New Jersey Crane Accident Attorneys

Experienced New Jersey Crane Accident Attorneys Help Clients Fight for Compensation After Crane-Accident Injuries

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, 5,486 US workers died from on-the-job injuries. This number represents a 5.7 percent increase from 2021. In 2022, employers reported 2.8 million workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, up 7.5 percent from 2021. 

Cranes are commonly used on many construction sites in New Jersey. A crane accident can cause serious injuries or death. If you’re injured in a crane accident, reach out to an experienced attorney right away. The team of attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm can help.

Which Companies Commonly Use Cranes?

Cranes are used in a number of industries. Industries that commonly use cranes include:

• Construction. Construction sites use cranes to hoist materials, remove trees, and transport heavy equipment on a job site. 
• Telecommunications. Telecommunications companies may use cranes to install, repair, and maintain cell site monopoles and antennas, telephone poles and wires, and other equipment. 
• Mining. At mines, crane operators use cranes to help load and transport materials. 
• Refineries. Steel and other metal refineries use cranes to load and transport materials, similar to their use in mining and construction. 
• Shipping and storage. Warehouses and distribution centers may use cranes to load and unload shipping containers or hoist heavy objects for storage. Cranes are common sights in shipyards and other maritime venues, such as the Port-Newark Container shipping terminal. 

Other industries use cranes as well. Mechanical system installers, oil and gas companies, waste management organizations, and military contractors commonly use cranes. 

Common Types of Crane Accidents

HSEwatch lists seven common types of crane accidents.

Crane collapse occurs when the crane’s structure fails. Overload, mechanical failures, and instability can all lead to a crane collapse.

• Crane overturn occurs when a crane tips over. Improper stabilization, uneven ground, and sudden weight shifts can all overturn a crane.
• Boom failure can occur if a crane’s lifting arm is overloaded, poorly maintained, or contains a hidden defect.
• Load drops might happen if a load isn’t attached or secured properly. A load drop can injure or kill workers near the crane.
• Electrocution may occur if a crane contacts an overhead power line.
• Crush or pinch accidents can cause serious injuries if a worker is trapped between the crane or other structures or is pinched by the crane’s moving parts. 
• Struck-by injuries occur when a worker is hit by a crane or a swinging load. 

HSEwatch also lists seven common causes of crane accidents. While some causes result from operator error, many come from sources outside the operator’s control. Improper crane maintenance, improper loading, unstable ground or weather conditions, inadequate safety inspections, and failures of communication and signaling can all trigger a crane accident. 

In September of 2006, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued an alert warning people about how construction and industrial workers were being injured or killed when working on or in the vicinity of mobile cranes as a result of tip-over, boom collapse, and uncontrolled hoisted loads.

NIOSH pointed out that many workers may not be fully aware of the hazards involved in working near or in mobile cranes. One of the major causes of crane tip-over is when the crane is operating beyond the manufacturer’s recommended lifting capacity. Boom collapse commonly occurs when the crane is overloaded, rigged, or disassembled improperly. When a crane tips over or when a boom collapse occurs, nearby workers can be struck by uncontrolled hoisted loads, or by falling objects.

Common Injuries in Crane Accidents

According to the Census of Fatal Occupations Injuries (CFOI), a data system managed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 2011 to 2017, the CFOI reported 297 total crane operator deaths – an average of 42 deaths per year. Common causes of crane operator deaths included:

• Being struck by an object or equipment. Just over half of crane operator deaths in this period occurred when a worker was struck by an object or equipment. Nearly 60 percent of these deaths occurred when a load or crane part fell from the crane, hitting the worker. 
• Falling from a height. Falling out of a crane, falling into a ditch while operating a crane, and other falls from one level to another accounted for 14 percent of crane operator deaths between 2011 and 2017. 
• Suffering injury in a transportation incident. Issues in transporting a crane caused 13 percent of crane operator deaths between 2011 and 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During this period, the most recent for which statistics are available, 43 percent of fatal work injuries involving cranes happened in the private construction industry. An additional 24 percent happened in manufacturing. Specialty trade contractors, heavy construction, and civil engineering construction saw the highest rates of death for construction workers who operate cranes. 

Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the brain and spinal cord can cause serious lifelong impairments, paralysis, or death. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries can be expensive and difficult to treat. They can result in permanent paralysis, lifelong problems with thinking and movement, and other major challenges.

Head, Neck, and Back Injuries

Damage to the head, neck, and back might include skull fractures, facial injuries, damage to eyes or ears, broken bones in the neck and back, and herniated discs. These injuries can cause ongoing problems with pain and mobility. Facial scarring can also cause lifelong issues. 

Broken Bones, Crush Injuries, and Amputations

The forces generated by a crane tip-over can break bones, crush limbs, or even tear away body parts. In some cases, a limb is so badly damaged that it must be amputated to save a person’s life. Pain and other problems can last for the rest of an injured person’s life.

