$100 million verdict in Milwaukee crane collapse. A jury awarded $99.25 million on 1 December, to three widows, whose husbands were killed in the collapse of the "Big Blue" crane, used to erect the roof frame steelwork at the Miller Park baseball stadium in Milwaukee. The accident occurred 14 July 1999, on a windy day. The widows had sued Mitsubishi, the roofing contractor, and Lampson International, the crane manufacturer. The award included $5.25 million for the loss of their husbands, and $94 million to punish Mitsubishi. The verdict will likely be appealed, unless the case is settled before the appeal. The final payout to the victims' families will very likely be a fraction of the award. (12/19/2000)