In 2016 2 workers in Queens were killed when a 6500 pounds beam that were being lifted by a crane fell, crushing the crane operator cab. Cranes are common in construction sites. Cranes are an essential piece of equipment for the construction of high rise apartment buildings and office buildings. They are also often necessary for the repair of tall structures such as buildings, monuments and bridges. While cranes are essential to real estate development, they are also one of the most dangerous types of construction equipment. Cranes carry heavy loads that dangle hundreds of feet in the air. Crane accidents can be highly destructive and spectacular. In some instances crane construction accidents have caused major parts of building to collapse. In other cases loads from cranes have dropped hundreds of feet. In still other cases cranes have toppled on top of workers and bystanders. Crane accidents do not usually result in minor scrapes and bruises. Instead, victims of crane accident suffer serious life-threatening injuries such as spinal cord injuries that leave the victim with some sort of paralysis . In other cases the victim suffers a severe head or brain injury that can lead to life-long cognitive problems. Sadly, as was the case in the 2016 Queens crane accident, it is not uncommon for crane accidents to be fatal. In addition to the pain and suffering that accompanies a serious injury or the loss of a loved one, crane accidents leave victims and their families with financial problems stemming from substantial medical bills and a loss of income. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you or a loved one was injured in an accident that involved a crane, it is important that you immediately speak with an experienced Queens construction accident attorney who will review your case and work hard to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Types of crane accidentsEven though there are state and federal laws as well as industry regulations that require the implementation of safety standards, each year people are hurt in crane accidents. While there are a number of reasons that cranes fail, one of the top reasons is a rigging failure. A rigging failure occurs when the rope or cable and shackles used to hold a load somehow breaks. Typically when there is a rigging failure it occurs after the crane operator has lifted the load. The weight of the load, coupled with the failure of the load to be properly secured causes the load to fall. While in some cases the load falls without injuring anyone, in other cases the load lands on the crane operator cab, on workers, or on bystanders. The weight of the load—sometimes thousands of pounds, coupled with the speed at which it falls results in the victims to suffering devastating injuries.
Other types of crane accidents include overturning, boom buckling, the crane coming in contact with power lines, dropped loads, and workers falling from cranes.
Pursuing a claimLike most other accidents, crane accidents are typically caused by negligence such as a lack of proper safety training, operator error, improper setup, poor weather conditions, and failure to follow manufacturer operating instructions. Whether you were working at a construction site when you were injured in a crane accident, or were a bystander, the law is on your side. New York personal injury law gives victims of accidents caused by the negligence of another person the right to demand compensation for the losses suffered.
Losses that victims experience from crane accidents start with medical expenses. The types of medical expenses that may be compensable include fees associated with:
Victims of crane accidents tend to miss a lot of work as they recover from their injuries. Wages and compensation are also compensable expenses:
If your family member was killed in a crane accident, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
If the crane accident occurred while you were working at the construction site, then your accident may be covered by New York workers' compensation rules. This means that you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one was injured in a crane accident, it is important that you are represented by someone with experienced. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates has experience successfully representing clients injured in construction accidents, as well as vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents and other types of accidents caused by negligence. In addition, we have the resources to handle complex construction accident cases. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.