Seeking Compensation for Crane Accidents

Cranes are often used in a variety of industries in New York, including on construction sites and in marine terminals. They have proven to be useful tools that help build skyscrapers, fix bridges, and load barges, to list just a few of their applications. Although useful, cranes can prove to be extremely dangerous. Construction site accidents involving cranes are often times very serious and have the potential to result in significant injuries and extensive property damage.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, there are close to 80 crane-related fatalities a year in the United States. A crane dropping an item or a load was the most common reason for an injury or death. Workers being caught in a crane, falling from a crane, or being electrocuted on a crane were other causes of injuries. Cranes can be knocked over by the wind or tip over because they are too top-heavy.
Construction workers operating the crane must be well-trained and knowledgeable about all the required safety standards that go with using this type of equipment as delineated by the United States Department of Labor Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA). If an accident occurs because the crane operator made an error in judgment or did not follow the safety rules, that worker may be liable for any injuries or property damages caused. The company overseeing the construction may also be held responsible.
A worker injured in a crane accident because of failure to follow safety standards or due to faulty equipment can seek workers compensation benefits from the construction company. Some crane accidents occur when there is no worker behind the controls. For example, a crane might tip during heavy winds or inclement weather. In this case, the company running the construction site could be held responsible for any resulting damage or injury.
Injuries suffered in a crane accident can often be very serious and can include head trauma, broken bones, and in some cases, death. A worker injured because of a crane accident may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, lost wages and benefits, medical bills, hospitalization costs, and past and future pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York construction accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker who was injured on the job – one of the highest construction case verdicts in New York in 2010. Please call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in 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.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com