Cranes offer valuable support to construction and manufacturing projects, accomplishing what people alone could not. But they pose serious dangers to operators, assemblers, and other on-site workers, as well as passing pedestrians, motorists, and nearby Austin residents.
When those responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of these machines fail to follow safety protocol, devastating accidents often occur.
What to Know About Crane Accidents
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 220 total crane-related deaths from 2011 to 2015, an average of 44 per year. Here are some of the most common causes of crane fatalities and injuries in Texas:
- Fall from crane
- Struck by falling/swinging crane load
- Crane colliding with power lines
- Boom separation from crane
- Crane tips over
- Crushed between crane parts
The types of injuries most commonly sustained from crane accidents include the following:
According to the same report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 40 crane accidents resulting in fatal injuries occurred in Texas alone. The majority of these injuries involving cranes occurred to workers in the private construction industry, followed by the transportation and manufacturing industries.
Cranes present an inherent danger to everyone nearby, but they can be operated without incident when safety protocol is observed. Unfortunately, failure of responsible parties to do their due diligence can be blamed for fatal and injurious crane accidents. Typical causes of crane accidents often involve negligence on the part of general contractors and construction workers. They include:
- Improper assembly
- Improper operation
- Improperly secured load
- Maintenance failure
- Manufacturing failure
- Lack of awareness of hazardous conditions (e.g., power lines, uneven terrain, inclement weather)
If your crane accident injury resulted from the negligence of another person, you can seek compensation for your damages.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Austin Crane Accident Case
In the aftermath of a crane accident injury, you may be in need of costly medical treatment and time off of work. Severe injuries could result in being unable to work at all. In this distressing time, it can be difficult to know the best route for pursuing the compensation you deserve, especially if you are daunted by the prospect of extensive litigation.
Crane accident cases are unique and complicated, and they have the potential to wreak tragic consequences. As the victim of a crane accident in Texas, you deserve an advocate.
An Austin personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options, manage communication, negotiate with insurance providers, pursue litigation if needed, discover documents that may reveal negligence on the part of the other parties, and hold those at-fault parties liable for the injuries and other losses you have sustained.
Construction work often involves contract work, which can complicate the process of bringing a claim against the companies in question. If there’s any confusion, the host company and the contracting agency will both attempt to shift blame. There could also be another party involved, such as the manufacturer of the equipment in use.
It is the responsibility of these entities to ensure that the equipment is working properly and is being operated properly by qualified individuals. If they fail to keep their equipment safe and their employees trained, these entities may be liable for negligence.
Crane accident lawyers in Austin, Texas will help determine who was responsible if there’s a claim of negligence, and they’ll work to hold the appropriate parties accountable. They will also possess an in-depth understanding of how factors like your employer’s workers’ comp policy (or a lack thereof) will affect your case.
Finally, they will determine whether any Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) rules have been violated.
Why Hire FVF Law Firm – Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers to Manage Your Austin Crane Accident Case
The experienced crane accident lawyers at FVF Law Firm – Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers have seen firsthand how crane accidents can take an emotional and physical toll on their victims. We sympathize with your struggle through this life-altering event and seek to offer you support, education, and legal advice that will improve your circumstances. We care deeply about securing the best outcome for you, which is why we offer a free, no-commitment case evaluation to every client who walks through our doors.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation so you can feel confident, however you decide to move forward. While we aim to settle your case whenever possible, our attorneys will put their extensive litigation experience to work in situations where going to trial is necessary to get the best outcome for you.