Cranes are an integral piece of equipment in construction, dismantling, and assembling. A common sight at construction sites, factories, and dockyards, the sheer size and power of a crane means it can seriously injure or kill operators, workers, and pedestrians in a single moment if it is not correctly maintained and operated.
Have you been seriously hurt in a crane accident in NYC? Goidel & Siegel Injury Lawyers are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our law office for a free consultation with a New York crane accident lawyer ready to put 30+ years of experience to work for you.
Between 2011 and 2017, the BLS’s Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reported 297 fatal crane accidents. That is an average of 42 fatal accidents per year. There were also 16 OSHA-reported crane accidents in 2019 alone that caused injury or death.
43% of these fatal crane accidents happened in the private construction industry, with specialty trade contractors and heavy and civil engineering construction having the highest number of deaths. Manufacturing accounted for 24% of fatal crane accidents.
While crane accidents represent a low share of construction accidents, they are often very serious. Crane accidents have a high risk of causing serious or catastrophic injury or death to the operator and anyone nearby. About half of the workers fatally injured were crane operators, while 31% were in extraction or construction fields.
New York tied with Florida for the second-highest number of fatal crane accidents between 2011 and 2017 after Texas. Both states had 16 fatal crane injuries while Texas had 50.
About half of fatal accidents involving cranes happen when a worker is struck by an object or equipment. Most of these accidents occurred when the worker was hit by a falling object, usually, an object put into motion or falling from a crane.
About 13% of fatal crane-related injuries are caused by transportation accidents and 14% of deaths are due to a fall to a lower level.
More specific causes of crane accidents include:
After you (or your loved one) are involved in a crane accident, there are several things you should do to both get the workers’ compensation you deserve and preserve your opportunity to seek additional compensation.
To file for workers’ compensation benefits, you must report your injuries to your employer. You may need to see a company-approved doctor to qualify for your workers’ comp benefits, so unless your injuries are life-threatening, you should report the accident even before you seek medical attention.
Go to whichever doctor your employer directs you to right away. Workers’ compensation claims are often very time-sensitive, so don’t waste any time before seeking medical attention, even if your injuries don’t seem that severe. Besides, your injuries could be much worse than you realize, so it’s best to see a doctor as soon as you can after your accident.
Your employer will likely have you fill out an incident report with all the details about how the accident happened. Keep a copy of the incident report, take pictures or videos of the accident scene if you can, and keep any other evidence about the accident. You may need it to get the full benefit of your workers’ compensation, and it will come in handy if you decide to pursue additional compensation.
The expert New York construction accident lawyers at Goidel & Siegel have more than 30 years of experience getting justice for people who were injured at their workplace. The workers’ compensation system has a lot of rules and limitations. The lawyers at Goidel & Siegel may be able to help you get additional compensation outside of what workers’ comp is willing to provide.
Insurance companies and defense lawyers know we are willing to go to trial if that’s what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve, so they are more likely to offer good settlements.
We meet with you however you’re comfortable, including Zoom meetings, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation. You only pay us if we get you money, so there’s no risk to you.
There are many variables in each crane accident case. The parties most commonly held liable in New York City crane accidents include:
The experienced New York construction accident lawyers at Goidel & Siegel have decades of experience with this area of the law and know who can be held liable in each case, so schedule a free consultation to discuss your crane accident.
The primary source of compensation after a construction accident is workers’ compensation. In New York, this no-fault system entitles injured workers to benefits without proving negligence. However, your benefits are mostly limited to medical expenses, lost wages, and disability. The lost earnings you can recover are capped at two-thirds of your wages with a maximum limit. You cannot recover compensation for pain and suffering and other losses through workers’ compensation.
At Goidel & Siegel, we are prepared to pursue the full compensation you deserve by exploring other avenues for compensation. You may be entitled to seek additional compensation through a third-party injury claim if someone other than your employer or co-worker caused your accident. This can include a negligent driver, contractor, or manufacturer.
You may also be entitled to hold the property owner or general contractor liable for your other losses under New York Labor Law. A Labor Law claim, like a third-party injury claim, does not impact your workers’ comp benefits but may entitle you to additional damages.
Labor Law 200 requires that you be provided with a reasonably safe worksite. You have the right to a safe workplace free of hazards and defects that can be predicted and controlled.
Under Labor Law 241, you have the right to proper safety equipment to perform your job. This may include eye protection, hearing protection, fall protection, and protection from falling objects.
Goidel & Siegel has represented injured construction workers for more than 30 years. We are prepared to assist with everything from filing your workers’ comp claim and representing you in hearings and appeals to pursuing additional compensation through NY Labor Law and third-party claims.
We understand just how devastating a crane accident can be and that you are relying on your benefits and potential claims to safeguard your health and financial future. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with our New York crane accident lawyers to find out how our multilingual trial lawyers can help.
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