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Crane Accidents

Crane Accident Lawsuit in California

Crane accidents, a distressingly common occurrence, often lead to catastrophic injuries and even death across the state of California. These accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, such as improper setup, which can result in the crane collapsing.

Crane accidents, unfortunately, are not uncommon in the construction industry, which is one of the most hazardous jobs in the United States. If you've been involved in a crane accident, know that you're not alone. Many others, like you, have faced similar situations.

Crane Accident Lawyer
Victims of a crane accident could be eligible to receive full compensation for their injuries.

Even though the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a wide range of safety standards that everyone on a construction site must follow, accidents still occur, leading to severe injuries.

Construction workers must constantly be alert for falling objects, unstable foundations, defective ladders, heavy machinery, and other site hazards.

Even the most vigilant workers can fall victim to crane accidents. In such cases, it's crucial to remember that you have the right to take legal action against the responsible party. This is not just about justice, but also about securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Common injuries include head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, concussions, electrocution, broken bones, and lacerations.

Our experienced injury lawyers are here to support and guide individuals and construction workers who were injured in a crane-related accident in California. We understand that victims and their families deserve full and fair financial compensation for their injuries, and we are committed to helping them achieve this, providing a sense of reassurance in a challenging time.

We may be able to file a lawsuit for a crane-related accident based on negligence, premises liability, or product liability. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys will provide a closer review below.

What are the Common Causes of Crane Accidents?

Crane accidents can occur when officials in charge of construction sites fail to prioritize the safety of their workers. As noted, while OSHA standards have been established to prevent injuries and accidents, compliance often cannot completely prevent accidents.

Construction industry professionals work in inherently dangerous environments; it's up to everyone on the job site to work together to mitigate risk. Some of the common causes of crane accidents include:

  • improper crane setup causing collapse,
  • choosing the inappropriate type of crane for the job,
  • use of crane outside manufacturer's specifications,
  • crane contact with power lines during use,
  • failure to follow the safety standards.

Overloaded machines often cause crane accidents. This can cause equipment to overturn, especially when the stabilizing outriggers are not properly deployed.

Mistakenly dropped crane loads are another common hazard – dropped materials can pose a real threat to workers on the ground. All of these issues stem from improper maintenance, inadequate training, or employer negligence. Readers should note that there are cases where the crane operator made a mistake that caused the injuries.

In this situation, crane operators could still receive financial compensation, but their recovery would be reduced based on California's comparative negligence laws. This means that if the operator is found to be partially at fault for the accident, their compensation will be reduced proportionally. For instance, if the operator is found to be 20% at fault, their compensation will be reduced by 20%.

Workers' Compensation vs. Personal Injury Lawsuits

When an employee is injured on the job in California, they may have limited options for pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. That's because workers' compensation typically covers expenses related to the injury. A workers' compensation claim ensures that the worker can pay their medical bills and be compensated for when they're unable to work.

Workers can file these claims without having to prove a case against their employer. As a result, the employee will have limited options for filing a lawsuit or seeking compensation for things like pain and suffering. Of course, some situations warrant legal action, especially when a negligent third party causes an accident.

For instance, if an employee suffers injuries in a crane accident at work and later learns that the machine they were working on is defective, they can take legal action against the company that manufactures the equipment. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help injured workers seek damages related to their accident.

Compensation for Victims of Crane Accidents

Both economic and non-economic damages may be available for victims of crane accidents in California. In personal injury lawsuits, compensatory damages aim to restore the plaintiff to their position before the accident financially. If a victim can prove their injuries were the result of someone else's negligence, they may be entitled to compensation for:

  • property damage,
  • medical bills,
  • ER expenses,
  • lost wages,
  • loss of earning potential,
  • loss of consortium,
  • emotional distress, and
  • pain and suffering.

If someone was killed in a crane accident, then their family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party and could recover the following damages:

  • amount deceased person would have earned as income,
  • funeral and burial expenses, and
  • compensation for the loss of companionship and support.

How is Liability Determined After an Accident?

After a crane accident, determining who is at fault can be a complex process. It involves a thorough examination of the circumstances leading up to the accident, including the actions of all parties involved. This process, which can take months to complete, typically requires the expertise of lawyers and local and federal officials.

Official inquiries can take months to complete. In most cases, a personal injury law firm can investigate on behalf of its clients, gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and analyzing the circumstances of the accident. Their findings must be shared with governmental investigators who determine which details are included in their official reports.

Their findings must be shared with governmental investigators who determine which details are included in their official reports. They ultimately disclose which negligent parties are responsible for compensating plaintiffs or their surviving family members. Depending on the details of the crane accident, injured workers could file a lawsuit against any of the following:

  • construction company,
  • crane manufacturer,
  • contactor,
  • property owner,
  • other construction workers,
  • government agencies.

What to Do If You've Been Involved in a Crane Accident

If you've been injured in a crane accident, it's crucial to seek medical attention right away. Your health and well-being are our top priority. You'll want to get checked out by a company-approved physician, ensuring that you receive the best possible care.

Should injuries permit you to stay at the scene, gather evidence for a potential personal injury claim. Document your injuries and any damage to the crane involved in the incident. Be sure to report your injury to your employer, too – it's necessary if you're hoping to file a workers' compensation claim.

After leaving the scene, write down as much about the incident as you can remember. Keep any photos or videos you recorded handy, and back them up to ensure you'll always have access to them.

Should the accident warrant legal action, these could be important pieces of evidence. Our injury lawyers can not only help you gather evidence to identify liable parties to file a crane accident lawsuit, but we can also help you by managing your medical treatment and filing a workers' compensation claim on your behalf.

Further, we can also file a personal injury claim with the insurance company of the party who was responsible.

Legal Rights of Crane Accident Victims

Crane accident victims injured at work have the right to pursue a workers' compensation claim. There's a lot you'll need to know about California's system to collect these benefits, though.

If you're interested in receiving a settlement instead of weekly or biweekly payments, you'll want an attorney to represent you in negotiations with your employer's insurance company.

Depending on the circumstances that led to the incident, crane accident victims in California also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against negligent third parties. An attorney can help you understand your rights and chart the best course forward.

We first need to review all the specific details of the crane accident closely to determine the best strategy for maximizing your compensation for your injuries. Injury Justice Law Firm is located in Los Angeles County and serves clients throughout Southern California. You can contact our office for a free consultation.

WE ARE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO RECOVERY

If you are the victim of sexual abuse or suffered a catastrophic injury in an accident, our experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorneys will protect your legal rights and help you recover compensation. We are available 24/7 for your risk-free initial consultation in Beverly Hills, Encino, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Lancaster, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Santa Monica, Valencia, Ventura County and across the State of California.

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