Blunt Force Trauma, Internal Organ Damage, and Internal Bleeding

The intense forces of a crane accident can do serious damage to internal organs and other body structures. When internal bleeding is too intense, it may be impossible to stop, becoming fatal. Damage to certain organs can also prove fatal or cause permanent problems. 

What To Do After a Crane Accident

After a crane accident, it’s important to act quickly to protect your health and your legal rights. Take these steps as soon as possible after a crane accident, injury, or death. 

Notify Your Employer

Notifying your employer starts the workers’ compensation process. Workers’ compensation provides coverage for employees who suffer work-related injuries in New Jersey. 

Under workers’ compensation, you may receive coverage for medical bills, a portion of lost wages, and some types of permanent disabilities. Death benefits are also available if a crane accident claimed the life of a family member.

What to Expect from Workers’ Compensation

The workers’ compensation process can be challenging to navigate. While some claims proceed smoothly, others get bogged down in delays or denials. 

The process starts when you notify your employer of your injury. Your employer must then notify their workers’ compensation insurer. In a non-emergency situation, your employer may also give you a list of approved doctors to see. In an emergency, you may receive treatment from any local emergency room. 

Dealing with workers’ compensation processes can be involved and take time. To ensure your rights are protected, and you get the benefits you deserve, work with an experienced New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Attorney. 

Why You Need an Attorney ASAP

Once you’ve received medical treatment and notified your employer, it’s time to choose an experienced New Jersey crane accident lawyer. 

Your attorney can:

• Handle your workers’ compensation paperwork, so you can focus on healing, 
• Investigate the accident and determine who is at fault,
• File any third-party claims, such as a claim against the crane manufacturer whose crane may have a manufacturing defect that created a hazardous condition,
• Negotiate with workers’ compensation and other insurers as needed to protect your rights and secure compensation for you.

Workers’ compensation insurers and their attorneys specialize in finding reasons to minimize or deny compensation claims. Level the playing field by hiring an attorney who fights for you. 

Compensation in Crane Accidents

Workers’ compensation provides compensation for medical bills, for lost wages, and for certain permanent disabilities. However, workers’ compensation is not likely to cover all your lost wages. Also, workers’ compensation does not compensate you for other losses, including pain and suffering or the difficulties of life due to your significant injury. 

In some cases, a third-party claim may be an option. For example, if a crane collapses because the crane manufacturer used defective parts when building it, you may be able to seek compensation from the crane manufacturer.

These cases can provide essential compensation. The total value of your case will depend on factors like:

• Your current and future medical needs, including any help you need with daily activities like movement, basic hygiene, or obtaining food,
• The wages you lost while recovering from your injury and the wages you’ll lose if you cannot return to your former job,
• The costs of repairing or replacing any damaged personal property,
• Compensation for your conscious pain and suffering linked to your injuries,
• Compensation for the mental and emotional anguish of living with scarring and disfigurement, post-traumatic stress symptoms, or the loss of the life activities you once enjoyed.

If a crane accident claims a life, families can also seek compensation – death benefits – for their own losses, including their loved one’s income. 

5 Key Factors to Look for in a Crane Accident Attorney

When looking for a crane accident lawyer in New Jersey, look for these five key factors:

• Experience. Choose an attorney with experience handling crane accidents, workers’ compensation, and work-related claims in New Jersey.
• Success. Look for a lawyer with a track record of success in handling crane accidents and on-the-job injury cases. 
• Communication. You’ll need to stay informed as your case unfolds. Read testimonials and reviews. Look for those that discuss how well the lawyer communicates with clients. 
• Focus. An attorney who takes a straightforward approach to answering your questions and handling your case is fighting for your success. Look for lawyers who get to the point and who answer questions in a way you understand.
• Reasonable Fees. Many experienced crane injury lawyers work “on contingency,” meaning you don’t pay fees if they don’t win compensation for you. Talk to a lawyer about their fee agreement, and choose an attorney who explains the terms before you sign. 

Talk to an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today!

Cranes present incredible danger, and their assembly and operation should never be taken lightly or without strict adherence to safety regulations. Injuries from crane collapses can be devastating and have lifelong consequences. Speaking with a New Jersey crane accident lawyer from the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm can help you get the compensation you need to counteract these consequences and get your life back on track.

Our New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys have over 35 years of experience aggressively representing New Jersey workers seriously injured on-the-job. Our personal injury lawyers have also assisted workers with their third-party claims involved in all types of accident claims, including slip and fall accidents, dog bite attacks, car accidents, etc. We have successfully handled thousands of claims involving injured New Jersey workers, recovering over $100 million for our clients. Whether it be through a workers’ comp claim and/or a third-party personal injury case, our workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of the process, so you can focus on your recovery. We have recovered over $100 million for our clients and can effectively negotiate on your behalf with even the largest insurance companies. We have successfully served thousands of clients throughout New Jersey. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a FREE and confidential consultation. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.