Long Island Crane Accident Lawyer

Operating a crane requires skill, precision, and regular equipment maintenance. Those working with this machinery must have proper training and practice safety measures. Workers and bystanders may suffer severe injuries or even lose their lives if an accident happens. If you or a loved one was a crane accident victim, you could have the right to hold the responsible party accountable.

Our crane accident attorneys in Long Island, New York, can lead your case for compensation. At Shulman & Hill, every case is personal to us, and we’re prepared to handle your case no matter how complex or difficult it may seem. Our personal injury lawyers have secured over $300 million for our clients, so you can expect us to go after the financial recovery you’re entitled to collect.

Reach out to our firm today to begin your free consultation: 212-221-1000.

Common Causes of Crane Accidents in Long Island, New York

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces safety, operational, and maintenance protocols for cranes and derricks. Many construction companies abide by these rules, but when others fail to do so, it can cause an accident and severe injuries.

Common causes of crane accidents include:

• Rigging failures
• Overturning the crane
• The boom collapsing
• Dropped loads
• Falls from the crane
• High-voltage power line contact with the crane or boom

Common Injuries in a Crane Accident

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 300 crane accident-related deaths occurred from 2011 to 2017. That’s about 42 per year.

Construction workers, including crane workers, commonly face injuries such as:

• Electrocution
• Burns
• Crushing injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Broken or fractured bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Deep lacerations

In neighboring New York City, construction workers in private industry saw 13 fatalities from injuries like these in 2020. (BLS)

Possible Liable Parties in Long Island, New York Crane Accident Cases

If you faced an on-the-job crane accident, we may be able to help you file a workers’ compensation claim. Through workers’ comp, you could receive benefits such as lost wages and healthcare coverage.

However, New York workers generally cannot file suit against their employers. If another party played a role in causing your accident, you could sue them. Examples of liable third parties may include:

• A subcontractor or general contractor
• A vendor
• A site manager or owner
• A part manufacturer
• A mechanic

Sometimes, a combination of these parties holds the blame for what happened. Still, whether one or multiple people caused the accident, you must prove their negligence to secure just compensation. Negligence consists of four parts:

• Duty of care: This party had an obligation to follow safety measures.
• Breach of duty: They ignored safety measures.
• Causation: Ignoring the safety measure triggered the crane accident and your injuries.
• Damages: You have physical, emotional, and/or financial damages due to this accident.

Proving that all of these elements are present in your case is essential for recovering compensation.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Crane Accident in Long Island, New York

Those injured while operating or standing by a crane may have grounds to file a case for compensation. Our firm has recovered damages for clients injured in various construction accidents. We cannot guarantee a definite result for you, as each case differs based on the severity of injuries, losses, and other factors.

However, you can rely on us to pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Compensation usually breaks down into two forms.

Economic Losses

In a workers’ compensation claim, you can seek benefits for medical bills and a portion of your lost wages.

In a third-party lawsuit, economic damages account for many of the monetary losses you sustained due to an accident. Compensation for these damages can cover medical care as well and all your lost wages, not just a portion.

If you lost your loved one to injuries related to their crane accident, you may collect a financial recovery for their funeral and burial costs. Both workers’ compensation benefits and third-party lawsuits can cover losses related to a worker’s passing.

Non-Economic Losses

Those filing workers’ compensation claims may not request non-economic damages, but you may be able to collect them if you’re filing a third-party lawsuit. Non-economic damages account for the ways the accident and your injuries affected you physically and emotionally.

Examples of these damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

You may be eligible to collect other forms of damages we haven’t mentioned in these lists.

Having Our Crane Accident Lawyer on Long Island, NY Represent You

Suffering injuries from a crane accident forces you to put your life on pause. During this time, you should get the medical care and support you need to get as close to normal as possible. Don’t stress yourself out with learning new legalese, figuring out who to file a claim with, and going back and forth with the involved parties.

Instead, have a Long Island crane accident attorney on our team handle those tasks for you. They can:

• Obtain a copy of the incident report
• Manage emails, phone calls, and other messages with other parties
• Review all documentation and evidence
• Calculate your past and future damages
• Establish the other party or parties’ negligence
• Enter into settlement negotiations with the insurance company
• Represent your case before a jury

The lawyers at our Long Island office can provide you with regular updates, so you’re always in the loop. Still, if you need further clarification on the legal process or how your case is progressing, consult your lawyer. We’re happy to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Contingency Fees for Our Crane Accident Lawyers on Long Island

Don’t let the financial strain of the crane accident and your injuries keep you from enlisting legal representation. At Shulman & Hill, our personal injury attorneys take Long Island crane accident cases based on contingency fees, so we finance your case and don’t require any:

• Up-front fees
• Retainers
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Hourly charges

We consider your financial risk when we take your case, so our attorneys only take their fee if they settle or win your case. What do you have to lose?

Deadlines for Filing a Case After a Crane Accident on Long Island, New York

You must comply with certain deadlines if you want to secure compensation for your damages after a crane accident on Long Island. How long you have to file depends on which legal route you’re taking. For example, if you’re filing for workers’ compensation benefits, you must meet two deadlines. Generally speaking, according to New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB):

• You have 30 days to report the incident to your employer.
• You have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim.

If you’re filing a third-party lawsuit, the state enforces these time limits:

• Per CPLR 214, you typically have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• Per EPTL § 5-4.1, you generally have up to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one passed away from their related injuries.

No matter what type of case you’re filing, you must comply with the given deadline. Otherwise, the insurance company or state may keep you from holding the other party accountable for your damages. Your attorney can help you figure out how long you have to file your case to avoid this poor outcome.

How the Insurance Companies May Challenge Your Long Island Crane Accident Case

Insurance companies work to protect their bottom line, so they may try to avoid paying out your claim—no matter how clear it is that the crane accident caused your injuries. They could make claims that:

• You were participating in horseplay, which caused your accident.
• You were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.
• Your injuries are not a result of your crane accident.
• You waited too long to seek treatment for your injuries.
• You intentionally caused your injuries.
• Your injuries aren’t that serious.

We can counter these claims with evidence, such as witness statements, equipment inspection reports, and other documentation. One of the most helpful pieces of information that can back up your claim is medical records. That’s why it’s important for you to seek treatment sooner rather than later. As such, the shorter the time between the accident and your first doctor’s visit, the less room an insurance adjuster has to dispute or deny your case.

Start Working With Our Long Island Crane Accident Lawyers Today

Sustaining an injury from a crane accident on Long Island, New York, can upend your entire life. You don’t have to make any lifestyle adjustments on your own, though. Our lawyers can seek compensation that helps you rebuild your life, and we can give you access to the resources and support you need.

Contact Shulman & Hill today for a free case review: 516.613.3196.