Construction worker files negligence lawsuit against SU, 2 construction firms
A construction worker filed a negligence lawsuit against Syracuse University and two construction firms after a “massive” pipe fell on her foot. SU declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Ilana Zahavy | Presentation Director
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
An outsourced construction worker has filed a negligence lawsuit against Syracuse University and construction firms BOND Brothers, Inc. and CenTrio Energy.
Plaintiff Rachel Pittenger claims that on or around April 23, 2025, a “massive” pipe suspended on a roller stand fell onto her foot at SU’s construction site located on 500 E. Taylor St., the location of the university’s Steam Station, according to the lawsuit filed on March 11.
The lawsuit alleges SU, both construction firms and their employees, violated New York state labor laws 240(1), 241(6) and 200, causing Pittenger to sustain “serious injuries” while onsite. The laws are designed to protect employees from workplace injuries.
“CenTrio takes safety very seriously and denies the claims against CenTrio in the lawsuit,” CenTrio wrote in a statement to The Daily Orange.
An SU spokesperson told The D.O. that the university cannot comment on ongoing legislation. The plaintiff’s law firm, Maxwell Murphy LLC, and BOND Brothers, Inc. did not respond to a request for comment.
Due to the severity of her injuries, Pittenger is suing for damages, and the amount of money she’s seeking exceeds the limits that lower-level courts can handle, according to the lawsuit.
Riggs Distler, Pittenger’s employer, entered a contract with BOND Brothers, Inc. to do work at the SU construction site. BOND Brothers, Inc. is also in contract with SU to conduct work on the site.
Both BOND Brothers and CenTrio both had the authority to “supervise and control the work of contractors performing work at the construction project,” according to the lawsuit.
