New Jersey Crane Accident Attorneys
The risk of injury or death while operating a crane is high, and construction companies need to take the appropriate steps to make their sites as safe as possible for workers and crew members. More than 250,000 crane operators are at risk of serious and often fatal injury due to accidents involving cranes, derricks, hoists, and hoisting accessories.
According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), there are approximately 125,000 cranes in operation in the construction industry as well as an additional 80,000-100,000 in general and maritime industries. If you have been injured in a crane accident, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free evaluation. Our New Jersey crane accident injury attorneys have experience in handling construction accident cases for clients that have been injured on the job.
OSHA identified the major causes of crane accidents to include:
- Boom or crane contact with energized power lines (nearly 45% of the cases)
- Under the hook lifting device
- Overturned cranes
- Dropped loads
- Boom collapse
- Crushing by the counter weight
- Outrigger use
- Falls
- Rigging failures
Employers have a duty to comply with OSHA standards that include the following regulations:
- If the power lines are not de-energized, operate cranes in the area only if a safe minimum clearance is maintained.
- Where it is difficult for the crane operator to maintain safe clearance by visual means, designate a person to observe the clearance and to give immediate warning when the crane approaches the limits of safe clearance.
- Do not use cage-type boom guards, insulating links, or proximity warning devices as a substitute for the de-energizing and grounding lines or maintaining safe clearance.
- De-energize and visibly ground electrical distribution and transmission lines at the point of work.
- Use insulated barriers that are not a part of the crane to prevent contact with the lines.
Many crane related accidents involve mobile cranes, so, many "non-crane" workers have also suffered serious injuries. These non-crane operators include mechanics, oil workers, ironworkers, riggers, and stevedores.
New Jersey crane accident victims often lose time at work and endure financial hardship because of their injuries. While workers compensation may provide some support, the victims and their families suffer because of medical costs or decreased income.
Our New Jersey construction litigation department handles complex construction accident cases for New Jersey clients that have been injured on the job. Our team of aggressive lawyers has the knowledge to fight your case and recover damages for your suffering.