What Can You Do if You Are the Victim of a Crane or Construction Accident?

In March of 2008 a terrible tragedy occurred in the heart of New York City, as a massive crane over 200 feet in the air came crashing down into several buildings, obliterating a townhouse and claiming the lives of seven New York City residents. Approximately two months later in another construction accident, a crane 20 stories high fell due to negligence regarding safety violations, claiming the lives of two New York workers. Although improved safety regulations have lowered the number of incidents, crane accidents continue to occur around the country, putting construction workers at risk. If you have been injured or have lost a family member due to a crane-related incident, Proner & Proner can provide you with an experienced construction accident attorney to help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation into your crane construction accident.

Contact Proner & Proner for professional, legal help regarding your New York crane accident case!

The Statistics on Crane-Related Construction Accidents in New York City, NY

Since the rapid rise of urban and industrial development in American cities, the risk for crane accidents has increased as more heavy machines dot New York City skies. As time has gone on, these machines are becoming larger and more complicated, in order to handle more complex projects and more types of tasks. These now have the potential for a lot more damage due to size and a lot more human error due to the complexity of the machines.

The Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau has reported the following statistics involving crane accidents:

• 90% of crane accidents are the result of human error
• 80% of all crane collapses are due to operators exceeding the crane’s weight capacity
• 50% of U.S. crane accidents that had injuries in 2009 resulted in fatalities
• 45% of all mobile crane accidents involve electrocution resulting from the crane contacting an electrical power source while in operation
• 40% the victims were struck by an object (such as an uncontrolled and raised carry load or a detached crane part)

Common Causes of Crane Accidents in Bronx, NY

Although the most common causes of crane disasters are due to lifting more than the the carrying weight capacity that is stated for a specific machine, there are many types of incidents that are classified as a crane (heavy machinery) construction accident.

These construction scenarios include:

• A worker falls from a crane
• A worked is hit by a swinging load
• High winds push the crane over
• A crane contacts live electrical wires
• The crane collapses or falls
• The load is dropped by mistake or due weight capacity issues
• Counterweights malfunction and fall

New York Workers’ Compensation and Construction Worker Protection

Injured workers often end up financially strained due to loss of wages from being out of work and racked up medical bills that are not covered by insurance. Families that lose a loved one also have other costs such as funeral costs and emotional strain due to grief and mourning. New York Workers’ Compensation is in place to cover such incidents, however, they do not always fully cover all the costs incurred from the accident.

When workman’s comp does not cover all of your costs and there was negligence or safety violations involved in the crane construction accident, you may be able to sue for coverage of these remaining costs. The lawyers at Proner & Proner can help with this by gathering crucial evidence and doing a thorough investigation regarding the incident. They can also assist you with showing and proving the full extent of the financial and emotional costs incurred by the accident. Contact us today for a free consultation into your crane injury accident case.

Handling the Aftermath of Your Involvement in a Queens or Brooklyn, New York Crane Construction Accident

If you are the victim of a crane accident in New York, you may be wondering what you can do afterwards to get back on your feet and recover from the incident. It is important to keep detailed records, make official reports, and be thorough and timely with all medical treatment.

Important steps to take after a crane-related construction accident:

• Seek immediate medical treatment for any injury or medical issue resulting from the accident, regardless of severity. (Money can be lost via a claim that an injury was worsened due to a worker’s own negligence in seek medical care in a timely manner)
• Report the incident immediately to a manager or foreman
• Take pictures of the incident and your injuries when able
• Keep a detailed medical journal and save all receipts and documents involving your injuries and medical treatment process
• Keep records of any other issues that result in financial or emotional strain (Loss of job promotion opportunities, counselling costs, pain and suffering, costs incurred due to babysitting or family members having to care for children, loss of intimacy, etc.)

Contact Proner & Proner for a Free Consultation Regarding Your Injuries or Loss from a Crane Construction Accident in New York

Being the victim of a construction accident can be a terrifying experience. This is especially the case in scenarios involving cranes, which are often the largest pieces of heavy machinery used on site. At least 50% of those involved in crane accidents lose their lives making crane accidents often a very serious and fatal situation to be involved in. If you are lucky enough to survive, serious injuries tend to come after such as spinal cord damage, head injuries, nerve damage, etc.

If you are in a crane-related accident, Proner & Proner can help you get the compensation you need and help you navigate the complicated legal process of filing claims and suing for coverage. Contact us online today for a free initial consultation regarding your construction accident case! We have offices in New York, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and throughout the state of New York. We have also represented clients suffering accidents throughout the United States.