Cranes are an essential part of the modern construction industry, especially when building NYC skyscrapers. However, these massive machines carrying huge loads also bring the potential for serious accidents.
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 297 total crane-related deaths from 2011 to 2017. This is an average of 42 crane deaths per year across the United States. Here are more facts you should know about crane accidents:
- Half of crane deaths resulted from a worker being struck by an object or machine;
- Three-fifths of crane deaths were from a falling object;
- 43% of crane deaths were in the private construction industry;
- 27% of all crane deaths occurred at a construction site; and
- New York tied for the second-highest number of crane deaths.
These tragic crane fatality statistics don’t even account for all crane injuries, which are numerous. Construction companies must be held accountable for training and supervising workers in safe crane operation. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a NYC crane accident, you should contact a knowledgeable construction attorney, such as those at Ferrante & Koenig.
What Are Common Causes of Crane Accidents?
Cranes require careful attention to operate safely. Distracted crane operators, improper training, faulty equipment, or even weather conditions can lead to horrific crane injuries. Here are some of the common causes of crane accidents:
- Contact with live power lines,
- Dropped loads,
- Boom collapse,
- Overturned crane,
- Malfunctioning under-the-hook lifting device, and
- Rigging failure.
By filing a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit, you can pursue the payment you need. However, taking legal action also encourages manufacturers and construction companies to make the industry safer, so you help protect other workers from harm.
How Can a Construction Attorney Help You?
If you’ve been injured in a crane accident in NYC, you deserve compensation. All New York employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, so you should be able to access this money. Workers’ compensation is not fault-based, so even if you caused your accident, you can file a claim.
However, you may also have other avenues to pursue compensation, such as filing a lawsuit. Usually, workers’ compensation protects an employer from personal injury lawsuits. However, if your employer violated a NY labor law, you may be able to sue.
Also, you may be able to sue the manufacturer of defective equipment or another third party. A construction accident injury lawyer will evaluate every aspect of your case and look for ways to obtain maximum injury compensation.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer for a Consultation
Your first step toward recovering accident compensation should be to contact an experienced construction accident attorney. At Ferrante & Koenig, our attorneys help accident victims get the compensation they deserve. We also support grieving family members as they fight for justice after their loved one’s wrongful death.
Because we want excellent legal representation to be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, we offer a free consultation. We also work on contingency, which means you owe us nothing until we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation, and start pursuing your NYC crane accident injury or wrongful death compensation.
