One mistake. One malfunction. One dropped load. Crane accidents are fast, violent, and almost always preventable.
What’s in This Guide
- What Causes Crane Accidents?
- Who’s Liable for Crane Collapses and Crane Injuries?
- What to Do After a Crane Accident in NYC
- Are Crane Operators Liable?
- Who Investigates Crane Accidents?
- Is It Worth It to Hire an Accident Attorney?
- How Much of My Settlement Will I Get?
Crane Accidents Are Rare, But Devastating
Cranes are some of the most dangerous equipment on a job site—not the most common cause of injury, but among the most catastrophic when something goes wrong. And when they’re used in crowded environments like New York City construction zones, the risk to workers and pedestrians skyrockets.
Here are the top fatal causes in construction (“Fatal Four”):
- Falls from height (e.g., scaffolding, ladders, roofs) — ~36% of fatalities
- Struck by object (usually falling) — ~10%
- Electrocutions
- Caught-in/between (e.g., machinery like elevators, collapsing structures)
Whether you’re struck by a swinging load, tripped and fell due to a crane operator’s negligence, or seriously hurt in a collapse, you may be entitled to compensation beyond workers’ comp. A construction accident lawyer at Chaikin Trial Group can help you understand your rights.
What Causes Crane Accidents on Construction Sites?
Crane accidents often result from avoidable failures in safety, supervision, or communication. According to OSHA, more than 250,000 crane operators and 175,000 cranes are active at any time across U.S. construction sites and loading docks. According to OSHA and the BLS, common causes include:
- Miscommunication between workers
- Dropped or unsecured crane loads
- Mechanical failure or poor maintenance
- Overturned cranes or boom collapses
- Crane contact with power lines
- Unqualified or improperly certified operators
- Unsafe ground conditions
- Improper rigging or heavy loads
What percentage of crane accidents are mechanical failures?
Mechanical failures account for approximately 12% to 15% of crane-related accidents, often due to skipped inspections, faulty parts, or poor maintenance practices.
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Who’s Liable for a Crane Collapse or Injury?
Are crane operators liable?
Sometimes. If the operator was untrained, negligent, or failed to follow proper protocols, they may share liability. But most crane accident lawsuits involve multiple responsible parties.
Who is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a crane?
By law, employers, contractors, and site supervisors must ensure all crane operations are safe, compliant, and appropriately staffed.
Who is responsible for ground conditions in regards to crane operations?
This typically falls on the general contractor or property owner, especially under New York Labor Law §§ 200, 240, and 241.
Depending on your case, liable parties may include:
- Crane rental companies
- Equipment manufacturers
- Property owners
- Subcontractors
- Site engineers or safety inspectors
What to Do After a Crane Accident
1. Get Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you think you’re okay, get checked out. Internal injuries or head trauma may not show symptoms right away.
2. Report the Injury
Tell your employer or site supervisor right away. You may need to go to a workers’ comp-approved doctor.
3. Take Photos and Save Evidence
Document the scene if you’re physically able, or ask a coworker. Preserve clothing, gear, and any communication related to the incident.
4. Call a New York Construction Accident Lawyer
Before you speak with insurance companies or sign anything, speak to a construction accident lawyer, especially one with experience handling crane-related cases in NYC.
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Who Investigates Crane Accidents?
If your accident involved a serious injury or fatality, one or more of the following may investigate:
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) if air cranes were involved
- Private safety inspectors
- Your legal team’s experts
What organization investigates accidents?
For most NYC crane collapses, it’s OSHA, the DOB, and potentially the site’s general contractor’s internal safety division.
What is a major inspection of cranes?
These are detailed evaluations required before crane use, after significant maintenance, or following an incident. They check mechanical function, rigging, booms, counterweights, and safety systems.
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Is It Worth It to Hire an Accident Attorney?
Yes, especially if your injuries are serious, long-term, or you’re being pressured to settle. An experienced crane accident lawyer can help identify third-party liability, calculate full damages, and fight back when insurance companies lowball you.
Is personal accident worth it?
If someone else’s negligence contributed to your injuries, a personal injury claim could cover far more than workers’ comp, including pain and suffering, future earnings, and long-term care.
Why is it important to hire an attorney?
Without one, you’re outmatched. Insurance companies know the law, and they’ll use it to minimize what they owe you.
How Much of My Settlement Will I Get?
It depends on your specific case. If your settlement is through workers’ comp, a portion may go to cover medical liens or legal fees.
But if you’re pursuing a third-party claim, a good New York construction accident lawyer can often recover much more, especially for crane collapse injuries, which frequently involve broken bones, head trauma, or even amputations.
How long after a demand letter can I expect a settlement?
In clear-liability cases, you might receive an offer within weeks. But complex construction injury claims, especially involving cranes, can take months or go to trial if necessary.
Serving NYC, Queens, and the Bronx—We Know Crane Cases
At Chaikin Trial Group, our lawyers fight hard for injured construction workers across New York City, the Bronx, Queens, and beyond. We don’t back down. We prepare every case like it’s going to trial—because that’s how we get real results.
We’ve helped clients recover after crane collapses, trip-and-fall hazards, boom accidents, and job site negligence. If you’re looking for a Bronx construction accident lawyer, a Queens construction accident lawyer, or a trusted construction accident lawyer in NYC, we’re here for you.
Injured in a crane accident? Call Chaikin Trial Group today.
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