Cranes are frequently used in construction when building skyscrapers and moving materials around a job site. However, the use of cranes is not just limited to the construction industry or developers and construction companies. In fact, cranes are frequently used in shipping and maritime industries for loading and unloading freight. Furthermore, most oil rigs and other offshore platforms are routinely equipped with at least one crane.
The simple fact of the matter is that cranes can be extremely useful. They are an efficient way to hoist materials that are much heavier than any human could lift. When operated and maintained properly, cranes rarely fail. Unfortunately, use and exposure to the elements, combined with improper maintenance, the negligence of others, and manufacturing defects, can make cranes exceedingly dangerous and lethal machinery. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that crane accidents take the lives of 89 people in the United States every year and cause thousands of devastating and catastrophic injuries.
For a free case review from our Pennsylvania crane accident lawyers, call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
Can I Sue for a Crane Accident in Pennsylvania?
If you were injured in an accident involving a crane, you may be able to sue for your injuries, depending on the circumstances.
If you were working as a crane operator or working on a construction site around a crane, you might not be able to sue. Workers’ Compensation might instead cover your case, and it is your sole legal remedy. Lawsuits against your employer are prohibited, barring special circumstances. If you were not an employee, such as a bystander, you may sue freely.
If you can sue, you may have a very serious personal injury claim on your hands. Injuries in crane collapse accidents tend to be very severe, and you might be facing extremely high costs and other damages.
If you file a lawsuit, our Pennsylvania crane accident lawyers must file your case within the time set by the statute of limitations. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), you have only 2 years from when you are injured to file your case.
Have Crane Accidents Occurred in Philadelphia or in Pennsylvania?
While some people seem to believe that crane accidents have not occurred in Philadelphia, the truth is that such accidents have happened before. Philadelphia is currently in the midst of a building boom, with new skyscrapers emerging along its rapidly expanding skyline.
Aside from a building boom, Philadelphia’s location on the Delaware River and along the I-95 corridor means it is also home to a vibrant shipping industry. Whether you work at the docks or build skyscrapers, it is highly likely that you will interact with a crane. While most day-to-day usage of a crane is routine and unremarkable, serious injuries can and do occur.
For instance, consider the 2010 injury of a construction worker at the National Museum of American Jewish History due to a crane mishap. Or consider the 2013 crane fire in the South Philadelphia Navy Yard. Furthermore, consider the 2014 death of a Penn State student who fell to his death from an unsecured crane.
How Crane Accidents Can Injure Pedestrians and Bystanders
Crane accidents pose a danger not only to workers but also to bystanders.
When a crane boom collapses or fails, thousands of pounds of materials may go tumbling to the ground, crushing anyone who may be below. Boom collapses often occur when the crane is overloaded beyond its maximum capacity or is improperly assembled. Overloading cranes can also result in crane tip-over and place operators at risk for falling or being crushed under the weight of the crane.
Accidents may also occur when crane rigging and cables break or fail due to mechanical failures, being struck by the counterweight within the swing radius, or when the ground surface is insufficient or unstable to support the load’s weight. Electrocution accidents are common when booms come into contact with overhead power lines. Many of these types of crane accidents end in disaster with workers sustaining life-threatening injuries, and often death.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Crane Injuries and Deaths?
According to OSHA statistics, the main causes of death at construction sites and other worksites can be described as a “fatal four.” The fatal four are:
- Falls — Falls from objects, like cranes, accounted for 359 out of 899 total deaths in construction in 2014 (39.9% percent of construction fatalities).
- Electrocutions – A failure to check for live wires can result in the electrocution of the worker when the metal crane makes contact. Electrocutions accounted for 74 or 8.2% of deaths in 2014.
- Struck by Object – Objects swinging from a crane can arc wildly when the wind and other conditions are not taken into account. Being struck by objects accounts for 73 or 8.1 percent of deaths in 2014.
- Caught-in/between – Being caught-in or caught between machinery can cause gruesome and grisly crushing injuries. Injuries of this type accounted for 4.3% of deaths.
What makes cranes potentially dangerous is the fact that these four injuries, and others, are possible when a crane is present.
What Injuries Are Commonly Suffered in Crane Collapses and Accidents?
Serious crane-related injuries include head injuries, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, neck & back injuries, fractures and broken bones, amputation, paralysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia, electric shock, and death.
