MANHATTAN — The estate of Donike Gocaj filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Con Edison in New York Supreme Court following her death on May 18 after falling into an uncovered manhole near East 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The lawsuit alleges the utility company knew manhole covers could be dislodged by vehicle traffic and failed to implement proper safety measures.

According to the medical examiner, Gocaj, 56, died from burns, inhalation of scalding steam, and blunt-force injury to her chest. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Gocaj's death an accident. The manhole into which she fell was approximately 10 feet deep and filled with steam.

Gocaj had parked her car near the manhole before stepping out and falling in. She was headed to her job as an overnight cleaner at the time of the incident. Surveillance footage showed a multiaxle truck dislodging the manhole cover approximately 12 minutes before Gocaj parked her car. Con Edison stated that the manhole cover was dislodged by a large truck driving over it.

The lawsuit alleges the manhole was open, unguarded, and lacked warnings, barriers, cones, lights, or signage. The complaint states that the manhole was left in a dangerous condition without any protective measures despite foreseeable risks. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Jashar Kameraj, Gocaj's domestic partner, witnessed her fall and attempted to rescue her. Kameraj suffered burns and inhalation injuries while attempting to rescue Gocaj. Bystanders also attempted to help rescue Gocaj but were unable to retrieve her from the manhole.

Gocaj was heard screaming "I'm dying! I'm dying!" while trapped in the manhole. Con Edison spokesperson Anne Marie Corbalis stated the company extends condolences but cannot comment on pending litigation.

Howard Hershenhorn and Diana Carnemolla are attorneys representing Gocaj's family. Gocaj is survived by her children, Armando and Esterina Gocaj, and her domestic partner, Kameraj. Hershenhorn stated Gocaj raised her two children alone after losing her husband 20 years prior.

The attorneys stated that more than 3,200 complaints about manhole hazards were filed with the city between January and February. Con Edison maintains approximately 285,000 manholes.

The lawsuit places scrutiny on the safety practices surrounding Con Edison's underground infrastructure, which includes approximately 285,000 manholes. The filing comes as the family seeks accountability for what they describe as a preventable death caused by the absence of basic protective measures at the site. The volume of manhole hazard complaints filed with the city in the months preceding the incident — more than 3,200 between January and February — is cited by the family's attorneys as evidence of a known and ongoing hazard. The outcome of the litigation may influence safety protocols for one of the largest utility networks in the country.