Big Dig lawsuit may become landmark case

BOSTON, June 27 (UPI) -- The lawyers behind a Boston lawsuit involving an accidental death in last year's Big Dig collapse are formulating a plan to gain a landmark settlement.

The lawyers representing the family of Milena Del Valle, who was killed in the construction collapse last summer, said their suit could surpass the $450 million judgment given to a Georgia widow in 2000, The Boston Globe said Wednesday.

The 2000 case involved the widow of a sheriff-elect whose husband was assassinated by a rival.

A memo written by lawyers Jeffrey A. Denner, Mario Garcia and Leo V. Boyle said their lawsuit against the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and related contracting firms could prove equally costly for each defendant.

"Once that jury has spoken, each defendant found responsible will bear a 'scarlet letter' likely to mark them permanently for reckless and grossly negligent conduct," the 15-page document said.

While the lawyers have not announced an acceptable settlement figure, any potential settlement in the hundreds of millions would represent a first for a Massachusetts case, the newspaper said.