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What’s the problem?
Cranes and aerial lifts are the backbone of the U.S. construction industry. However, it has been estimated that cranes are involved in 25 to 33% of fatal injuries on construction and maintenance sites.
The actual type and number of injuries related to cranes & lifts are difficult to quantify because reported statistics on work-related injuries usually group cranes in larger categories such as “industrial vehicles and equipment” or “equipment and machinery.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the category “industrial vehicles and equipment” accounts for 17% of fatal injuries in U.S. construction. But the proportion of injuries actually involving construction vehicles and equipment is probably greater.
A study of OSHA reports by Hinze and Bren (1996) found that cranes were reported to be involved in 108 (38%) of 284 fatal electrical injuries in the construction industry that involved heavy equipment.
Types of Crane & Aerial Lift Injuries
Serious injuries and death from crane accidents occur due to:
- crane collapses
- tip-overs
- crane design defects
- overloading
- falling equipment
- dropped loads from poor rigging
- working in high winds
- electrocutions from high-voltage electrical wire contact
- spills
- injuries during the erection or dismantling of the crane
- falls
- lack of inspections
- mechanical failure
- operator error
- negligence
- inadequately trained or certified crane operators
Additionally, there is a shortage of highly skilled crane operators due to the tremendous need and job opportunities overseas on huge construction projects, offshore and platform oil & gas drilling projects in the Middle East, Asia, and other foreign countries.
Who is Liable for Crane and Aerial Lift Injuries?
In most cases, employers who carry workers’ compensation insurance (“workers’ comp“) cannot be sued when an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some states do not require employers to carry workers’ comp. If an employer is a non-subscriber, workers may be able to make a claim if the employer’s negligence caused the accident that led to the injury.
Contractors and subcontractors may be responsible for the safe operation of cranes and aerial lifts on a job site. Third-party owners and operators of aerial lifts may be held liable for injuries resulting from:
- Unsafe raising or lowering of the lift
- Tip-over accidents
- Failure to secure the lift
- Objects falling from the elevated work platform
- Poorly trained workers operating the lift
- Negligent maintenance
- Violations of the Aerial Work Platform Standards (ANSI/SAIA A92)
Cranes and aerial lifts may be rented from a dealer or distributor, rather than owned outright by a contractor or subcontractor. In these cases, it is important to determine whether negligence on the part of the dealer (such as failure to perform necessary repairs before renting out the equipment or failure to provide training to users when they request it) contributed to the accident that led to the injury.
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FAQs
1. What Should Be Included in a Report Following a Crane Aerial Lift Accident?
Include details such as the accident’s date and time, location, involved parties, description of the incident, injuries sustained, equipment involved, and any witness statements or photographic evidence.
2. What Are the Legal Rights of Workers Injured in Crane Aerial Lift Incidents?
Workers may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They also have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit if negligence is involved.
3. How Can Injured Workers Seek Compensation for Crane Aerial Lift Accidents?
File a workers’ compensation claim through your employer or pursue a personal injury lawsuit if negligence is involved. Consult a legal expert to explore all available compensation options and navigate the process.
Get a Free Crane & Aerial Lift Injury Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
The Personal Injury Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Crane & Aerial Lift Injury lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.