New York Crane Accident Lawyer

Crane accidents in New York are rare. Even so, New York still has an incident rate that is higher than many states in the country. This seemingly high crane accident rate is due to the ongoing construction activities in the state. 

When crane accidents do occur, they are almost always fatal. If the victims survive, they are very likely to sustain severe injuries that can put them out of work or leave them with serious disabilities.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident in New York, the skilled crane accident lawyers of Hill & Moin LLP can help you seek adequate benefits and secure the compensation you deserve. To learn more, call us at (212) 668-6000 for a free consultation today.

Causes of Crane Accidents in New York

Crane accidents in New York are mostly caused by carelessness, negligence, and a lack of attention by the crane operators, construction companies, and others. Some of the more common causes of crane accidents include:

• Reduced number of crane inspectors
• Poor inspection, maintenance, and safety compliance protocols
• Not following the crane manufacturer’s assembly or dismantling protocols
• Boom or crane making contact with live power lines
• Safety inspectors not spotting the risk of a crane making contact with power lines
• Defective crane equipment or installation
• Crane malfunction, hoist failure, or poorly stabilized outriggers
• Dropped loads
• Shortage of adequately trained and experienced crane operators
• Lack of safety training or protocols
• Construction companies taking shortcuts just so they can save some money
• Poor or bad weather conditions
• Counterweight crushing
• Boom or crane failure
• Improper use of the crane or usage outside of manufacturer’s specifications
• Fallen debris near or around the crane
• Improper setup of the crane
• Boom or crane collapse

One of the major causes of crane accidents is the crane’s contact with power lines, which then shorts the electricity to the ground. Crane operators and other bystanders typically end up being electrocuted or suffering electrical burns to their bodies.

Also, some crane accidents may occur when slipped loads strike construction workers, construction workers are trapped inside the swing radius, or bad weather conditions cause the crane to topple. If you have sustained any personal injury in a crane accident in New York, you should reach out to New York City-based personal injury firm, Hill & Moin LLP.

Our New York crane accident lawyers are well-versed in construction site accident cases. When we take your case, we can explain what your options are and help you secure the compensation that you seek. 

Injuries Sustained in Crane Accidents in New York

Sadly, the average crane accident claims at least one person’s life. One of the reasons why severe injuries are sustained in crane accidents is the sheer size of the equipment. Compared to humans, cranes are massive in size and can cause significant damage to nearby structures. 

Some of the common injuries that crane accidents cause include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Brain damage
• Multiple fractures
• Organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Electrocution and/or burns
• Back injuries
• Temporary or permanent full or partial paralysis
• Crush injuries
• Limb amputation
• Death

The crane operator, construction workers, bystanders, and occupants of nearby buildings are all at risk in the event of a crane malfunction. Crane accident injuries can be catastrophic and may require extensive medical care, or can even cause death. 

The costs of medical treatment, associated lost wages, and rehabilitative care can be very steep and usually more than most people can afford. This can be overwhelming for a crane operator or any other victim of the accident.

Therefore, you need the help of an experienced New York crane accident lawyer to secure the compensation you need to take care of your medical bills. You will also need a fair sum to make up for any loss of income and perhaps any pain and suffering you are going through.

Let Hill & Moin LLP, a New York City-based construction accident law firm, help you. Every construction accident lawyer on our team understands the complexities of crane accident cases and can work with you to pursue the compensation you deserve. 

What Are the Grounds On Which You May Be Entitled To Compensation

There are multiple grounds on which you may file a claim if you have been in a crane accident. 

If you were engaged in construction work at the construction site at the time of the crane accident, you may be entitled to compensation if there was a violation of the New York Labor Law. Particularly, the general contractor or landowner may be strictly liable to you if there was a failure to provide proper safety protections or fall protections that would have prevented injury caused by a crane accident. These parties may also be liable if there was a violation of the New York Industrial Code or a failure to provide you with a safe place to work.

If you were present at the construction site, but were not engaged in construction, you may still be entitled to compensation if the at-fault party was negligent in causing or failing to take necessary actions to prevent the crane accident that caused your injuries.

You do not have to be actively engaged at the construction site to qualify. As long as you have legitimate reasons to be at the construction site, you may be able to file a claim.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a crane accident, you can file claims and/or damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Every crane operator or construction worker who is injured in connection with a crane can file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s insurance company. 

That is not all. New York’s laws also protect firefighters, police officers, delivery workers, and anyone who has legal rights to be on the construction site or around the area. For example, cranes have devastatingly been known to fall on top of occupied residential properties.

You should not have to suffer because someone refused to do his or her job correctly. If you would like to know more about your chances of successfully filing a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit for your injuries, get in touch with the New York City-based construction attorneys, Hill & Moin LLP. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers can provide legal guidance and support, as well as guide you through the entire process. 

What Types of Crane Accident Claims Can You File in New York?

People who are injured in crane accidents have access to various types of damages. Benefits  may include present and future medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, property damage, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic losses. Let us take a look at each of these claims.

