Crane Accident Lawyer | September 2024

Crane accidents can have devastating consequences. Crane injuries can be severe, or even fatal. If you or a loved one has been affected by a crane accident, you need to know your legal rights and options.

In this article, we’ll uncover the causes and outcomes of crane accidents. We’ll also look at who’s responsible for compensation and the types of claims available from a crane accident lawsuit.

Why Do Crane Accidents Occur?

There are unfortunately a variety of issues that can cause a crane accident to occur. Mechanical failures, weather conditions, and even simple mistakes have led to injuries for crane operators and others.

Common Crane Accident Causes and Injuries

Crane accident injuries are most commonly caused by struck-by accidents. These accidents are the top cause of construction injuries. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a struck-by injury includes any accident where a person is struck by either equipment or an object. Approximately 75% of struck-by injuries are caused by a crane or other heavy equipment.

Other common causes for crane accidents include:

• Crane operator accident from human error or negligent use of a crane

• Lack of supervision during crane operation

• Crane design defects

• Inadequate training for crane operators and nearby workers

• Overloading the crane

• Operating in dangerous weather conditions

• Assembly mistakes

• Lack of crane inspections

When a crane accident occurs as the result of negligence or unsafe practices, those who were hurt may be entitled to compensation. Fill out the form on this page to connect with a crane accident attorney in your area and learn more.

Injuries sustained in a crane accident can be severe. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Electrocution

• Spinal cord injury

• Bone fractures

• Amputations

• Internal organ damage

Fatalities are also possible in crane accidents, particularly on construction sites. Over 1,000 construction workers died from work injuries in 2022.

Even non-fatal injuries have a major impact. They often require you to spend significant time and incur medical expenses during recovery. They may also have a long-lasting impact on your life and ability to work. Working with a crane injury lawyer helps ensure you have the support necessary to heal while protecting your legal rights.

Who Is Injured in Crane Accidents?

The size of modern cranes make accidents dangerous for anyone in the area when they occur. The people most likely to sustain a crane injury in an accident are:

• Crane operators

• Other workers where the crane is operating

• Visitors to the site

• People passing by the site

A crane accident can occur anywhere a crane operates, such as at a construction site or in a factory.

Who Is Responsible For Crane Accidents?

Determining who is liable after a crane accident can be complicated. Responsible parties could include any of the following:

• Crane owner.

• Crane operator

• Crane manufacturer

• General contractor

• Property owner

Investigation may be necessary to determine which parties were at fault. A qualified crane accident lawyer will look at all of the involved parties and help you present a timely claim against those responsible for your injuries. Fill out the form on this page for a free case evaluation and learn how we can help today.

Crane Accident Compensation

Recovery in crane accident cases has the potential to run into the millions. In one Dallas case, the family of a woman killed by a crane collapse was awarded over $860 million. Because the impacts of crane accident injuries are severe and life altering, the potential for compensation is high compared to other types of personal injury settlements.

On average, a major injury from a crane accident is valued over $200,000. A wrongful death case typically exceeds $4 million.

Victims of crane accidents can seek the following forms of compensation:

• Workers’ compensation. Depending on the nature of your injuries and cause of the accident, you may be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

• Medical expenses. Coverage for hospital bills, surgeries, and ongoing treatment.

• Lost wages. Compensation for time missed from work as a result of the accident.

• Pain and suffering. Damages for physical and emotional distress.

• Disability benefits. Compensation for permanent injuries that affect your ability to work.

• Punitive damages. Additional compensation intended to punish the wrongdoer In cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claim

If you have been injured by a crane accident in the workplace, then you may have been referred for workers’ comp benefits. In many cases, workers’ compensation bars employees from filing a lawsuit against their employer for their injury.

However, crane accidents often involve potential third parties like general contractors, property owners, crane manufacturers, and more. As a result, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a third party even if you are also eligible for workers’ compensation. Fill out the form on this page for a free evaluation of your case.

Time Limit to File a Crane Injury Lawsuit

How much time you have to file a crane accident lawsuit depends on your state’s personal injury statute of limitations. In some states, the deadline can be as short as one year. Failing to file by the deadline can forfeit your right to compensation, so it is important to act promptly.