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Brooklyn Crane Accident Lawyer

7.18.2022 Brian O'Connor Category: Construction Accidents

Crane Accident Attorney in Brooklyn

One of the most dangerous types of construction accidents is a crane accident.  According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over a multi-year period of a study, roughly 300 construction accident deaths were attributed to crane accidents.  There are several reasons why crane collapses and accidents are so dangerous.  The overarching reason is due to the fact that most crane accidents involve being struck by, falling, or being crushed by a crane or an object that is being moved by the crane.  These three common causes, along with electrocution, are known as the “fatal four” or the most common causes of construction worker deaths.  If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a construction accident involving a large crane or another similar machine, call our Brooklyn crane accident lawyer to learn what rights to compensation you may have under New York law.

Here at the O’Connor Law Firm, our experienced construction accident lawyer handles nearly all types of construction or worksite accidents that cause catastrophic personal injury or wrongful death.  We are dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and their families, working hard for you to investigate what happened and who may be at fault, establishing liability, and fighting to obtain the compensation that you deserve.  Unfortunately, most construction accident cases are hotly contested and crane collapses are one of the most difficult types of cases.  Therefore, if you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of crane accident, learn how our experienced Brooklyn crane accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation that you deserve.

Types of Crane Accidents in New York

constructionThere are many different types of crane accidents that could cause serious personal injuries or wrongful death.  The most obvious types of crane accidents involve gravity-related accidents, which includes falling from or being hit by a falling object.  However, there are many other reasons why crane accidents could happen.

Some of the most common causes of crane accidents include the following:

Victims Falling

There are two reasons why a victim may fall in a crane accident.  The first is when the crane is being used to lift and object up (such as construction materials or beams).  A crane operator could accidents swing or cause the crane to strike the victim or something that the victim is standing on (such as a platform, scaffolding, or ladder) and case the victim to fall.  These types of crane accidents could cause catastrophic injuries to a victim, particularly brain and spinal cord injuries.

Second, a person could be injured in a crane accident when his or her employer, foreman, or contractor directed or instructed a worker to use a crane in an inappropriate manner.  This includes a person climbing on the boom of the crane to work at an elevated height, or where a person is lifted up after standing on an object lifted by the crane to an elevated height (i.e., sitting or standing on a platform that is raised by the crane.  If a worker is inappropriately on the crane and suffers a serious injury, that is another way that a crane accident could happen and result in serious personal injuries.

Hit by a Falling Object

Another obvious dangerous with cranes is the fact that they are often lifting heavy objects high in the air.  Although this is the most common reason for using a crane, it creates a risk of being hit by a falling object.  That falling object could be from an object that breaks away, slips, or is pushed free with the wind. 

Sometimes this is due to negligence in the way that the object is lashed and secured, but other times the negligence is just operating the crane in inclement or dangerous weather.  Victims who are hit by falling tools, machinery, beams, construction materials, or other objects may suffer serious or fatal injuries and should call our Brooklyn crane accident lawyer for help.

Struck By an Object

Cranes are also dangerous because victims could be struck by an object.  While the most obvious risk of being struck by an object is by something that falls off the crane like hoisted materials, the crane itself poses a very dangerous and real risk of being hit by an object.

This is because cranes have counterbalances, with some counterbalances being larger and heavier than all other parts of the crane.  The counterbalance is meant to do exactly what it sounds like – counter the weight at the other end of the crane being hoisted up to balance the crane and the object, preventing the crane from toppling over or collapsing.

These counterbalances are very dangerous and can swing wildly on the back of the crane.  A crane operator who is turning aggressively or does not properly clear space could strike other individuals can cause serious personal injuries or the wrongful death of a construction worker who is completing a job nearby.  This includes where other workers are around the crane to help guard against other hazards like weather, or when they are helping a crane move or get unstuck.

Were You or a Loved One Seriously Injured in a Crane Accident?  Call Our Brooklyn Crane Accident Lawyer for Help

Victims who are hurt in a crane accident have a very difficult type of construction accident, generally because most defense firms and adjusters will do every thing they can to avoid paying you compensation.  But New York’s Labor Laws provide certain protections for injured workers, including in crane accidents.  If you were injured in any type of construction accident in New York, particularly right here in Staten Island, Brooklyn, New York City, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, and in surrounding areas, please call our Brooklyn crane accident lawyer to schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about your rights.

We can help you and your family recover the compensation that you deserve under the law.  To learn more about how we can help you and your family recover compensation, call the O’Connor Law Firm by dialing (718) 948-3500 or by sending us an email through our “Contact Us” box available here.  We are here to help you and your family move forward.