Posted on Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 at 1:21 am
Many New York City buildings couldn’t have been built without cranes, but while they are useful, they also pose a threat to construction workers and passersby. Crane accidents can injure and even kill people, and the attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP know how to fight for their clients to receive the compensation they deserve. Keep reading to find out more about crane accidents and what to do if you were injured.
How common are crane accidents?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “from 2011 to 2017, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 297 total crane-related deaths, an average of 42 per year over this 7-year period.” While not all of these injuries occurred in New York, it is important to recognize the risks involved with cranes on construction sites. Most often, it is construction workers who are injured or killed as a result of crane accidents, but if a crane collapses, passersby could get injured, too.
How do crane accidents happen?
Crane accidents could be caused by a number of different factors. Sometimes, the crane operator acts recklessly or negligently, causing the machine to malfunction. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identified these as the most common causes of crane accidents:
- Boom or crane contact with energized power lines (nearly 45% of the cases)
- Under the hook lifting device
- Overturned cranes
- Dropped loads
- Boom collapse
- Crushing by the counterweight
Who is liable?
Identifying who should be held liable for the crane accident depends on the nature of the incident. Oftentimes, accidents occur because of negligence in either setting up or operating the crane. Other times, the crane manufacturer could be held strictly liable if the crane operated with a defective part. In that case, you wouldn’t need to prove negligence, only that the crane did not operate as intended or there wasn’t an adequate warning that it may malfunction.
Contact a Crane Accident Attorney in New York City
If you or someone you love has been injured in a crane accident, contact the experienced lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP, by calling (347) 318-9604 for the aggressive and dedicated representation you deserve. We will fight to get you the compensation you need for your injuries.