Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Are you struggling to recover after a recent crane accident? Do you need help holding the right people financially accountable for your losses? Let a crane accident lawyer in White Plains take a closer look at your case. We can break down the legal strategies you can use to recover and ensure that you have the support you need to heal.
The legal team with Shulman & Hill handles workers’ comp claims, Section 240(1) elevation cases, and negligence lawsuits tied to crane failures, dropped loads, and electrical contact. The efforts of our White Plains workers’ compensation lawyers have put over $1 billion in benefits back into more than 26,000 clients’ hands.
You can trust Shulman & Hill to take your losses seriously and to clearly explain what steps you need to take to recover from a crane accident. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
White Plains Crane Accident Lawyers Understand How Crane Incidents Occur on Construction Sites
Cranes move massive loads at height, so small errors can lead to severe harm. Common causes include rigging failures, boom collapse, tip-overs from unstable ground, and contact with overhead power lines. Operator fatigue, rushed schedules, and poor communication between trades can compound the risk.
Our White Plains personal injury lawyers know that weather and site planning can also impact your safety. High winds, slick surfaces, inadequate outrigger pads, and uneven soil compaction can set the stage for instability. Inadequate inspections or skipped maintenance may allow defects to go unnoticed.
Common Crane Types Involved
Mobile cranes, tower cranes, rough-terrain units, and truck-mounted cranes each present unique hazards. Lattice boom cranes can suffer buckling during heavy picks, while telescopic booms may fail if overloaded. Tower cranes require precise erection, tie-ins, and climbing procedures to prevent structural compromise.
Your Rights Under New York Workers’ Compensation Law
If you were injured while working, you are generally covered by New York workers’ compensation. This system is no-fault, meaning you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. Coverage typically includes medical treatment and a portion of lost wages if you are out of work.
You can choose a provider authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board and receive treatment without co-pays. If your injury leads to lasting impairment, you may qualify for schedule loss of use awards or benefits for permanent partial or total disability.
Workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering, but it provides a lifeline while you recover. If someone other than your employer caused the incident, you can work with our White Plains crane accident attorneys to determine if you can file a separation lawsuit for additional support.
Benefits Available Through Workers’ Compensation
New York workers’ comp pays for reasonable and necessary medical care, including hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions. Mileage to medical appointments may be reimbursable in some cases. If you miss more than seven days of work, you may receive a percentage of your average weekly wage.
If the injury leaves permanent limitations, you may qualify for scheduled awards for affected limbs or for non-schedule awards tied to loss of earning capacity. In fatal cases, eligible dependents may receive weekly benefits and funeral expenses.
Vocational rehabilitation and job placement services may help you return to suitable employment. We can explain how classifications, degree of disability, and independent medical exams may affect your benefits.
Third-Party Claims for Additional Compensation
When a non-employer party contributed to the incident, you may bring a third-party claim alongside your workers’ comp case. Targets can include the crane owner, a general contractor, a subcontractor, a site safety firm, or the equipment manufacturer for a product defect. These cases allow recovery for pain and suffering and full lost wages and benefits not covered by comp.
New York Labor Law Sections 240(1), 241(6), and 200 may apply in elevation-related events, falling object cases, and unsafe worksite conditions. Section 240(1) often applies when a load falls or an elevation device fails, which can be common in crane operations. These statutes place responsibility on owners and contractors for certain safety violations.
If you receive both comp benefits and a third-party settlement, the comp carrier may assert a lien. Our crane accident lawyers in White Plains, NY, can address lien reductions and allocation issues so your net recovery reflects your losses.
Evidence and Documentation That Strengthen Your Case
Strong cases are built early through timely reporting and careful preservation of proof. Photos of the rigging, ground conditions, load charts, and power-line clearance can be decisive. Incident reports, OSHA findings, and maintenance records often reveal root causes and responsible parties.
- Incident reports and witness statements
- Rigging logs, lift plans, and signalperson notes
- Inspection, maintenance, and rental records
- Load charts, telematics, and black-box data
- Training files and certifications
- Weather data, site maps, and utility mark-outs
We send preservation letters to keep key evidence from being altered or discarded. If needed, we work with engineers to analyze boom structure, rigging methods, and soil or outrigger support.
White Plains Crane Accident Claims We Handle
We represent injured workers and families in crane events across White Plains and nearby communities. Cases often involve dropped loads, rigging failures, boom collapse, electrocution from line contact, struck-by incidents, and tip-overs on unstable ground. We also assist bystanders injured near construction zones.
Many claims run on two tracks: a workers’ compensation case for medical and wage benefits and a civil lawsuit against a non-employer for pain and suffering and full economic losses. We coordinate both so they support each other and do not work at cross-purposes.
Whether you are a union ironworker, tower crane operator, oiler, signalperson, electrician, laborer, or delivery driver onsite for a pick, our White Plains, NY, crane accident attorneys tailor the approach to your role and the equipment involved.
How Shulman & Hill Supports Injured Workers and Families
A White Plains, NY, crane accident lawyer can start investigating your workplace accident within hours of an incident. That early involvement makes it easier for us to secure evidence and consult with crane and rigging experts when needed.
Our team reviews lift plans, rental contracts, tie-in documentation for tower cranes, and site safety logs to pinpoint responsibility. We also examine whether power utilities were notified and marked. All of this effort makes it easier to keep your comp claim moving to challenge low disability rates or workers’ compensation denials.
We are here to protect you in the aftermath of a life-changing accident. Don’t go it alone against insurance companies or negligent third parties. Contact Shulman & Hill today to book a free crane accident consultation with our experienced and compassionate legal staff.