While this construction accident reportedly did not result in major injuries or fatalities, it did cast a spotlight on past deadly crane collapses. Some of these previous crane accidents involved people who are connected to the most recent Manhattan accident, the news article stated. Two of New York City’s most disastrous crane accidents happened in 2008. Nine people died then, pushing the city to overhaul its crane inspection and regulation processes.
Later that same year, a construction worker fell to his death while helping dismantle a crane. One of the crane operators/owners in the incident had his license suspended for eight months and has been identified as the same man operating the crane that caught fire and collapsed in Manhattan on July 26.
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, neither the crane company nor its operator have been publicly accused of wrongdoing, ABC reports. City council members have raised concerns about a crane company that was cited for past safety failures and being linked to another major incident. After the 2008 crane accidents, New York adopted a series of crane safety requirements including multiple city-specific licenses and high insurance liability.
There are many reasons why crane accidents occur. When a crane is not properly loaded or is overloaded, there is a chance that it may buckle or cause the boom to collapse. One reason why a boom collapses is lack of proper assembly. This is often true when the crane doesn’t have proper supports to help stabilize its load.
Proper employee training is also critical when it comes to safe crane operation. When employees are inexperienced or don’t receive sufficient training, there is an increased risk of a crane accident. Workers should have also completed safety courses pertaining to crane operation. In any worksite, it is important that the crane components have been regularly inspected and maintained. Failure to do so may result in mechanical failure. Crane collapses also occur during inclement weather such as high winds, especially when cranes are not properly secured.
Construction workers, bystanders or passersby injured by accidents involving falling equipment, debris or poorly maintained equipment should understand they have legal rights. Workers who have been injured in crane accidents may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, which covers medical expenses and a portion of 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.
For over 51 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction-related 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, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
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.
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Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/new-york-city-crane-collapse-linked-company-operator-101745642