Many of these accidents and injuries are preventable and often result from operator error, improper crane maintenance, overloading, inadequate training and certification for operating a crane, failure to warn of potential hazards, design and manufacturing defects, metallurgical failures, and insufficient oversight and supervision.
Various construction groups have proposed many safety features and regulations, but the fact remains that the crane industry is not widely regulated. The Department of Labor reported that crane usage is one of the most heavily cited construction activities, with numerous safety violations occurring daily, creating a hazardous work environment.
Damages Available in Crane Accident Cases
Crane collapse accidents tend to be severe, and victims may have catastrophic injuries. As such, damages in these cases are often quite high.
Medical Costs
Your medical bills may be extremely expensive after a crane collapse accident. If you were caught under the crane when it fell, you might be dealing with life-altering injuries. Spinal cord damage, brain injuries, multiple fractures, and other traumatic injuries are possible. Keep a close track of all your medical costs so that nothing is left unaccounted for in your lawsuit.
Lost Wages
With such catastrophic injuries from a crane accident, it is highly likely that you will not be able to return to work for quite some time. Some people are so badly hurt that they can never return to full-time employment. The longer you are unable to work, the more income you may lose. Lost Wages and income should be included in your damages claims.
Pain and Suffering
With such catastrophic injuries often comes immense physical and mental pain and suffering. Your life might be forever changed, and you may have to endure many years of recovery and pain. While these experiences might not cost you money, they still deserve financial compensation.
People often live with serious disabilities, chronic pain, and deep psychological trauma. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common in such devastating accidents. It is a good idea to get evaluated by a mental health professional so we understand the extent of your pain and suffering.
Who is Responsible for Your Injuries After a Crane Accident in Pennsylvania?
If you or someone you love has been catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed because of a crane accident, there are several different parties who may be at fault: crane operators, construction companies, job site owners, engineers, and crane manufacturers.
Crane Operators and Engineers
The person operating the crane when you were injured might be directly responsible for the accident. Operating a crane is not easy, and one wrong move could cause a serious problem. Crane operators must make sure that the crane is securely connected to the load being lifted. They must also be careful when maneuvering the crane. If they move too fast, the crane could become unbalanced and collapse.
Cranes are often operated by more than one person. While there might only be one crane operator, depending on the type of crane involved, there may be numerous engineers whose job it is to make sure that the crane is in working order. IF they are negligent, things could go horribly wrong.
Construction Companies
It is also possible that the construction company that was using the crane may be responsible. If you were passing by a construction site when the crane collapsed, you can sue the crane operators and their employers, the construction company.
A construction company has a responsibility to make sure that job sites are safe, equipment is safe, and workers are trained and qualified. If they are negligent, the crane accident may be their responsibility.
Property Owners
If the crane collapsed due to a problem with the property or land on which it was positioned, the property owners might be held liable. While property owners often step back from the actual construction work being performed on their property, they may still be responsible for dangerous conditions on the property or land.
For example, if the crane collapsed because the earth underneath it was not stable enough to support its weight, the property owner may be liable if they knew these risks but did not convey them to contractors.
Crane Manufacturers
It is possible that the crane collapsed due to a manufacturing defect. It might instead have been so poorly designed that the crane could not be operated safely, unbeknownst to the crane’s operator. In such cases, manufacturers may be held liable.
We must prove that the defect or damage to the crane occurred when it was manufactured. If the crane collapsed due to ordinary wear and tear, the manufacturer might not be liable. Cranes are highly complex pieces of machinery, and we will likely need engineering experts to examine the crane and determine if it was indeed defective.
Call Our Pennsylvania Crane Accident Attorneys for Help Now
For over three decades, the experienced Pennsylvania catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and auto accident lawyers of The Reiff Law Firm have fought hard to hold these parties responsible for the serious injuries and wrongful deaths their negligence and carelessness have caused. We have won hundreds of millions to compensate crane accident victims and their families for their injuries, pain, suffering, lost wages, and mental anguish.
Our team of product liability and premises liability lawyers has set the bar for holding manufacturers responsible when their recklessness ends in catastrophic injury and death. Contact one of our Philadelphia construction accident lawyers for a private, no-fee case review by calling (215) 709-6940.
