Cranes serve valuable purposes in a wide range of workplaces, including construction sites, shipping ports, oil rigs and refineries, and manufacturing plants. Unfortunately, when something goes wrong with a crane’s operation, it can cause the operator and people on the ground below some serious injuries.
If you or a family member suffered a severe work accident, you might have the right to file a lawsuit for financial compensation. A League City crane injury lawyer could help guide you through the legal process.
Why Do Crane Accidents Occur?
Although cranes can be an efficient tool in many workplaces, crane accidents can occur for many different reasons. While crane operators are at risk of injuries, bystanders on the ground often suffer the most harm.
Negligent Set Up of the Crane
For cranes to work effectively, workers need to set them up or install them correctly. If someone does not properly secure the crane and put it on solid ground, it could tip over.
Negligent Crane Operation
If the crane’s operator misuses the crane and strikes a power line, they could electrocute themselves or other people touching the crane or in the nearby vicinity. Improper, unsafe rigging can lead to harm, such as when someone adds too heavy a load to the crane or fails to properly secure it. Miscommunication between workers can lead to accidents, particularly when one or more workers lack the training needed to operate the crane safely.
Faulty Materials
Even when the crane is properly set up and operated, an accident can occur due to inherent crane defects or inadequate maintenance.
Our seasoned League City attorneys have successfully handled many claims involving crane injuries and understand the wide range of reasons these incidents occur. We could support your claim by investigating the facts surrounding the accident that caused your injuries.
Potential Defendants in a Crane Accident Claim
If you suffered a crane injury on a worksite, you could potentially have the right to sue more than one party.
Claims Against Your Employer
You could have cause to sue your employer if their negligence or recklessness caused you to suffer harm. For instance, if your employer failed to provide adequate training or supervision and the crane was improperly set up or operated, you might sue your employer for damages. Similarly, you could sue your employer if the crane or supporting equipment was not regularly inspected, maintained, and repaired, and something broke that caused you to get hurt.
Claims Against a Manufacturing Company
If the crane or any supporting equipment was inherently defective, you could potentially have a claim against the manufacturer who designed, produced, and manufactured it. For instance, if the crane had inadequate manufacturing operating instructions that failed to warn users of potential dangers, or if the crane was inherently unstable, the manufacturer could be at fault.
Claims Against a Third Party
You might be able to sue anyone else on the worksite who played a role in your accident. For example, you could potentially sue the property owner where the accident happened or a subcontractor who interfered with the crane’s operation.
Our diligent League City attorneys could carefully comb through the evidence from the crane accident to identify all potentially responsible parties to maximize your chances of recovering full compensation for your injuries.
Contact a League City Attorney About Your Crane Injury Claim
Crane accidents can lead to life-altering and even fatal injuries. Let a knowledgeable and compassionate League City crane injury lawyer review the details of your accident, and discuss the possibility of a non-subscriber claim.
Contact the experienced personal injury team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris for help today.
