Many New York City buildings couldn’t have been built without cranes, but while they are useful, they threaten the safety of 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 learn more about what to do if 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 these injuries occurred in New York, it is important to recognize the risks involved with cranes on construction sites. Construction workers are often injured or killed, but if a crane collapses, passersby could get injured, too.
How do crane accidents happen?
Many different factors could cause crane accidents. 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. Accidents often occur because of negligence in 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, 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.