Crane Accident Lawyer NYC
Crane accidents are not rare in the Big Apple. For example, in January 2013, a crane collapsed near the East River. The mobile crane, which was around 200 feet high, collapsed with cables popping and metal snapping after being up for around 5 days. Per investigations, the mobile crane suffered a boom collapse while working on the construction of a 25-story apartment building in the New York City borough of Queens. Seven people were injured in the construction accident, with more than 3 people suffering serious injuries.
In 2010, the Health and Safety Laboratory prepared a report titled “Tower Crane Incidents Worldwide” for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In this report, it was found that there had been more than 80 incidents of a tower crane collapse or a major structural failure between 1989 and 2009. The majority of these crane accidents were a result of:
- Erection, dismantling or extension of the crane (34%)
- Extreme weather (18%)
- Foundation issues (2%)
- Mechanical or structural issues (5%)
- Misuse of the crane (7%)
- Electrical or control system issues (1%)
- Unknown cause (33%)
In all such cases of injury that was sustained through a crane accident, a New York City personal injury attorney from our firm should be contacted for help.
Crane Accident Facts from the BLS
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in 2006 there were 72 crane-related fatal occupational injuries, where either the source or secondary source was a crane, or where the worker was doing something involving a crane. In most cases, these involved a mobile, truck, or rail-mounted crane, as well as overhead cranes. Of those who suffered fatal injuries in 2006, the majority of them were working in the private sector, with the most working either on the highway, in the street, or on a bridge. Behind that, the most fatal injuries stemmed from manufacturing and mining. Only a small fraction was employed by a government entity.
Most common crane-related fatalities by event or exposure:
- 42% Struck by a falling object
- 20% Falls
- 11% Caught in or compressed by equipment or object
- 10% of Transportation incidents
- 8% Other struck by an object
- 8% Contact with electrical current
Why are construction cranes dangerous?
CEO of Crane Safety Associations of America, Phillip Ezzell, once was quoted as telling LiveScience that construction cranes “are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. It’s been proven to be the one piece of equipment that has the potential to do the most damage on any job.” Why are they so dangerous? In most situations, it comes down to the metal that they are made out of. Whereas cranes used to be constructed out of heavy steel, most of them are not made from much lighter alloy steel, which makes them much easier to tip over. It doesn’t help that crane operators are often not working with exact science, having to guess how much the crane will be able to handle when lifting objects and just hoping for the best.
Injured in a New York City crane accident?
At The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny, we are proud of the fact that our founding attorney was once a member of a laborers’ union and worked in construction while putting himself through night school to get his law degree. With a background in construction, he has a full-bodied understanding of the intricacies surrounding construction and is better able to help represent injured construction workers in the fight for fair monetary compensation.
We encourage you to reach out and contact a New York City personal injury lawyer from our firm as soon as possible if you have been injured and are looking for help. If you would like to schedule an initial case consultation with a member of our firm, do not hesitate to give us a call (212) 421-0300 or utilize our contact form to send a message to our legal team directly.
