Resort, builders sued over worker’s death

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999 | 11:10 a.m.

Aladdin Gaming LLC and two construction companies were sued by a Salt Lake City woman over the death of her husband, Steven Abernethy, while he was employed as an ironworker on the Aladdin resort construction project.

The defendants, Fluor Daniel Inc., Aladdin project's design builder and general contractor; and Tishman Construction Corp. of Nevada, were hired to build the new Aladdin resort on the Strip at the same site after the old hotel was imploded early last year.

The plaintiff, Bonnie Jo Fuller-Abernethy, alleged her husband's death was caused by the defendants' negligence and failure to take adequate safety measures to protect its construction workers.

Abernethy died April 11 after falling two stories.

The suit said a pile of concrete -- allegedly knocked loose by the defendants -- collapsed through the 23rd floor and struck him when he was working on the 18th floor, causing him to fall.

Officials with Aladdin Gaming and Fluor Daniel declined to comment on the allegations.

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question