Cranes lift heavy objects and materials and move them up, down, or horizontally. They are essential in many construction projects, but they are dangerous. Crane accidents can cause severe injuries, and sometimes these accidents are fatal.
Determining who is responsible for a crane accident can be complicated. General contractors usually rent cranes and operators, and depending on the reason for the accident, liability could rest with the general contractor, the crane owner, or another party.
A Las Vegas construction accident lawyer at Shook & Stone has experience in handling these complex construction accident cases. Call today for a free consultation to learn how you could secure appropriate compensation for injuries you suffered in a crane accident.
How a Crane Accident Could Happen
Moving heavy loads from one place to another is an elaborate operation, and accidents happen. Although there are many ways a crane operation could fail and injure someone, certain specific scenarios often arise in crane accident cases.
Cranes frequently hit power lines, downing the lines and potentially electrocuting anyone who contacts them. Areas inside the load’s swing radius must be clear—severe or fatal injuries occur when a bystander or worker is struck by a load or a part of the crane. If workers do not secure a load properly, it can fall and crush anyone it hits. If the base of the crane is not secured in a level area or the load is improperly balanced, a crane can topple and injure anyone in the vicinity.
Accidents can happen when a crane is not assembled properly, the operator is inadequately trained, or the manufacturer produced a defective machine. In many cases, a crane accident results from several issues combined to create a catastrophe. At Shook & Stone, our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to investigate an accident, find out what went wrong, and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Determining Responsibility for a Crane Accident
Crane rental companies typically provide the crane, the operator, and other personnel necessary for the safe completion of the job at hand. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict requirements regarding crane operator training, evaluation, and supervision. The regulations make clear that an operator certification provides only the most basic knowledge and that the employer is responsible for ensuring a crane operator is competent to handle a specific piece of equipment and has the experience, skills, and judgment to address the challenges of a given task.
When operator error causes a crane accident, the company that employed the operator is responsible for paying compensation to anyone injured. Similarly, the crane company would be liable if the crane was assembled improperly or if a failure resulted from improper maintenance. Other potentially responsible parties could include:
- The general contractor
- Other contractors on the site
- The company that trained the crane operator
Anyone whose conduct might have contributed to the accident could have financial liability.
A proactive crane injury lawyer in Las Vegas could look for evidence that the crane company did not fully comply with OSHA standards. They can also investigate whether anyone else on site failed to use reasonable care and contributed to the accident.
Legal Remedies After a Crane Accident
Crane accidents often injure construction workers on the site. If you were injured while working, workers’ compensation pays your medical expenses and a partial wage while you are out of work. When a crane accident causes a worker fatality, the family gets a death benefit from the program.
Crane accidents sometimes injure passersby or people who live or work in the neighborhood. If you were not working at the site and suffered an injury in a crane accident, one of Shook & Stone’s experienced Las Vegas attorneys could represent you in a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. Nevada Revised Statutes § 616A.020 prevents an injured worker from suing their employer for workplace injuries, but they could sue any other parties at the worksite that contributed to the incident.
Damages in a personal injury lawsuit may include:
- Lost or damaged property
- Compensation for your pain and suffering
- Medical expenses and the cost of future care
- Income loss and diminished future earning capacity
If your loved one died in a crane accident, you could receive a sum to replace their financial contributions to your household plus compensation for the death’s emotional toll on the family.
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Get Compensation for Crane Accident Injuries with the Guidance of a Las Vegas Attorney
Crane accidents are some of the most dangerous construction accidents, often causing devastating injuries and fatalities. The parties responsible for causing the incident must be held accountable and pay compensation to an injured person or their family members in the case of fatal accidents.
A Las Vegas crane accident lawyer at Shook & Stone has experience handling these uniquely complex cases. Set up an appointment for a free consultation to discuss your situation today.
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