New York City Crane Accident Lawyers

Crane operators and owners have been in the news due to serious crane accidents in New York City in recent years. See https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160205/tribeca/history-of-nyc-crane-accidents-over-last-10-years

Throughout the United States of America, more than 125,000 cranes are in operation at construction sites across America. Cranes are vital to efficient construction but are also very dangerous.

Types of Crane Accidents Handled by NYC construction accident attorneys

• a worker fall from a crane
• crane collapse
• boom of the crane falling or collapsing
• crane dropping a load it was holding
• crane overturning
• crane rigging problems
• failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions and specifications for use of the crane
• uneven work surface under the crane; debris next to, under, and or around the crane
• negligent crane set up
• weather conditions may affect the stability of the crane such as high winds
• selecting the wrong crane for the particular construction job being performed
• overloading the crane with excessive weight
• failing to maintain, inspect, and repair the crane regularly

Common Construction Worker Injuries Suffered in a Crane Accident

• objects being hoisted or moved falling from the crane and striking workers
• electrocution such as when a crane comes into contact with power lines
• spinal cord injury or brain injury

In one recent year alone, over three hundred injuries and two hundred deaths were attributed to crane accidents. Crane Accidents account for more than twenty percent of all construction site fatalities. Cranes present a danger to the crane operator, other construction workers on the site, and even visitors, bystanders, pedestrians, inspectors, and others in close proximity. As the biggest piece of construction equipment on a job site, cranes cause more construction accidents than any other type of heavy construction equipment.

Cranes at construction sites will always present a danger even if all safety rules are strictly followed which usually is not the case. Crane Accidents result in life altering injuries. Contact a New York City law firm that specializes in all types of construction site accidents including crane accidents. F&A Injury Law can be reached at (212) 222-1111.

Construction workers are some of the hardest working employees in the New York City area; unfortunately, they’re also some of the most prone to injury. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction jobs are some of the nation’s most deadly, behind only logging and deep-sea fishing. Construction workers are most likely to incur serious injuries and death in the following instances:

• Falling from great height
• Struck by an object
• Caught in-between or under an object, and
• Electrocution

It’s easy to see how cranes could play a role in these dangerous scenarios. Each year, workers sustain serious and permanently disabling injuries in accidents involving heavy machinery like cranes. These accidents are often preventable, and some may give rise to a negligence claim. Any number of individuals could be responsible, from the manufacturer of the crane to its owner or operator.

Possible Negligent Parties in Crane Accidents

New York law prohibits employees from suing their employers for negligence in exchange for no-fault workers’ compensation benefits. However, one entity is rarely responsible for construction sites. On any given day, there may be several subcontractors and vendors working together at once. These third parties can commit negligence that provides the basis for a personal injury claim. Here are some examples:

• Issues with the crane itself. Injuries can result when a manufacturer defectively produced a crane or if the crane has an inherent flaw in its design. In this case, we may be able to pursue a product liability claim against the company who produced or sold the equipment.
• Negligence of the owner/operator. If the worker operating the crane wasn’t careful in its use, and a third party employs this person, it could give rise to a negligence claim against the owner/operator of the equipment.
• Inadequate training or supervision. An accident may occur when the operator’s employer failed to provide adequate training in its use.
• Failure to maintain the equipment. Sophisticated machinery like cranes require diligent maintenance and care to avoid malfunctioning. When something as large as a crane malfunctions, it can lead to serious injury and death.
• Improper use or operation. Cranes have different weight limits and other limitations that owner/operators must follow to reduce the risk of injury.

Any of these situations can be dangerous and lead to a third-party negligence claim. The most important thing you can do is seek assistance from a knowledgeable construction accident attorney as soon as possible.

What to Do After a Construction Accident in New York City

If you or a loved one sustained a serious injury in a crane accident, take the following steps:

• Inform your employers and ask them to file a report for your workers’ compensation claim. This will help provide benefits for your medical care and recoup a portion of your lost wages.
• Seek appropriate medical care. Talk to your employer and see if you need to see an in-network doctor. Keep all your follow-up appointments.
• Schedule a free initial consultation with Frekhtman & Associates. We have a long history of protecting New York construction workers and holding third parties accountable for their negligence. We conduct a thorough investigation and demand compensation on your behalf to pay for lost wages, pain, and suffering.

For more information or to schedule your free case evaluation, please contact us.