As most people know, construction sites and factories are dangerous workplaces – particularly when the proper safety precautions are not taken. Large cranes present one of the worst dangers in many construction projects and factories. These cranes pose a variety of injury risks. Examples of the ways a crane can cause serious, even life-ending injury include the collapse of the crane and the crane operator inadvertently dropping a load or striking a person with the load. Negligence cases involving injuries caused by cranes are often among the most complex personal injury claims, both because the responsibilities of the various parties can be hard to ascertain and because the very identity of the responsible parties is sometimes not known. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a crane accident, contact our attorneys today.
Crane Accident Cases
In many cases, your rights following a crane accident depend upon your relationship with the company operating the crane. That is, the rights of someone completely unrelated to the business operating the crane and its employees are vastly different. For example, if an employee of the crane operator is injured, they may be limited to a North Carolina workers’ compensation claim – unless, for example, the injury was somehow also caused by someone other than their employer. An independent third party injured by the crane operator, including other contractors on site, may be able to sue for negligence. Crane accident attorneys can help navigate these complexities. Negligence suits typically allow for higher monetary recoveries than workers’ compensation claims. Therefore, it is essential to pursue them if feasible.
There are various cranes, including overhead track-mounted cranes (such as gantry cranes), monorail cranes, wheel-mounted cranes, crawler-mounted cranes, straddle cranes, and hammerhead tower cranes. There are general principles and rules as to each of these cranes. If an operator fails to follow protocol and causes injury or death, they and their employer can be held liable. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets some rules for operating such cranes. Lawyers who specialize as crane accident attorneys know that OSHA violations are often enough to prove negligence.
Proving Negligence
Maginnis Howard represents clients across the Carolinas in various personal injury matters. We understand the unique laws associated with claims against crane operators. We can help you retain the appropriate experts for your case to prove negligence, including accident reconstruction engineers, OSHA experts, and crane experts. Retaining these experts can mean the difference between a small nuisance settlement and a significant verdict or settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses. Our experienced crane accident attorneys can guide you through every step of your case.
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys
Maginnis Howard offers contingency fee arrangements to prospective clients injured by a crane operator’s negligence. Our firm also provides free consultations and will travel to meet with you if your injury restricts you. Contact our offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, or Fayetteville to speak to an intake specialist.
