New York City Crane Accident Lawyer

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), New York State has the country’s second-highest fatality rate from crane accidents, behind only Texas. Most fatal work injuries in crane accidents occur in the construction industry. 

Cranes are a common sight in NYC. New Yorkers can sometimes see cranes perched on buildings, with workers, pedestrians, and traffic hundreds of stories below. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be horrific. Heavy cranes and dropped loads can cause considerable property damage, life-changing injuries, and deaths.

If you suffered an injury in a crane accident or a loved one died, you could have several options for pursuing what you deserve. You could be entitled to workers’ comp benefits and additional damages, depending on your accident’s circumstances. Morgan & Morgan’s New York City crane accident lawyers can fight for what you need to rebuild your life. Contact us now for a free consultation to find out how we can help.

Common Causes of New York City Crane Accidents

Most construction sites in the city rely on cranes for shifting heavy loads. Cranes are large and complex pieces of machinery that can become a danger to workers and others in the vicinity of a construction site. Common causes of crane accidents can include:   

• Making contact with overhead power lines
• Crane collapse or overturn 
• Improper crane setup
• Lack of crane inspection, maintenance, and repair
• Dropped loads
• Colliding with a building or vehicles
• Unqualified and untrained crane operators
• Failure to follow safety guidelines
• Operator impairment due to drugs or alcohol misuse
• Lack of supervision and training by the employer
• Ignoring maximum load limits

Cranes, derricks, and hoists are extensively used in NYC’s construction industry, particularly for building multi-story structures. Unfortunately, cranes can become extremely dangerous if an unqualified person operates them or safety regulations are ignored. Inclement weather, such as high winds, can cause cranes to collapse or swing uncontrollably. Accidents can be devastating and cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities among crane operators, workers, and innocent bystanders. 

Crane Accident Injuries

When a crane collapses or loses a heavy load, the results are almost always catastrophic for those nearby. Injuries in crane accidents can include: 

• Broken bones
• Electrocution injuries such as burns
• Amputations
• Crushing injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you suffered the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a crane accident, Morgan & Morgan can be here for you during this difficult time. We understand the struggles injured construction workers and their families face after a work accident. Our New York City crane accident lawyers can assess your damages, identify your legal options, and fight for what you deserve. 

Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim After an NYC Crane Accident 

Most employers in New York City must, by law, carry workers’ comp insurance. Injured workers can qualify for a range of benefits, even if they are at fault for an accident. You could be entitled to: 

Medical Expenses

Workers’ compensation should pay for all your reasonable medical expenses due to a work-related injury, which can include, among others:

• Surgery
• Specialist appointments
• Diagnostic tests
• Hospital stays
• Medications
• Rehabilitation therapies
• Medical devices

Wage Replacement Benefits

Significantly injured workers are entitled to a portion of their lost wages. The weekly benefit is usually two-thirds of your average weekly salary up to a certain maximum. You could receive an additional cash payment if you have a permanent disability, permanent loss of function in a limb, or have lost your eyesight or hearing.

Vocational Assistance

Some construction workers may be unable to return to their job due to a permanent injury or impairment. However, if you can work in another capacity, the New York workers’ compensation program can help you retrain and assist with finding a new job.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are generally available for the family of a worker who died in a crane accident and can include:

• Funeral and burial expenses up to $12,500
• Weekly cash payments for the spouse, minor children, and other dependents

If your workers’ comp claim was denied or you received an inaccurate impairment rating, Morgan & Morgan could help.

You Could File a Lawsuit After a Crane Accident 

In some circumstances, injured workers could file a lawsuit and recover compensation in addition to workers’ comp benefits. If your accident happened due to the carelessness or recklessness of another party, you might have a case. Potential defendants in a crane accident lawsuit can include: 

• A grossly negligent employer
• The manufacturer of the crane or crane part
• A reckless property owner or subcontractor 
• Careless crane operators

Knowing your next best steps to get what you deserve can be challenging after a crane accident. Moreover, your priority should be your health and well-being after getting injured. Our New York City crane accident lawyers can handle all aspects of your claim, leaving you free to recover and heal.  

Compensation Available for Crane Accident Victims

Compensation in a work injury lawsuit can include various damages, depending on your expenses and the severity of your injury. You could be eligible for:

• Medical costs
• Long-term care expenses
• In-home care
• Lost wages
• Future estimated loss of income
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Emotional distress
• Physical pain
• Permanent disfigurement
• Loss of a limb

An attorney from Morgan & Morgan can calculate your damages and determine the worth of your personal injury claim. 

How a New York City Crane Accident Lawyer Can Help 

If you get injured at work, contacting an attorney can be an excellent way to protect your rights, whether you are filing a workers’ comp claim or intent to file a lawsuit. Ways in which our attorneys could help include:

Determine Who Is Responsible for the Crane Accident

Crane accidents can be complex and may require a thorough investigation with expert investigators who know the construction industry. A lawyer familiar with NYCs construction site laws and regulations can determine the cause of the accident, such as equipment defects or safety violations. Morgan & Morgan has the resources to handle even the most complex claims and determine all responsible parties in your accident. 

Gather the Evidence to Prove Your Claim

Our construction accident lawyers know what is required to build a solid case against the responsible party. Evidence can include:

• Photographs of the crane and the accident site
• Witness statements
• Accident reports
• Results of an OSHA investigation
• Previous construction site safety violations

Calculate Your Damages 

Knowing the true value of your claim is critical for receiving what you deserve. Most insurance adjusters make low settlement offers, hoping injured workers will accept and go away. Moreover, construction workers may not know all the damages they could be entitled to, such as future loss of income, pain and suffering, and others. 

With an experienced attorney in your corner, you will not have to worry about an insurance company taking advantage of you. Our attorneys recognize an accident’s full impact on your life and can fight tirelessly for the maximum possible compensation. 

Why Morgan & Morgan?

We have helped thousands of injured workers and their families recover what they deserve over the last few decades. As the largest personal injury firm in the country, Morgan & Morgan has resources that few others can match. Unlike many other law firms, our attorneys never settle for the last best offer of an insurance company. We can fight for what you deserve at trial, if necessary. 

Most importantly, our clients are like family to us. We do not want to see you struggle. We can help you get the medical care you need and take care of the legal aspects of your case while you are getting better. Morgan & Morgan wants you to have the best chance of getting what you truly deserve after suffering a work injury or experiencing the death of a loved one. When we take your case, you pay nothing unless and until we win and you recover compensation.