asking the court for a fair trial in the wrongful death of her brother, as well as "compensatory and punitive damages," her lawyer, Paul Mitchell, told The Enterprise.

Many times throughout the document, Ferrini claims her brother "fell into the rubble, suffered consciously, and died."

Mitchell didn't go into detail about how long Monsini was alive before he succumbed to his injuries; however, he said Monsini's estate would be arguing "reckless conduct" on the part of the contractors in court.

The Enterprise was unable to reach John Moriarty & Associates and The HYM Investment Group for a comment.

Peter Monsini, 51, of South Easton, died Saturday, March 26, 2022, in the collapse at 1 Congress St. in Boston when several floors of the parking garage, which was being demolished, collapsed.
Peter Monsini, 51, of South Easton, died Saturday, March 26, 2022, in the collapse at 1 Congress St. in Boston when several floors of the parking garage, which was being demolished, collapsed.

What happened?

On March 26, Monsini was killed during a partial collapse of the Government Center parking garage in the Haymarket area of the city.

He was doing demolition work inside the parking garage in a construction vehicle when the floor buckled underneath the vehicle, Enterprise media partner WCVB reported.

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Just five months after the tragedy, the facility reopened for construction on July 11, which will force the shutdown of several streets for several weeks.

The Government Center garage has been under construction since 2017, according to The HYM Investment Group, to redevelop the area into a "six-building mixed-use development, including the 1.1 million-square-foot One Congress office high-rise, as well as the tallest apartment tower in the city."

Anthony Monsini, the uncle of the late Peter Monsini, 51, of Easton, places his hand over his heart during a truck convoy to honor his nephew on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Peter Monsini was killed in a construction accident when a parking garage collapsed at 1 Congress St. in Boston on March 26.
Anthony Monsini, the uncle of the late Peter Monsini, 51, of Easton, places his hand over his heart during a truck convoy to honor his nephew on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Peter Monsini was killed in a construction accident when a parking garage collapsed at 1 Congress St. in Boston on March 26.

The Bullfinch Crossing project — as it was named — was slated to cost $1.5 billion in 2016.

Following Monsini's death, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tweeted: "Boston mourns the life of a construction worker lost in a horrible tragedy at the Government Center garage construction site. Our hearts are with his family & loved ones.

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Who was Monsini?

According to his obituary, Monsini was a "devoted father to his son Anthony," and the "fun uncle (funcle) to many nieces and nephews."

"Peter was a passionate man who loved life. He knew how to enjoy where he was and appreciate who he was with," his loved ones wrote.

From left, Francisca Monsini, 3; Harold Monsini, brother; Cherie Monsini, sister; Harold Monsini Sr., father; Brenda Monsini, mother; Anthony Monsini, son; and Gina Monsini, sister; during a truck convoy that honored the life of family member Peter Monsini, 51, of Easton, on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Peter Monsini was killed in a construction accident when a parking garage collapsed at 1 Congress St. in Boston on March 26.

Monsini was also a "member of the Local 4 Operating Engineers Union for the past 20 years. He was truly happiest running heavy equipment, having grown up in a family devoted to the demolition trade for the past three-plus generations," his obituary said.

"A foodie, with quick wit, he made everyone laugh with his one-liners. He was a loyal and generous friend. He loved cooking, spending time with family, and living his best life with his soulmate, Alicia ('Judy') Logan."

Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan said he went to middle school and high school with Monsini, The Enterprise reported in March.

Sullivan and Monsini were members of Brockton High School's Class of 1988 and both played football for the Brockton Boxers.

"It's really a tragic loss, and I'm just so sorry for his family and his loved ones," Sullivan said. "A fun-loving guy. Always had a smile on his face."

"He was just a typical Brockton guy: hard-working, committed to family, committed to friends," the mayor added. "It's a tragic, tragic loss and he'll be missed by many, many people."

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Easton Government Center garage collapse: Peter Monsini's family sues