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Crane Accident Lawyer NYC

Crane Accident Lawyer in New York City

New York City would not be New York City without numerous cranes dotting its skyline. Unfortunately, however, when one of these behemoths malfunctions, tips over, or crashes, its size and weight can cause serious injuries, death and property damage. 

If you become injured in one of these potentially devastating occurrences at a construction site, your wisest course of action is to contact an experienced crane accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.

Crane Accident Causes

Per the Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau (CICB), the number of crane accident injuries continues to rise, with human error responsible for 90% of them.

Specific statistics include the following:

  • 80% of all crane upsets happen because the operator exceeded the crane’s operational capacity.
  • 54% of crane accidents result from the failure to fully extend the outriggers before lifting the load.
  • 45% of mobile crane accidents result in electrocution when the crane comes into contact with a power source.
  • 40% of crane accident victims receive their injuries when struck by an object, such as a crane part or an out-of-control hoisted load.

Construction Worker Remedies

Nationwide, 80 construction workers die each year in a crane accident. Many more sustain serious, possibly catastrophic, injuries. In New York, you must make a workers’ compensation claim if you are an injured construction worker whose employer has workers’ compensation coverage. New York crane accident lawyers can help you file your claim and represent you at the workers’ compensation hearings.

As a construction worker, you can only file a personal injury lawsuit under very limited circumstances, including such things as the following:

  • Your employer violated federal or state safety rules.
  • A defective tool or piece of equipment caused the accident.
  • The crane operator was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.

If your employer does not provide you with workers’ compensation coverage, you then have the same right to file a personal injury lawsuit as an injured bystander. 

Possible Defendants

A construction worker or bystander, possible defendants in a personal injury lawsuit arising from injuries sustained in a New York City crane accidents can include the following:

  • Property owner
  • Construction company
  • Project management company
  • Contractor or subcontractor
  • Inspector
  • Governmental agency
  • Crane manufacturer
  • Crane operator

Keep in mind that any number of people or entities can bear partial responsibility for a crane accident. Our New York construction accident lawyers can help you establish fault, so you know which negligent parties to sue.

Proof of Negligence

As your experienced crane accident lawyer will no doubt tell you, negligence forms the basis of virtually all personal injury lawsuits, including those arising from crane accidents at construction sites.

In general, you must prove the following in order to prevail in your negligence-based lawsuit:

  • The defendant owed you a legal duty of care.
  • He, she or it breached that duty.
  • You suffered an injury as a result of the breach.
  • The breach was the proximate cause of your injuries.
  • Your injury resulted in compensable damages that the defendant must pay.

Compensable Damages

Your New York crane accident attorney becomes your greatest ally in pursuing both types of compensable damages: economic and noneconomic.

Economic Damages

Your economic damages include such expenses as the following:

  • Ambulance transportation
  • Hospital treatment
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Surgery
  • Prescription medications
  • Physical therapy

They also include the number of wages or salaries you lose while recuperating from your injuries. In calculating your economic damages, your New York crane accident lawyer will include not only your expenses and loss of wages to date but also those you can expect to incur in the future.

Noneconomic Damages

Your non-economic damages are more subjective in nature and include such things as the following:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional and mental anguish
  • Resulting in conditions like PTSD, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, etc.
  • Loss of identity from having to use a wheelchair or a prosthesis in order to get around
  • Embarrassment over disfiguring scars
  • Loss of your ability to fully enjoy your life

Punitive Damages

Your crane accident lawyer NYC may also seek punitive damages for you if the defendant’s acts or failure to act rise to the level of egregious behavior. Unlike compensatory damages that compensate you for your lost wages and other expenses, punitive damages punish the defendant.

Choice of Crane Accident Lawyer

When you seek an experienced crane accident lawyer, come to William Schwitzer & Associates. We have been protecting the rights of injured clients for many years and have established an impressive record of large settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. Our team of knowledgeable and compassionate lawyers stands ready, willing and able to help you get the compensation you need, deserve, and to which you’re entitled.

Crane Accident Lawyer in New York City

Crane Accident Lawyer in New York City

If you live in New York, you are likely familiar with the use of cranes on construction sites, especially in New York City. Unfortunately, crane accidents happen and even the most minor oversight in use or flaw in the crane’s design can lead to severe injuries or death for construction workers, crane operators, and bystanders.

If you sustained an injury or lost a loved one in an avoidable crane accident, you may benefit from speaking to New York crane accident lawyers about the details of your case. 

Common Causes of Crane Accidents

Common Causes of Crane Accidents

A New York crane accident attorney has experience dealing with the aftermath of construction site injuries. Unfortunately, accidents involving mobile and tower cranes account for many crane accident cases.

Some common causes of crane accidents include:

  • Coming into contact with electrical power lines. A crane must maintain a minimum of six feet of distance from power lines, even when the line is not in service. Failure to do so endangers the lives of crane operators.
  • Oversized load. Exceeding the weight limitations of the crane can cause catastrophic consequences.
  • Improper installation or use of equipment. Many factors play a role in maintaining safe conditions for crane use. When ignored, it endangers the safety of everyone involved.
  • Miscommunication among workers. The lines of communication while a crane is in use require planning and strict adherence to protocol. Failure to do so could result in any of the other causes listed above. 

If you hire a crane accident attorney to evaluate the details of your case, they may recognize negligence in places where you did not. Consider a risk-free consultation to answer any questions about your crane accident injuries and how they relate to workers’ compensation or liability laws

Determining Liability in a Crane Accident

Determining Liability in a Crane Accident

One of the first steps that New York crane accident attorneys will take while investigating your case is determining who is liable for the accident and your resulting injuries. Accidents are typically the result of human error, often by the crane operator or other construction workers.

However, given the specific circumstances of your accident, there are multiple parties with the potential to carry responsibility.

For example, if your accident occurred because the operator misused the equipment, liability may fall on the operator or the company that employs the operator. If improper warning signage contributed to your accident, authorities on the construction site may be liable.

Perhaps the equipment malfunctions. In that case, you may file a claim against the manufacturer. Speak with NYC crane accident lawyers today if you need help evaluating the details of your case and determining who is at fault.

How a New York Crane Accident Lawyer Can Help You

How a New York Crane Accident Lawyer Can Help You

One of the first steps that New York crane accident attorneys will take while investigating your case is determining who is liable for the accident and your resulting injuries. Accidents are typically the result of human error, often by the crane operator or other construction workers.

However, given the specific circumstances of your accident, there are multiple parties with the potential to carry responsibility.

For example, if your accident occurred because the operator misused the equipment, liability may fall on the operator or the company that employs the operator. If improper warning signage contributed to your accident, authorities on the construction site may be liable.

Perhaps the equipment malfunctions. In that case, you may file a claim against the manufacturer. Speak with NYC crane accident lawyers today if you need help evaluating the details of your case and determining who is at fault.