Crane Accident Attorneys Serving Texas & Nationwide
Cranes are frequently used in several heavy industries. Whether you work construction in Houston or the offshore industry on the Gulf Coast, you may work on or near a crane.
If this is the case, you know what large and imposing machines cranes can be. You might also have discovered the catastrophic consequences of a crane accident.
At Patrick Daniel Law, we have seen firsthand how crane accidents can permanently alter people’s lives. We are committed to pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of those who have suffered crane-related injuries and lost loved ones as a result of the following:
Construction Accidents
Maritime and Offshore Accidents\s Accidents at Ports and Shipyards\s Oil Refinery Accidents
Railroad Accidents And More
Houston crane accident lawyer Patrick Daniel and his team are Strategic, Meticulous, and Merciless. We can build a strong claim on your behalf and pursue the compensation you and your family deserve.
What Are the Biggest Dangers of Working with Cranes?
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas leads the nation in worker deaths in accidents involving cranes.
Over 6 years, 50 workers perished in crane accidents in the Lone Star State – more than 200% higher than the state with the next highest rate of crane-related fatalities.
Research shows that the following dangers represent the highest risk of death for those working on or around cranes:
Struck by object or equipment: More than half of the workplace fatalities linked to cranes involved objects or equipment falling from a crane and striking a worker down below.
Falls to a lower level: Cranes can extend hundreds of feet into the air. It should come as no surprise, then, that a significant percentage of workers (14%) who fall from a crane does not survive the drop.
Transportation incidents: A “transportation incident” refers to a work-related fatality stemming from the movement of vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Workers killed in transportation incidents account for 13% of fatalities involving cranes.
The construction industry accounts for nearly half of the worker deaths in crane accidents. Workers who are most in danger of being killed in a crane accident are crane operators, followed by workers who build and dismantle cranes.
Know the Risks of Working on Cranes
What Is the Number One Cause of Crane Accidents?
The vast majority of crane accidents are caused by human error. However, exactly how this error leads to the accident – and who is responsible – can vary significantly.
The most common causes of crane accidents are:
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Carelessness in Handling Tools or Equipment
Being struck by an object is the number one cause of crane-related fatalities. A single mistake – such as dropping a tool or setting the crane in motion and causing an object to fall – can prove deadly for those on the ground.
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Overloading the Crane
Cranes are designed to carry and move massive loads. However, every crane has a weight limit. If the load exceeds the crane’s capacity, several accidents may occur:
- Crane collapses
- Overturn accidents
- Boom collapses and other mechanical failures
Similar incidents may occur if the load is not properly secured before being lifted by the crane. Multiple workers may be seriously injured or killed in the event of a collapse or if the crane tips over.
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Contact with Overhead Power Lines
Care must be taken on any job site to avoid power lines. Operators and other workers can suffer fatal electrocution if the boom or another part of the crane comes into contact with overhead wires.
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Errors During the Assembly of the Crane
To function properly and safely, cranes must be assembled according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Errors during the assembly process (such as not aligning the crane, missing crucial components, and mixing and matching parts from different machines) increase the risk of catastrophic failure.
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Inadequate Training and Supervision of Crane Operators
Workers need to be trained to operate cranes. If proper training is not provided and/or the operator is unsupervised, accidents are much more likely to occur.
Lack of training is a danger to the operator, who may hit a power line or a nearby structure or exceed the crane’s operational capabilities and weight limits.
Inexperience on the part of the operator is also a risk for other workers, who may fall or get struck by part of the crane while it is in operation.
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Crane Defects and Failures
Mechanical errors account for a relatively small number of crane accidents. That said, failures do happen as a result of issues such as wear and tear and defective components.
Cranes are complex machines. A crane accident may occur if the following parts are not functional and well-maintained:
- The boom (the arm of the crane) (the arm of the crane)
- The center pin
- The hoist
- The pulley system
- Wires and ropes
- Hydraulic systems
- Electrical components
- Brakes
A claim can be brought against the manufacturer if a crane defect leads to the accident. It is also crucial to consider the role that inadequate maintenance and inspections may have played in why the crane failed.
Who Is Responsible for Crane Accidents?
It is important to distinguish between fault and legal liability. Although an individual worker (usually the crane operator) may be at fault for the accident, liability for a crane accident (i.e., the party or parties you could sue) generally lies elsewhere.
Potentially liable parties in a crane accident claim may include:
- The owner of the crane
- A contractor or subcontractor who: Carelessly put the crane together
- Employees weren’t properly trained on how to operate the crane
- And did not give the crane the necessary upkeep and repairs.
- neglected to check the crane
- The property owner of the location where the crane was being used
- A project manager, foreman, or work supervisor
- Organizations engaged in the design and production of the crane and/or its parts
Liability in crane accidents is frequently a difficult issue. To ascertain who is at fault and what your legal options are in the wake of the accident, Patrick Daniel Law will conduct a thorough investigation.
You might be able to file claims against several parties, depending on the specifics. Although doing so might help you get the full amount of compensation you deserve for your losses, it’s still important to work with a skilled crane accident attorney.
When an accident occurs, businesses and their insurance providers enjoy pointing the finger at one another.
Defendants and their insurers will take all reasonable measures to avoid providing victims with just compensation.
Without legal representation, your rights and interests will likely get swept up in the barrage of complaints and finger-pointing.
Houston accident attorney crane Patrick Daniel is aware of the techniques used by businesses such as maritime companies, construction firms, and other entities to avoid accountability.
He will work to obtain a fair settlement on your behalf or, if necessary, take your case to court to hold the negligent parties accountable.
What Injuries Occur Most Frequently in Crane Accidents?
Cranes come in a variety of sizes, weights, and carrying capacities. However, the likelihood that you will sustain severe and catastrophic injuries if you are involved in a crane accident typically doesn’t change.
The following are some of the most frequent wounds we see at Patrick Daniel Law in crane accident claims:
- Traumatic encephalopathy
- neck and back injuries
- spinal cord damage
- Bone fractures
- Crush wounds
- Internal organ, soft tissue, and nerve damage
- Injury-related amputations
- injuries from electrocution and severe burns
All of these wounds may cause excruciating pain and restricted mobility and functionality. They also have a significant psychological element.
After such a traumatic experience, crane accident victims frequently experience anxiety and depression.
The challenges of transitioning from a physically fit person to someone who might not be able to work or participate in life as they once did frequently make this feeling worse.
Patrick Daniel Law can seek compensation for the crane accident’s financial losses as well as its negative physical, emotional, and mental effects.
Our firm can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of your family if a crane accident claimed the life of a loved one.
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