Victims of a construction accident or heavy equipment accident know how severe these types of injuries can be. While there are plenty of safety laws and regulations in place to protect construction workers, these accidents happen frequently with devastating results. Accidents that take place at a construction site by their very nature are often severe, and at times deadly. A head injury or traumatic brain injury, or a severe back injury including a fracture spine, paraplegia or quadriplegia can result leaving the victim to contend with surgery, medical costs and the inability to return to work. If you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident that involved a crane, it is important that you immediately speak with an experienced Suffolk County crane accident lawyer who will review your case and work hard to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Crane safetyJust like other types of heavy construction equipment, cranes are quite dangerous. If an operator is not properly trained, or if appropriate safety measures are not followed, then the result can be a catastrophic accident.
For example, federal and local safety regulations require that before a crane is used, there be proper clearance. This is to ensure that the crane does not hit a structure. Another requirement is that power lines near the crane must be de-energized, or the crane must not be operated near those lines. Otherwise, there is a risk of the crane hitting a live power line, leading to accidental electrocution.
Pursuing a claim for a crane accident injuryBecause of the size and weights of cranes, when victims are injured in crane-related accidents, the injuries tend to be severe. For example, a load dropped from a crane because it was not properly secured by may result in a traumatic brain injury. If a crane his a structure, causing the structure to collapse victims may suffer a variety of serious injuries including head, back and neck injuries as well as broken bones.
Victims seriously injured in crane accidents are entitled to compensation for the expenses and losses related to the injuries suffered in the accident such as medical bills. However, as a crane accident attorney in Suffolk County will explain, the type of compensation available and its source depends largely on whether the victim was working at the construction site at the time of the accident, or whether the victim was a bystander.
Construction workers injured while worker are entitled to workers' compensation benefits. The benefits available under workers' compensation include medical care for the injuries suffered in the accident. Injured workers are also entitled to a cash benefit equal to a portion of the worker's average weekly wage. Because the law requires employers to purchase workers' compensation insurance to ensure that workers injured while working would have these benefits, the law also prohibits injured workers from filing personal injury lawsuits against their employers based on a negligence claim.
On the other hand, if you were injured in a construction accident and your were not a worker, then you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the construction company, the property owner, the crane operator, the crane manufacturer, or anyone else whose negligent actions led to the crane accident that injured you. Compensation from a personal injury claim may include your past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of future earning potential, and pain and suffering.
Far too often victims are killed in crane accidents. If a worker is killed, his (or her) family may be eligible for workers' compensation death benefits. If the family member that died in the crane accident was not a worker, the family may have the right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
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 a crane accident attorney serving Suffolk County with experience. 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.