According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), cranes are responsible for more serious accidents than any other piece of heavy construction equipment. It’s not hard to imagine why this could be. The forces and physics involved are such that the potential consequences of any mistake are enormous.
It’s not uncommon for a crane to operate in a crowded construction environment. This means that any accident can affect not only workers but also pedestrians or others in the vicinity of the construction site.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a crane accident in Chicago, the crane accident lawyers at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can help you bring the circumstances of your injury into focus and determine your best options for pursuing the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact a Crane Accident Attorney
The legal team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is committed to protecting your rights and to doing all that we can to help seek the level of compensation you deserve. We have helped Illinois families achieve more than $1 billion in settlements over our years in practice.
It won’t cost you a penny to have us assess your case and your options. If you decide to move forward, you won’t be asked to pay until your case is concluded. Contact the Chicago construction accident lawyers to set up a free consultation.
The Potential for Liability
The basis for any personal injury claim is that harm has resulted from careless or negligent actions by another. If insufficient attention is paid to the extensive safety regulations for cranes, the potential for an accident is greatly increased.
Here are some of the issues associated with the safe use of cranes:
- Pre-Planning – Many issues need to be considered if a crane is to be brought onto a worksite, from the conditions of the ground in the area where it is to be placed to the placement of barriers to keep workers out of area of the crane’s swing radius and attention to the proximity of overhead power lines.
- Crane Setup – OSHA notes that the majority of crane accidents are the result of improper crane setup. A crane and its controls need to be inspected by a qualified professional before the crane is used.
- The crane used must be appropriate for the job, able to bear the anticipated load, etc.
- The crane’s load capacity cannot be exceeded.
- Operators must be trained and qualified and must follow all signals and instructions.
- Loads cannot be moved over workers.
This is not a full checklist. It does, however, underscore the extent of the safety and operational issues that are required when cranes are on a construction site.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive After a Crane Accident?
All employers are required to provide compensation to workers who are injured on the job. It’s possible that this will be sufficient to cover the costs associated with your injury.
If negligence played a role in your losses, you have the right to pursue full compensation for such expenses as medical costs and continuing care, as well as lost income or earning potential and even pain and suffering. However, your chances of success do depend on having the right partner. Even the strongest case can falter in the wrong hands.
Contact Us Today
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, our personal injury lawyers are advocates for the injured. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a crane accident, connect with our Chicago crane accident attorneys at once. We offer free case consultations.
Need more information? Read these related articles :
Should I Settle My Illinois Workers’ Comp Case?
Should I Sign Medical Release the Work Comp Insurance Company Gave Me?
