New Jersey Crane Accident Lawyers

Cranes are enormous pieces of machinery that are essential for New Jersey construction projects. It would be impossible to construct new buildings and structures without them. However, if crane operators are not properly trained, do not pay close attention to the job, or if the crane does not receive proper maintenance, serious damage can result. 

Crane operators and other construction workers sometimes develop lifelong disabilities after crane accidents, leaving them unable to work. The high cost of medical treatment often compounds financial stress. The workers’ compensation system can provide valuable relief to these workers, covering the cost of necessary health care and providing them with wage replacement and disability benefits. They may also be able to file a third-party claim if someone else’s negligence played a role in the accident that caused a crane accident injury.

If you suffered injuries from a New Jersey crane accident, the construction litigation team at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. wants to help you get the peace of mind you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultlearn how we can help. We’re happy to discuss the case over the phone or via FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom, and we offer translation services for more than 11 different languages, including Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese. You won’t owe anything out of pocket, and we only get paid if we recover money for you. 

Why Choose Our New Jersey Crane Accident Attorneys?

If you’re reading this page because you’re looking for help after a crane accident, you’ve come to the right place.

When it comes to construction site accidents, we know how to win. Throughout our 40 years of practice, we’ve recovered more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including victims of construction injuries. Here are just a few of our successful results for construction accident cases:

• When the property owner and construction manager failed to maintain a safe construction site, a New Jersey security officer tripped and fell on a sidewalk under construction. He received a $3 million settlement in addition to his workers’ compensation benefits.
• We recovered $1.3 million in a settlement involving a fall from a ladder on a construction site, which resulted in multiple fractures and disabilities.
• A construction worker injured his leg when he tripped and fell over loose debris. We represented him in his lawsuit against his employer, the property owner, and the general contractor for failing to provide a safe working environment. He received an $850,000 settlement.
• A Korean-speaking worker lost his legs working on a bank construction site due to the collapse of a makeshift scaffold that violated OSHA standards, recovering $860,000.

We understand that these cases are complex and that many people and parties could be responsible for this accident. General contractors, property owners, municipal organizations, and crane manufacturers could all play a role in crane accidents. We perform thorough investigations when determining who could owe you money for your pain, suffering, and losses.

We have the resources to take on the most complicated cases. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. is a local firm with over 100 employees, 25 of whom are licensed New Jersey or New York lawyers. Most of our New Jersey personal injury partners are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys, which means they have actual trial experience in a courtroom. We are proud to report that over 98% of our clients win a settlement or verdict.

We only represent the injured, never the insurance companies. We have helped more than 35,000 individuals and families successfully seek justice against the negligent parties that harmed them. Call or contact us online today to schedule your free, no-obligation, and confidential case review.

Common Causes of Crane Accidents in New Jersey

Some of the most common causes of crane accidents in New Jersey include the following:

• Overloaded cranes tipping over – A construction crane’s primary purpose is to lift and move heavy objects at a work site. If a crane is overloaded, it can tip over and potentially injure the operator or others nearby.
• Contact with power lines – Cranes have steel frames that can conduct electricity. If supervisors do not check for power lines near a work site before operation, a crane might accidentally touch one of the lines and lead to injuries.
• Poor maintenance – Cranes are complex machines with many moving parts. If these parts are not properly maintained, they could break or malfunction and cause an accident.
• Not properly securing a crane’s load – Workers must secure loads before the crane operator tries to move them. Unbalanced or improperly secured loads can come loose and fall, causing catastrophic injuries if they hit someone.
• Operating a crane in unsafe weather conditions – Rain, snow, lightning, ice, and other weather hazards make controlling a crane especially challenging. For instance, operators and other workers may suffer shocks from lightning, and wet objects may come loose as the crane moves its payload.
• Using the wrong crane for the job – Not all cranes can carry and move the same payloads. Using a crane that is too small for the job can cause it to become unbalanced or create other problems that can cause an accident. Construction companies and crane operators should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using cranes.
• Cranes hitting other structures – Crane operators risk hitting nearby structures when they are not careful, potentially causing debris to fall and injure workers or passers-by.

What to Do If You Have Suffered Injuries from a Crane-Related Accident

Protecting your health and rights is critical after a crane accident. Here are the steps to take to best protect yourself:

• Seek medical treatment immediately – Crane accidents frequently cause serious injuries, so it is essential to see a doctor right after an accident. Waiting to seek medical treatment can allow injuries to worsen and make it harder to recover money for your injuries.
• Preserve evidence – Photos from the accident scene, medical records, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence can significantly affect your workers’ comp claim or crane accident case. Hold on to whatever evidence you have for later use.
• Report the accident – New Jersey’s workers’ compensation laws require you to report any workplace accident to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer’s workers’ comp insurance carrier will then file a First Report of Injury to the state. They will also evaluate your claim and determine if you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
• Contact a lawyer – Crane accidents have significant physical, financial, and emotional effects in both the short and long term. A crane accident attorney can help you file your workers’ compensation claim accurately and quickly. They can also review your situation to determine if there are other sources of monetary damages and pursue them aggressively.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Injuries from a New Jersey Crane Accident?

New Jersey’s workers’ compensation laws generally bar injured employees from suing their employer or coworkers. There are some exceptions, such as: 

• Your employer violated OSHA regulations
• Your employer made you use unsafe equipment
• Your employer intentionally harmed you or exposed you to unsafe conditions
• Your employer used inadequately trained staff

However, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to provide you with all necessary medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages, and benefits for any long-term or permanent disabilities related to the accident. You do not have to prove that anyone was at fault for your injuries to get these benefits.

If someone other than your employer or a coworker caused the accident, you might have grounds for a personal injury claim. Potentially liable parties in a crane accident injury case include:

• The owner of the property where the accident occurred
• Site engineers and architects
• The company that made the crane
• The company that inspected or maintained the crane
• Other third-party vendors involved in the construction project

Your attorney can explore all possible parties to determine who might be liable for your injury. 

Crane Accident Statistics

Crane accidents are alarmingly common in the construction industry. One report found that 249 crane accidents occurred across the U.S. during a 10-year period, leading to 133 injuries and another 133 deaths. The report also noted that OSHA issued 838 citations for safety violations related to these accidents. 

How Can a Crane Accident Attorney Help Me?

The aftermath of a crane accident can be overwhelming. A New Jersey crane accident lawyer can help you by:

• Conduct a thorough investigation of the facts and those responsible
• Investigating the accident to identify options for seeking monetary damages
• Helping you file a workers’ compensation claim, personal injury claim, or both
• Handling settlement negotiations with any insurers or at-fault parties
• Representing you at appeals or in court if necessary

If you were hurt in a crane accident in New Jersey, contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. for a free consultation about your case and options.