Operating cranes, hoists, and other heavy construction equipment is risky. Even when people follow all of the safety rules, injuries are always possible. When people ignore the safety rules, those accidents have an even greater potential of causing severe injuries or death.
Crane accidents do not just pose a risk to the operators: anyone in the vicinity is at risk, as well. If you have been injured in a crane or hoist accident, you may have many potential remedies including workers’ compensation. While that process tends to be quicker than a personal injury lawsuit, it comes with the downside of limited compensation. There may also be third-party liability. Talk to a Philadelphia crane and hoist accident lawyer from Marrone Law Firm, LLC. Our committed construction accident attorneys can help you understand your potential remedies and rights after an accident.
There are several different types of cranes, but all of them are complex, top-heavy machines. Whether a person is operating a floating crane, tower crane, overhead crane, or truck-mounted crane, the proper setup is critical to the process. Manufacturers may include standards for safe crane setup and operation, and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has guidelines, as well. Any job site should be following these OSHA regulations. Failure to do so dramatically increases the risk of workplace accidents. It can also be evidence of negligence in a lawsuit.
Human error is the leading cause of crane accidents. People might assemble the cranes incorrectly, fail to put them on the proper foundation, neglect maintenance, or attempt to carry loads that are too heavy. Operator error, failing to secure loads, and running into power lines are other potential accident sources. Anyone who operates a crane while ignoring safety guidelines puts themselves—and others—at risk.
Equipment errors can also lead to accidents. Sometimes, these equipment errors are due to manufacturing defects; other times, they are due to maintenance issues. Identifying the responsible party is one of the jobs of a Philadelphia attorney who handles crane accidents.
Similar to cranes, people use hoists on construction sites to help move heavy materials and equipment. Hoists are an invaluable piece of equipment, but failure to properly maintain or handle them properly can lead to tragic accidents. There is some overlap in the causes of hoist and crane accidents. Overloading, equipment malfunctions, failure to properly secure loads, and placing hoists near power lines all increase the chance of hoist-related injuries. Plus, just like cranes, they need a stable surface for safe operation.
Ignoring safety protocols contributes to the risk of accidents. A Philadelphia hoist accident lawyer’s job is to look for all possible safety violations to identify who might be liable for an accident.
Crane and hoist accidents can lead to severe, life-altering injuries. Some of them may lead to permanent disabilities, like electrocutions, amputations, crush injuries, and more. Yet they can impact more than a person’s ability to work—they can completely change a person’s quality of life. In some instances, these injuries are even fatal.
For many victims, workers’ compensation will cover some of the expenses linked to the injuries. However, the amounts are often inadequate to cover the actual cost of those injuries, including lost wages. An attorney can explore third-party liability to try to account for additional damages a plaintiff may be entitled to.
Major construction-related accidents can completely change your life. On top of the emotional and physical pain linked to these accidents, people often struggle with financial devastation. You should not have to worry about how you will support yourself and your family. Schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia crane and hoist accident lawyer from Marrone Law Firm, LLC to help you understand your potential rights.