Cranes may be used in various stages of a construction project. Cranes may range in size, and they can be as tall as the skyscrapers they help build. If a crane collapses, it may be a disaster, and dozens of people might be injured. If you were hurt in a crane collapse accident, you should reach out to a lawyer for help getting fair compensation right away.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for the crane collapse may help you get the fair compensation you deserve. Such accidents may occur because loads were too heavy, the crane was unbalanced, or due to adverse wind and weather conditions. If you were working on the construction site when the crane collapsed, you might sue your employer if Workers’ Compensation does not cover you. You might instead sue the operator of the crane and the engineers responsible for keeping it safe. If the crane collapsed due to a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer might be liable.
For a free, confidential case evaluation, call our crane collapse attorneys with The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
How to Get Compensation After a Crane Collapse Accident
If you were injured in a crane collapse accident, you might have incredibly high costs and damages to deal with. To get the fair financial compensation you need, an attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or people responsible.
Remember, if Workers’ Compensation covers you, you cannot sue your employer. Such claims are barred, and Workers’ Compensation is the sole legal remedy. Even so, if a third party is responsible, like a manufacturer, you may sue them.
The defendant may attempt to negotiate a private settlement quickly. Large companies may be eager to settle, especially if the crane collapse accidents caused extensive and costly damage to you and others. However, settlements often do not provide the full range of compensation you deserve, and you may win more compensation in a trial.
How Crane Collapse Accidents May Occur in Philadelphia
Before we begin your lawsuit, our crane collapse lawyers must determine how your accident occurred. This may inform us of who is responsible and what kind of evidence we need to prove your claims.
Many crane collapse accidents occur because workers overload the machines. Cranes are built to support loads up to certain weights. Larger cranes tend to be designed to lift and move heavier loads. If construction workers overloaded a crane and it collapsed and injured you, you should sue for damages.
Cranes might instead collapse because they are unbalanced. Cranes must be on level ground that can support their weight and the weight of the load they are lifting. If the ground is weak, the crane could tip over and collapse.
Wind and weather conditions may also play a significant role in how a crane collapses. Cranes should not be operated the crane under bad weather conditions. Strong winds could cause the crane to become unbalanced and collapse.
Who Can You Sue After a Philadelphia Crane Collapse Accident?
Several people may be responsible for a crane collapsing. Your attorneys can review the situation and help you determine who should be held accountable.
Employers
While employers may be responsible in many cases, you may not sue your employer if you are covered by Workers’ Compensation unless special conditions exist.
For example, you can sue your employer if they fail to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance or if they do something to cause the accident or allow it to happen deliberately.
Crane Manufacturers
Manufacturers are usually considered third parties, and you may sue them regardless of whether Workers’ Compensation covers you.
We need to prove that the crane had been produced with a defect or was so poorly designed that accidents and injuries were highly likely. We also need to demonstrate that the person operating the crane when it collapsed did not act improperly or negligently.
Crane Operators and Engineers
If the crane operator or engineers in charge of the crane are your coworkers, they may be shielded from a lawsuit under Workers’ Compensation laws. As such, you should consult with an attorney about your situation as soon as possible.
If you were a bystander, you may sue whomever you believe is responsible, including crane operators and engineers. We need to prove how their negligence was the direct cause of the crane collapse and that you were not somewhere you should not have been.
Evidence to Prove Claims in a Philadelphia Crane Collapse Accident Case
We need as much evidence as possible to support your claims.
Crane Evidence
First, we need the crane itself. Of course, the crane cannot be transported to a courtroom, but it should be inspected by professional engineers who are not connected to the construction site or your employers.
Reports and Records
Next, we should review OSHA reports regarding the accident. If OSHA had investigated after the accident, its reports might shed light on serious safety violations that directly contributed to the crane’s collapse. Crane collapses tend to be serious, so OSHA may quickly launch an investigation.
Testimony
We must also have testimony from people who saw the crane collapse. This might include people on the street or engineers who saw the crane fall from up close. Not only that, but you and other people who were working near the crane may know if safety regulations were implemented and followed.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Crane Collapse Accident?
You should hire a lawyer to help you soon, as the statute of limitations might already be counting down on your time limit to sue. According to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), you have 2 years from the accident to file a lawsuit.
Some people are so severely injured that they cannot begin preparing a lawsuit for quite some time. Even if you can start immediately, the situation might be so complicated that it takes you and your lawyer many months or even years to sort through the facts and evidence needed to file your case.
Do not be intimidated. While bringing a lawsuit can be challenging, it is your right to do so. A qualified attorney can make a huge difference in your case.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Philadelphia Crane Collapse Case?
The defendant may be eager to reach a settlement. They may know that the case represents a substantial sum of money, and they want to settle as quickly as possible to minimize their costs. Your lawyer can help you take the case to court, where you may get the full extent of your damages covered.
Your attorney can coordinate with other legal representatives, witnesses, defendants, and others connected to the case. You should not make direct contact with most people involved in the case. You should communicate almost exclusively through your attorney.
Call Our Philadelphia Crane Collapse Attorneys for Help Getting Compensation
For a free, confidential case evaluation, call our crane collapse attorneys with The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