Workers’ compensation claim benefits

The New York State labor laws protect all categories of workers including undocumented or other immigrant workers. Workers who suffer a personal injury caused by a crane accident can file a personal injury claim or a workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s insurance company.

All construction companies operating in the State of New York are required to carry a workers’ insurance policy meant for workers who sustain an injury on the job. Workers’ compensation is meant to provide relief for the economic costs brought on by the crane accident.

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation benefits do not compensate you for pain and suffering.  If you want to know more about your legal options, you can talk to an experienced crane accident attorney at Hill & Moin LLP today.

Personal injury lawsuits against third parties

In New York, you may file both a workers’ compensation and a lawsuit against third-party entities, but you cannot bring a claim directly against your employer. 

However, your options may not be restricted to work comp benefits. In crane accidents, liability may be established against multiple parties including general contractors and landowners.

Your lawyer can file a third-party claim against all liable parties for your injury. These third parties may include:

• General contractors or subcontractors
• Safety inspection personnel or organization
• The crane’s manufacturers
• The company in charge of the crane’s maintenance
• Property owners or managers

Wrongful death claim

If your loved one was killed in the crane accident, the legal representative of the estate can bring a wrongful death claim against all responsible parties. Wrongful death claims in New York are complex and are best handled by experienced attorneys who understand how to navigate the process.

We know that these various compensation terms and processes are difficult to understand. Our knowledgeable construction accident lawyers at Hill & Moin LLP can help you understand them. If you want to know more about your options, feel free to get in touch with us today.

How Much Can You Receive In Compensation Benefits or Settlement Proceeds From a New York Crane Accident Case?

Every crane accident is different. There is no set amount that you may receive. It is not like a department store where you can go in and pick up your items at a certain price. Settlement amounts in crane accidents often depend on a few factors. 

These factors may include:

• The extent of your injury and the medical costs of treating those injuries
• The  third party’s insurance policy limits
• The possibility of a present and a future loss of income
• Potential emotional, mental and psychiatric suffering
• Your monthly wages as at the time you had the accident
• Future costs of rehabilitative care
• The impact the injuries you sustained has on your life and that of your family

As you can imagine, the more serious your injury, the more likely you may obtain  a higher settlement amount, depending upon the potential liability of the third parties.. These lengthy recoveries result in higher medical costs. Also, the various parties’ insurance policy limits can affect your damages.

Our knowledgeable New York City-based lawyers may be able to help you come up with a number. If you would like a more precise idea of what your settlement can be, come and talk to our experienced lawyers. 

As skilled attorneys who have decades of experience handling construction accident cases, Hill & Moin LLP will fight to secure  a handsome settlement amount to provide you fair and adequate compensation for your future.

How Soon Can You Expect Payment From the Insurance Companies?

Again, that depends on a few factors like

• When you filed your workers’ compensation claim
• How severe your injuries are
• How much you are asking in your personal injury or wrongful death claims
• The type of claims you are filing
• Your ability to provide all necessary proofs

Please note that the road to financial recovery may be prolonged if you do not have the support of an aggressive and results-oriented New York law firm. For instance, if you do not submit adequate proof or evidence, the liable party’s insurance company can deny your claim on those grounds. With the knowledge and experience of a skilled law firm like Hill & Moin LLP, your attorneys will collect all the necessary documents and information to maximize your chance at the greatest possible recovery in the smallest amount of time.

Remember, do not speak to an insurance company without first speaking to our skilled and experienced crane accident attorneys at Hill & Moin LLP.

What Are the Safety Requirements for Cranes in New York?

If you will be filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against third parties who were directly or indirectly involved in your crane accident, the safety guidelines can help your case. 

The following are some of New York’s safety guidelines for the use of cranes:

• Crane operation should be done by certified crane operators
• Tower cranes or derricks shall be provided with safety hooks or closed shackles
• Cranes must pass safety inspections before use
• Cranes must be appropriate for the worksite and its surroundings
• Cranes designs must comply with the specifications provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• New York’s Crane and Derrick Unit insists that the erection, dismantling, and jumping of certain cranes and derricks be supervised by a Licensed Rigger
• All crane installations should be inspected by the Department of Buildings

These are some of the standards required for cranes in construction sites across the state. There are also a number of crane safety guidelines here. Following these basic guidelines will help reduce the number of crane accidents. A Hill & Moin LLP lawyer who is familiar with these guidelines can easily help you file a solid case and pursue your claims until you get your full due.

Contact an Experienced Crane Accident Attorney in New York, NY

Crane accident cases are very complex. They require experienced and knowledgeable lawyers who have a knack for paying painstaking attention to details and aggressively pursuing your compensation on your behalf. 

At Hill & Moin LLP, our lawyers are committed to representing clients and making you feel as one of the family. If you are looking for skilled crane lawyers in New York, Hill & Moin’s Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ are available to you. 

Don’t wonder about your rights. Call the New York personal injury attorneys at Hill & Moin LLP at (212) 668-6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.