LOS ANGELES CRANE ACCIDENTS

Aggressive Lawyers Representing Los Angeles Crane Accident Victims

Construction sites have their share of dangerous equipment, but few pieces of equipment are as dangerous as cranes. Used to lift materials, crane collapses and other accidents can injure not only construction workers but people outside the construction site. Many people die each year in crane accidents, and hundreds more suffer serious, life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident, you should reach out to a Los Angeles attorney for advice about how to seek compensation.

Types of Crane Accidents

Cranes are large pieces of equipment, and they can cause considerable damage. Some of the more common crane accidents include:

• Crane collapses. Cranes can collapse when set up on uneven or slick surfaces or when they become overloaded.
• Dropped loads. Cranes typically move supplies or goods. If the crane fails, or if the operator makes a mistake, then the load can fall onto people, often causing death or serious injury.
• Boom strikes. As the crane moves, it might collide with a construction worker, causing death or serious injury.
• Electrocution. Crane operators can get electrocuted if the crane’s boom makes contact with a power line or other supply of electricity. Electrocution accounts for almost a third of all crane accident deaths.

Crane accidents can cause devastating injuries, such as crush limbs, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage. About 22 construction workers are killed each year in crane accidents.

Causes of Crane Accidents

Often, some mistake is to blame for the crane accident. Had a person been more careful, the accident could have been avoided and no one would have been injured. Common causes include:

• Choosing an inappropriate crane for a job
• Improper set up
• Using the crane in a manner not specified by the manufacturer
• Failing to follow federal standards for crane operation
• Lifting an unbalanced load
• Improper maintenance of the crane
• Failing to properly train crew to use the crane
• Failing to follow proper safety protocol

Another cause of crane accidents could be a defect in the crane itself. In this situation, the person operating the crane did nothing wrong. Instead, the crane was defective, and the defect led to the accident. Crane manufacturers and other parties along the chain of distribution can be held legally responsible for the accident if they sold a defective crane.

Recoverable Damages

If you were injured, you can receive money (called damages) for a variety of economic and non-economic losses, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses including rehab or at-home attendants
• Lost wages
• Future lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

The amount you can receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the amount of economic losses attributable to the accident. The more serious the injury, the more compensation you are likely to receive.

If a loved one has died, surviving family members can bring a wrongful death lawsuit and seek compensation from the party at fault. In a successful lawsuit, you can obtain money damages for:

• Loss of anticipated financial support from the deceased
• Loss of love, affection, community, guidance, and moral support
• The value of household services provided by the deceased

The deceased person’s estate can also receive compensation for:

• Burial and funeral expenses
• Medical expenses to treat the deceased’s injuries before death
• The loss of future income the deceased would have been able to earn had he or she lived

Calculating these losses is complicated. Many different variables are at play, including your loved one’s age and health before the accident. You should meet with a Los Angeles crane accident lawyer to review what damages are available.

Who to Hold Legally Responsible

Any number of people and entities can be legally responsible for the crane accident. For example, the business that employed the crane operator might be responsible for failing to properly train or supervise the operator. Employers are also legally liable for injuries caused by their employees in the course of employment.

However, if you are a construction worker who was injured, then worker’s compensation comes into play. California’s workers’ compensation benefits pay for reasonable medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. As a consequence, however, injured workers lose their ability to sue their employer for their injuries—even where the employer is responsible for the crane accident.

If there was a defect with the crane, you might hold the manufacturer or another business in the chain of distribution responsible. You will probably need an expert witness to identify the particular defect with the crane and explain how this defect caused the accident.

Avoid Delay

California’s statute of limitations gives injured victims a narrow window of time to file a lawsuit for their injuries. You typically have two years from the date of the injury to sue. If you are bringing a wrongful death lawsuit, then you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file.

Missing the deadline can be costly. A judge will dismiss your lawsuit, which means you will not receive the compensation you so badly need and deserve. Although two years might seem like a lot of time, you will need to investigate your case and possibly negotiate with the defendant. Instead of putting your rights at risk, reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Injured by a Crane? Contact a Los Angeles Crane Accident Attorney

Crane accidents in Los Angeles have the potential to turn your life upside down. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury—or if a loved one has died—you might be worried about how you will pay bills and support yourself, especially where workers’ compensation benefits are inadequate.

Fortunately, Fisher & Talwar offers injured victims a free consultation where they can meet and ask us questions about how we will handle the case. We can analyze whether you have a valid legal claim and identify what other evidence you need before we can move forward. If you would like to meet with one of our Los Angeles lawyers, please schedule your no-risk consultation by calling 213-805-7706 or send a message online.