A crane partially collapsed in Borough Park, Brooklyn, smashing through the roof of an apartment building the afternoon of Aug. 1. According to a report in The Brooklyn Paper, workers were using a boom truck to lift steel beams over a three-story building at 1442 44th Street when a part of the boom broke off. Officials with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) said the beam landed in the backyard of a neighboring home. No injuries were reported as a result of this construction site accident.
Ongoing Investigation
Firefighters, police and paramedics responded to the scene, and all construction workers and residents were accounted for after the crash. By the evening, workers had pulled back the still-intact portion of the boom and moved the truck away from the building. Another crane was brought in to remove the broken portion from the roof, The Brooklyn Paper reports. DOB inspectors were looking into the cause of the collapse and told the media outlet that “enforcement actions are pending the results of the investigation.”
According to city records, the owners of the property filed plans to convert six units into four in 2015. The DOB approved that application in 2018 and has since issued several permits for plumbing and electrical work, which have all since expired, The Brooklyn Paper states, adding that no active construction permits were listed on the department’s website. The building has also racked up a number of citations for doing work without proper permits and doing work deviating from what had been approved. The investigation into this crane collapse is ongoing.
Common Causes of Crane Accidents
Crane collapses are catastrophic events that can result in significant property damage, injuries, and fatalities. Several factors contribute to these incidents including, but not limited to:
- Human error: One of the primary causes of crane collapses is human error. This can include improper crane operation, lack of communication among crew members, or inadequate training. Operators might miscalculate load weights, fail to properly balance loads, or neglect safety protocols, leading to instability and eventual collapse.
- Mechanical failure: Mechanical issues also play a crucial role. Cranes are complex machines with many moving parts that require regular maintenance. Failure to properly maintain the crane can result in worn-out components, such as cables, gears, and hydraulic systems. These failures can lead to sudden and unexpected collapses. Additionally, design flaws or manufacturing defects in the crane can compromise its structural integrity.
- Environmental factors: Weather conditions can significantly impact crane stability. High winds, for example, can sway or tip a crane, especially when lifting heavy loads. Rain, snow, or ice can affect the crane’s traction on the ground or the with its load, increasing the risk of collapse. Ground conditions are also critical; uneven or unstable ground can cause the crane to tip over.
- Load and operational limits: Overloading is a frequent cause of crane collapses. Cranes are designed to lift loads within specific weight limits. Exceeding these limits can overstrain the crane’s structure and lead to failure. Additionally, operating cranes outside of their recommended configurations, such as extending the boom too far without proper counterweights, can also cause instability.
- Inadequate safety inspections: Regular safety inspections are essential to identify potential issues before they lead to collapses. Neglecting these inspections or failing to act on identified problems can allow minor issues to escalate into major failures.
Compensation for Injured Victims
Crane accidents can result in serious injuries not only for construction workers, but also passersby. Injuries from crane collapse accidents can prove catastrophic or even fatal. Injured victims or families of deceased crane accident victims can seek compensation from at-fault parties including but not limited to the construction company, general contractor, subcontractor, building owner, crane operator, maintenance firm, etc. Injured workers can seek workers’ compensation benefits from their employers to help cover medical expenses and a portion of the lost wages.
In addition, workers may also be able to file a third-party claim against a negligent (careless) party other than the employer or co-employees for significant monetary damages and have two sources of compensation available for their losses. Examples of third parties include, but are not limited to, general contractors, construction companies, sub-contractors, building owners, managing agents etc. In cases where a worker dies from injuries suffered on the job, surviving family members may seek death benefits through workers’ compensation and/or file a wrongful death claim against a third party who may be held liable for the fatal incident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. For over 52 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses.
Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job — one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year. Our law firm also recovered $3,000,000 for a man who fell and suffered two broken legs when he walked into an open elevator shaft. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://www.brooklynpaper.com/crane-collapse-borough-park-building/