Family of Somerville man killed in scaffolding accident sues contractor
By George P. Hassett

   The family of a 27 year old laborer who died in an April 3 construction accident in downtown Boston, filed a lawsuit April 12 contending the general contractor the man worked for should be held responsible.
   Relatives of Romildo Silva allege in the lawsuit that the contractor, Macomber Builders, had ‚Äúfailed to give proper instruction‚Äù to Silva.
   The Superior Court suit seeks at least $500,000 in lost wages and punitive damages for Silva‚Äôs death.

   ”We anticipate that a number of lawsuits will be filed against a number of parties as a result of this tragedy," John D. Macomber, chairman and chief executive of Macomber, a South Boston-based firm, said in a statement last week. ”We can’t comment further."
    Silva had been standing on the construction platform, applying limestone panels to a new 14-story Emerson College dormitory, when a worker pulled out a metal tie that was securing the platform to the building, according to Macomber officials.
    The 3-ton platform should have been tied to a crane, but was left to balance atop a mast, more than 100 feet above the street, Macomber said in a report city officials released last week.
    The platform toppled to the ground, killing Silva; Robert Beane, 41, a foreman who was also on the platform; and Michael Ty, 28, a doctor who was driving on Boylston Street.
     Silva lived in Somerville with his wife, his son and his three cousins. He dreamed of one day saving enough money to move back to his native Brazil and opening a hair salon.