Crane Accident Lawyer Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Each day, construction workers face a variety of dangers and can easily be injured if they are not careful. This is especially true for construction workers who must use mechanical equipment, such as cranes. A crane is a lifting device used on construction sites to raise and lower heavy materials. This piece of equipment hoists massive loads of materials that cannot possibly be moved by humans. Cranes are powerful machines that are capable of extensive work; and also extensive damage when negligently operated or maintained.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that more than 120,000 cranes operate in the construction industry today and an additional 100,000 are used in general and maritime industries. Operators face a high risk of injury or death. Construction companies need to take the appropriate steps to make their sites as safe as possible for construction workers and crew members. Operators are at risk of serious and often fatal injury due to accidents involving cranes, derricks, hoists, and hoisting accessories.

Causes of crane accidents:

• Falls
• Electrocution
• Dropped loads
• Boom or crane contact with energized power lines (nearly 45% of the cases)
• Under the hook lifting device
• Rigging failures
• Overturned cranes
• Crane collapse
• Boom collapse by the counter weight
• Outrigger use
• Crushed-by/struck-by hazards during assembly/disassembly

Due to the high number of fatalities, in 2010, the OSHA made substantial changes to the rules regulating crane operations. First, new OSHA ruling requires that all operators be certified through an accredited organization. Under the new rule, operators must be either certified by an accredited operator testing organization, such as the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), or qualified by an audited employer program. Second, signalpersons must be qualified either by a third-party qualified evaluator, such as NCCCO, or an employer's qualified evaluator. Third, the new OSHA regulations place strict requirements on crane inspection, set-up and disassembly. The rule also sets requirements for ground conditions and crane operator assessment. In addition, the rule addresses tower crane hazards, addresses the use of synthetic slings for assembly and disassembly work, and clarifies the scope of the regulation by providing both a functional description and a list of examples for the equipment that is covered.

The OSHA outlined the standards of care to be followed by the construction companies. Compliance with the OSHA safety regulations is mandatory. The following is a list of some OSHA regulations that must be followed by construction companies:

1) If the power lines are not de-energized, operate cranes in the area only if a safe minimum clearance is maintained.

2) Where it is difficult for the operator to maintain safe clearance by visual means, designate a person to observe the clearance and to give immediate warning when the crane approaches the limits of safe clearance.

3) Do not use cage-type boom guards, insulating links, or proximity warning devices as a substitute for the de-energizing and grounding lines or maintaining safe clearance.

4) De-energize and visibly ground electrical distribution and transmission lines at the point of work.

5) Use insulated barriers that are not a part of the crane to prevent contact with the lines.

While crane operators are at the highest risk of potential serious injuries, other construction employees may be hurt as well. Such workers as mechanics, oil workers, ironworkers, riggers, stevedores roofers, carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, laborers, operating engineers, tin knockers, iron workers, metal workers, sheet-rockers, painters, craft workers, pointers, water proofers and excavators are all susceptible to injury and even death should a crane accident occur at a construction site. Individuals who suffer catastrophic injury form a crane collapse or families who lost a member in a crane accident need to understand their rights and seek out representation from an experienced civil litigation lawyer to ensure they can offset their medical and other expenses, as well as receive full and fair compensation for the accident or wrongful death.

Many of these accidents can be prevented if construction companies adhere to safety regulations. After a worker has been injured in an accident, he/she is legally entitled to seek compensation. An accident victim may seek monetary damages for his/her: medical expenses, injuries, lost wages, lost future income, physical and mental impairment, and pain and suffering. The Lassen Law Firm, Pennsylvania Crane Accident Lawyers, will get you maximum compensation for your serious injuries.

Personal Injury Lawyer Pennsylvania

Construction work is physically demanding and dangerous. Safety on the site is often sacrificed by those in charge in order to keep the job moving. Even a sprain or a broken bone can be devastating for a construction worker, who may no longer be able to work in a construction site, even after healing. Crane accidents are among the most common accidents that occur at a construction site. Several operators are seriously injured or killed on the job each year. The attorneys at the Lassen Law Firm have the experience to help and assist you. We represent individuals and families in construction accidents and wrongful death claims stemming from negligence or recklessness of construction companies or manufacturers of construction equipment, including manufacturers and suppliers. Our personal injury attorneys at the Lassen Law Firm provide you with aggressive representation in construction accidents and crane collapses resulting from overextended booms.

Crane accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one were the victim of a serious accident, contact the Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers of the Lassen Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your options. The skilled personal injury lawyers at the Lassen Law Firm are available to assist. At the Lassen Law Firm, we handle personal injury, wrongful death and survival action lawsuits on a contingency basis. This means we absorb all fees and costs until we have successfully secured compensation for your injuries. We do not get paid unless you get paid. We understand the hardships you and your family face, and we are here to help. In addition to crane collapse injuries and death, we also handle other personal injury and wrongful death claims. Let the Lassen Law Firm serve you.

The Lassen Law Firm only deducts a 29% contingency fee, not the standard 45% like other firms. We serve ALL of Pennsylvania. We can sign you up over the phone and start working on your case today.

Stop Searching. Start Calling. 215-510-6755.

Authored by: Christian Lassen