How Safe Are Cranes on Construction Sites?
Cranes are an essential element of construction work, which is essential to the city, but cranes are also responsible for some of the most spectacularly dangerous accidents out there. If you’re working on a crane, you’re working on a massive machine that very likely lifts you high into the sky, and there’s plenty of danger to go around in this equation. If you’ve been injured in a crane accident on the job, consult with an experienced NYC workers’ compensation attorney today.
Frightening Examples
ABC News shares that, in November of 2020, a crane that went spinning sent glass shattering down from the 56th floor of a high-rise on West 57 Street that was under construction. A similar incident happened at the same location just a month prior. The condo tower in question is located on what many call Billionaire Row – where an apartment can cost upward of $30 million. Fortunately – and remarkably – neither event led to injuries.
Common Crane Accidents
Cranes are massive machines that lift workers far off the ground, and when things go wrong, they tend to go very, very wrong. Crane accidents are exceptionally dangerous, and while they can come in nearly any form, some of the most common include:
- Falls from cranes
- Faulty rigging
- Crushing accidents caused by the crane’s counterweight
- Crane booms that collapse
- Cranes that overturn
- Dropped loads
- The boom or crane coming in contact with active power lines
Every accident involving a crane is a potentially deadly accident.
Crane Accidents: Common Causes
Crane accidents can also have any number of causes, but some of the most common include:
- Cranes that are assembled improperly and that collapse as a result
- Cranes that buckle or collapse due to overloading
- Operators or workers who are improperly trained
- Cranes that are not adequately maintained and inspected
Crane accidents not only endanger those who work on them but also put everyone in their wake at increased risk of being injured.
Your Damages
The damages associated with a crane accident can be astronomical.
Your Medical Expenses
The cost of your medical care can seem insurmountable. Not only will you face the cost of your immediate injuries, but you will also need to address ongoing healthcare needs and any secondary health concerns that arise.
Your Lost Earnings
A serious injury can keep you off the job for a good, long time – if you are ever able to return in your former capacity. A catastrophic injury can mean a lifetime of wage losses.
Turn to an Experienced NYC Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Being injured on the job puts you in a difficult position, and if the accident that leaves you injured is a crane accident, the matter is that much more serious. The accomplished workers’ compensation attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman in NYC have the experience, drive, and legal insight to help guide your claim toward a favorable resolution that supports your rights. To learn more, please contact us online or call us at 212-285-3300.
