Columbia Crane Accident Lawyer
You need a crane when you need to move heavy items or demolish high parts of buildings. They are convenient, but they are also dangerous pieces of equipment. Even when used correctly, cranes can lead to serious accidents and severe injuries. Failing to observe any safety regulations regarding crane usage can lead to accidents that injure or kill crane operators, other workers on the job site, and even bystanders.
Getting injured in a crane accident can leave you with uncertain health outcomes or a lengthy, expensive, and painful recovery. You have the right to pursue compensation with assistance from a knowledgeable construction accident attorney. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may have a personal injury lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim. A Columbia crane accident lawyer can help you understand your potential remedies.
Potential Causes of Crane Accidents
Because of their length and weight, cranes must be perfectly balanced before use to avoid injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulations designed to keep people safe during use. Observing all OSHA regulations will not necessarily prevent all potential crane accidents but will reduce their likelihood.
Failing to observe safety regulations is one of the leading causes of crane accidents. Often, this happens when companies attempt to save time or money. Some of the leading causes of crane accidents include:
- Falling loads
- Crane collapse
- Electrocution
- Crane collapses
- Falls from the crane
- Being hit by the crane or the load
- Getting caught in the crane’s moving parts
One of the most common mistakes that leads to accidents is positioning the crane where it will hit overhead power lines. Placing the crane incorrectly increases the risk of hitting electric lines, buildings, or other obstructions.
Negligent operation also contributes to crane injuries. OHSA requires crane operators to be certified through an accredited testing organization. Passing both written and practical tests is necessary for certification. Allowing an employee without certification to operate a crane is negligent. It can make an employer liable for the injuries to that employee, other workers on a construction site, or bystanders. A crane accident attorney in Columbia could determine why the incident occurred.
Who Is Responsible for Crane Accidents
Often, the operator of the crane or the person responsible for directing the operation of the crane, such as an employer or property owner, is liable for damages from an accident. However, there may be third-party liability. For example, the mechanic or the manufacturer may be responsible if improper maintenance or a faulty design contributed to the crane accident.
A Columbia crane accident attorney may need to investigate the cause of the accident to determine who is liable. Third-party liability can be significant for injured people in maximizing their payouts because workers’ compensation insurance often covers a crane injury on the job site. Workers’ comp does not require people to prove negligence to recover, but it generally limits people’s recovery in a way that personal injury lawsuits do not when a third party shares responsibility.
Talk to a Crane Accident Attorney in Columbia
After a crane accident, you may wonder about your rights and responsibilities, especially if you were an employee on a worksite. Many construction sites have multiple different contractors. In addition to eligibility for workers’ compensation, you may have third-party claims against other people from the site, manufacturers, or mechanics. Bystanders may have claims against the property owner, the construction company, or other parties.
Schedule a consultation with a Columbia crane accident lawyer to learn more about your potential remedies.