New York Crane Accident Lawyer

What are the Most Common Causes of Crane Accidents?

Construction industry trade associations and OSHA have determined that the most common causes of crane accidents are:

• Crane buckling or collapsing due to setups on unstable ground or from usage that surpasses a crane’s weight limits.
• Improper crane assembly, including incorrect use of blocking supports.
• Poor or insufficient employee training that leads to disregarding risks and hazards
• Mechanical failure due to poor maintenance.
• Electrocution from contact between the crane and live electrical power sources.

The injuries that result from these and other crane accidents include broken bones and lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, damage to internal organs, loss of one or more limbs, and severe burns and nerve damage from electrocution.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Crane Accidents? 

As noted, multiple third parties may be held legally responsible depending on the circumstances surrounding a crane accident. These may include: 

• Property Owners – Property owners may be held liable if unsafe conditions on the premises contributed to the accident, especially if they exercised control over the worksite or failed to address known hazards. 
• Construction Companies (Not the Injured Worker’s Employer) – Construction companies, such as general contractors or subcontractors who are not the direct employer of the injured worker, may be held liable if their failure to maintain safe conditions, enforce proper safety protocols, or adequately supervise site operations contributes to a crane accident. 
• Contractors and Subcontractors – Third-party contractors and subcontractors involved in site operations could be named in a lawsuit if their negligence, oversight, or failure to coordinate contributed to the incident. 
• Crane Operators – Operators may be personally liable if they acted recklessly, lacked proper certification or training, or violated safety regulations, resulting in injury or death. 
• Equipment Manufacturers – Manufacturers of cranes or crane components may be held accountable under product liability laws if design defects or manufacturing flaws caused the equipment to fail. 
• Maintenance and Inspection Providers – Companies or individuals responsible for inspecting, servicing, or repairing crane equipment may be liable if improper or neglected maintenance directly leads to equipment malfunction and resulting injuries. 

Determining fault for a crane or scaffolding accident in New York begins with a free case review. Contact Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP to schedule yours today.  

Steps to Take After a Crane Accident 

Following a crane accident, injured individuals often face a daunting recovery—coping with physical pain, medical treatment, and financial uncertainty. The emotional and logistical toll can be overwhelming. 

Steps to take after an accident on a construction site include the following: 

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Prioritize your safety and health. Prompt documentation of your injuries is essential for medical treatment and your claim. 
• Report the Accident to Your Employer. Under New York law, injured workers must report workplace injuries to their employer immediately. This report will initiate the workers’ compensation process and create a record of the incident.
• Document the Scene. If physically able, take photographs or videos of the accident scene, equipment involved, visible injuries, and any hazardous conditions. This documentation can be vital in third-party personal injury claims. 
• Identify Witnesses. Gather names and contact information of coworkers or bystanders who saw the accident. Their accounts can support your version of events and help establish liability. 
• Preserve Evidence. Keep any damaged clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), or tools involved. These items may serve as evidence if equipment failure or safety violations contributed to the accident. 
• Avoid Giving Statements or Signing Documents Prematurely. Do not give recorded statements or sign documents from insurers, employers, or investigators until you’ve spoken with an attorney. You may unknowingly waive important rights or weaken your claim. 
• Consult a New York Construction Accident Attorney. New York Labor Laws § 200, 240, and 241(6) provide strong protections for construction workers injured due to falls, falling objects, or safety violations. An experienced attorney can assess whether you have a valid third-party personal injury claim in addition to workers’ compensation. 
• Be Mindful of Deadlines. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the accident date and two years for wrongful death claims. Delays can jeopardize your right to compensation.
• At Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, we know that legal action may not be the first thing on your mind after a serious crane accident. However, a New York crane accident lawyer manages every aspect of your claim while keeping you updated on the status of your case, providing guidance and support every step of the way.  

What Compensation Can an Injured Worker Recover in a Crane Accident Lawsuit?

A construction worker can file a workers’ compensation claim against their employer to recover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. In a workers’ compensation case, no one party is determined to be at fault, and the employee cannot sue the employer for damages. Injured workers should submit an accident report within 30 days.

However, in many cases, an injured construction worker may have the right and opportunity to file a third-party lawsuit for losses beyond workers’ compensation.

Our team can help you recover these additional damages, including pain and suffering, the balance of lost wages not reimbursed by workers’ comp, and payments for diminished future earnings. Common defendants in third-party claims include negligent drivers, manufacturers of defective equipment, and construction site managers.

We can analyze the facts and evidence and determine all avenues of monetary recovery that may be available to you.

What is the statute of limitations for a crane accident lawsuit?

In some cases, the injured construction worker must file their New York crane accident lawsuit within three years after the date of the accident. In the cases of construction work on government projects, the timeline can be as little as 90 days.

Even if the injured worker has no immediate intention of filing a lawsuit, they should still consult with an NYC crane accident attorney soon after the accident. If you were injured in a crane accident, our team can help you understand your rights and educate you about the damages you may be eligible to recover.

Call Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman for a free consultation

Please call the New York law firm of Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman as soon as possible after your accident for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our crane accident attorneys.

We will provide a straightforward and fair assessment of your opportunity to file a third-party lawsuit. If you retain our services and we accept your case, you will pay no fees unless and until we recover damages on your behalf. In that case, our fees will be included with those damages.