Bronx Crane Accident Lawyer

Suffering a crane accident injury can be a frightening experience. There are state and federal rules and regulations that were put in place to protect construction workers from work-related accidents. Despite these laws terrible accidents still take place. In fact, one of the worst construction site accidents in New York history involved the collapse of a crane that was being used to construct a high-rise building. Usually a crane injury is very serious and can result in injuries to the back, head, and spine. If your or a family member suffered serious injuries in a crane accident, immediately speak with an experienced Bronx crane accident lawyer as you may be eligible to receive substantial compensation for your injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Causes of Crane Accidents

Like all other heavy construction equipment, cranes are inherently dangerous. In order to operate a crane, you must be trained and operators must adhere to state and federal safety requirements. Common causes of crane accidents include:

Rigging failures. Cranes move extremely heavy loads. If they aren’t properly secured, a rigging failure can occur and the results can be disastrous.
Mechanical failure. If a crane is not properly maintained, mechanical failures can occur. When such a huge, heavy piece of equipment fails, especially if it is carry a heavy load, victims can suffer serious injuries.
Dropped loads. Failure to understand the crane’s capacity or failure to have the proper training are just two reasons for dropped loads.
Boom collapse. The crane boom is the long arm that is attached to the crane cab. It is the part of the crane that used to lift heavy objects. If the boom collapse, the entire crane may come toppling down.

In 2008 there was a tragic crane accident in New York. A tower crane was being used for the construction of a high-rise building. The crane collapsed, killing 7 people and injuring several more people. The accident happened when the crane toppled when a steel collar used to tie the crane to the side of the building fell as workers attempted to install it. Victims of this accident filed claims against a number of defendants, including contractors and the manufacturers of the crane. Cabukyuksel v. Ascot Props. LLC (N.Y. Sup. Ct., 2011).

Pursuant to OSHA regulations, employees have specific rules and guidelines that must be followed when using cranes including:

If a crane cannot maintain a safe visual clearance, a person must be designated to observe the proper clearance;
Do not use a cage-type boom guards, proximity warning devices, or insulating links as a substitute for grounded and de-energizing lines;
Electrical and transmission lines must be de-energized;
If lines are not de-energized, cranes can only be operated in a safe distance can be maintained;
Insulated barriers that are not part of the crane must be used to prevent contact with power lines.

Pursuing a Claim

If you were injured in a crane accident, contact an experienced Bronx crane accident lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation to cover your losses. However, there are several factors that will determine the type of compensation and the amount. Through a personal injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation that covers your medical expenses, your lost wages, and your pain and suffering.

However, if you were an employee who was injured while on the job, you may be subject to workers compensation. The amount that you may be able recover from workers compensation is limited. However, depending on how the accident occurred and who was responsible, you may be entitled to receive compensation outside of workers compensation benefits. Thus, if you were injured in a crane accident, contact an experienced crane accident attorney in the Bronx. Workers compensation rules are complicated. It’s important to discuss your case with experienced representation.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you or a loved one was injured in a crane accident, contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates. With over 20 years of successfully representing victims injured in serious accidents, we have the knowledge and resources to help ensure that you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled. Contact an experienced crane accident attorney serving the Bronx at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent injured victims in the following locations: Bronx, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, and Queens.