Construction Accidents
New York Crane Accident Lawyer
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Giordano Law Offices Personal Injury & Employment Lawyers offer a free consultation in crane accident cases. When a crane collapses or any type of crane accident occurs, it is imperative that consult competent NYC crane accident lawyers. Serious crane accidents in New York City have happened over the years. Crane accident cases often involve:
- fatal accidents
- serious injuries
- extensive medical treatment
- huge medical bills
- lost wages
- traumatic brain injury
- other life-altering injuries
- even a wrongful death case.
Crane accident victims should immediately seek legal advice from a competent legal team. Free consultation would definitely be helpful. In 2016, a crane collapsed at one of the several construction sites in Tribeca. It caused life-altering injuries to several people and one fatality or wrongful death. It occurred when 20 mph winds hit the area of the construction sites. The crane flipped and sent its 565-foot-long arm flying down onto Worth Street, between Church Street and West Broadway in New York City. After that crane accident, the NYC Comptroller issued a scathing report finding that only 12% of the NYC Department of Buildings’ reform regulations governing crane projects had been implemented in New York City. Over the past few years, including during the months following the pandemic, there has been an increasing proliferation of super skyscrapers and other high rises here in New York City. Crane safety is more important than ever to prevent crane accidents here in New York City. Have you been recently involved in a crane accident? Contact the Construction Accident Lawyers at Giordano Law Offices Personal Injury & Employment Lawyers for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
ToggleCrane Equipment & How Crane Accidents Happen
The following are the most common causes of crane accidents:
- crane collapse
- defect in the crane manufacturers’ equipment
- lack of trained workers
- rigging failures
- faulty construction equipment
- violation of construction industry standards
- rigging failures
- crane contact with a power line
- failures of mobile cranes
- other negligent acts.
In 2015, construction workers and a crane operator used a crane to hoist an industrial air conditioner to the top of a midtown New York City building construction site. The crane cable snapped. Then the AC unit fell almost 30 stories, causing life-altering injuries to two construction workers and eight pedestrians. There are many causes of crane accidents. Severe weather, wind, or precipitation can be significant factors for crane accidents. Sometimes construction workers extend the crane boom further than recommended or permitted by the crane manufacturer. Overextending the boom may cause the load to put too much pressure on the crane’s mechanical, hydraulic, and structural parts of the crane. Another cause of crane accidents involves the placement of the cranes. Uneven ground, for instance, can be a factor in crane accidents. Crane accidents resulted from improper operation by the crane operator or construction companies. And still, other crane accidents have occurred because of defective crane parts.
One mistake, bad luck, or distraction can cause significant problems and catastrophic injuries. In a comprehensive international report, almost 50% of crane accidents resulted from an assembly, dismantling, or climbing mistake. Approximately 27% of crane accidents occurred during crane operation, 13% were caused by crane operator or other operational errors, and 10% were caused by weather disruptions.
In 2021, crane accidents around the world included:
- On February 11, 2021, New York City: A crane collapsed at a 31-story building,
- On March 17, 2021, a crane collapsed in Northwest Washington when a load was dropped too quickly, causing the crane to tilt.
- On April 7, 2021, a crane crashed into a power line, causing an electrical explosion in Fort Lauderdale.
- On April 21, 2021, a mobile crane collapsed onto a production studio in Atlanta, Georgia, during an HVAC extraction.
- On May 5, 2021, at the Salesforce Tower construction site, in Chicago, Illinois, a crane collapsed while hoisting a section of metal stairs.
Why Hire Our New York City Crane Accident Lawyers
Giordano Law Offices Personal Injury & Employment Lawyers have experienced and competent New York crane accident lawyers to handle your crane accident case. Our attorneys have dealt with different construction site accidents such as crane accidents. We have represented crane accident victims suffering from life-altering injuries and wrongful death. Our crane accident lawyers deal with construction companies and insurance companies adeptly. Our crane accident lawyers and legal team will investigate crane accident causes thoroughly. We understand what to look for when it comes to crane operation, mobile cranes, whether construction workers and the crane operator were properly trained or acted negligently. Most can avoid fatal accidents. But when one violates safety standards, the crane owner is negligent, or the crane operator makes an avoidable mistake. Other negligent acts or defective equipment can also cause a crane accident. Our experienced crane accident attorney Carmen Jack Giordano will get to the bottom of the case and obtain fair compensation in all personal injury cases involving a crane. Experienced New York construction accident lawyers will expect the defendant’s defenses and fight for fair compensation due to all negligent acts for all workers injured and pedestrians. New York crane workers and construction workers working at construction sites who use cranes are at risk and deserve fair compensation for their serious injuries. It is crucial to have a solid personal injury law firm and legal team handling your personal injury case involving a crane and providing sound legal advice. You may be compensated for lost wages, other economic losses, medical costs, and pain and suffering if you are injured.
Recent Crane Accidents And What Should You Do If You Were Hurt In A Crane Accident?
In July 2021, a mobile crane collapsed at a Queens construction site. It happened when the crane toppled onto its side, leaning against a building that had to be evacuated. The New York City Department of Buildings stated that the mobile crane was at a new construction site when the crane accident happened. During the accident, the boom was extended. Then it crashed into offices behind the construction site. Federal OSHA agents also investigated to determine the cause of the crane accident. Unfortunately, there were no reported injuries in that recent Astoria Queens crane accident. The crane operator managed to escape, and the construction workers avoided severe injuries. Yet, an accident like that is not supposed to happen. The cause of the accident will be determined and the negligence will be uncovered. Despite all the regulations and required safety precautions, crane accidents still occur. Here’s what you should do if you are hurt in a crane accident:
- If you are hurt or see someone injured by a crane accident or falling debris, you should immediately follow proper medical protocol.
- Call 911, immediately seek emergency medical assistance.
- Make sure you or the injured person is settled in a safe place and cannot be further injured.
- Take photographs and video if possible. If you suffered from injuries, or your phone is damaged, ask someone to take those photos or record a video.
- Ask someone to get the names and contact information of people who saw the accident.
- Contact your loved ones.
- Report all injuries and any area of pain to the EMTs and at the emergency room.
- Contact competent experienced crane accident lawyers immediately to protect your rights.
New York has special laws permitting construction workers to bring personal injury lawsuits and obtain substantial compensation for pain and suffering when involved in crane accident injuries. Aside from workers’ compensation, construction workers can also bring a lawsuit to recover for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits. In many cases, construction workers injured in crane accidents at construction sites have two cases or claims for one accident, a workers’ compensation claim, and a personal injury lawsuit. Only a competent lawyer can advise you appropriately.
Contact A Dedicated New York City Crane Accident Attorneys For A Free Consultation
Giordano Law Offices Personal Injury & Employment Lawyers litigate on behalf of New York-area clients in a wide range of Crance Accident & Construction accident matters. Our top-ranked attorneys have won millions for our clients. Please call us at (646) 217-0749 to schedule a free consultation at our Uptown headquarters in Harlem or other locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Downtown Manhattan New York City.
The Giordano Law Firm was founded by Attorney Jack Giordano. Mr. Jack Giordano is the managing partner and principal at the Giordano Law Firm.