Cranes, hoists, excavators, and forklifts do the heavy work on a job site. When they fail or are operated carelessly, the injuries are severe.
Accidents We See
- Crane and boom collapses
- Dropped or swinging loads
- Workers struck or run over by excavators, loaders, and forklifts
- Workers caught between equipment and a fixed object
- Hoist and personnel lift failures
- Contact with overhead power lines
Who May Be Responsible
- The property owner and the general contractor, under Labor Law 240, 241(6), and 200
- The crane or equipment rental company
- The company responsible for maintenance and inspection
- The manufacturer, if a defect caused the failure
- Another subcontractor whose operator or rigger was careless
In most cases you cannot sue your own employer. The other companies on this list are fair game, and their liability is in addition to workers' compensation.
Evidence That Disappears
After a serious equipment failure, the site is cleaned up and the machine is repaired or removed. We move early to preserve the equipment, the inspection and maintenance logs, the lift plan, operator licenses, and the City and OSHA investigation files.
What You Can Recover
- Medical bills, past and future
- Full lost wages and union benefits
- Loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- In death cases, the financial losses to the family
Deadlines
Most New York injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the accident.
If the project belongs to a public agency, a notice of claim is generally due within 90 days.
Deadlines can be shorter or longer depending on the facts. Call before you assume it is too late or that you have time.
Common Questions
OSHA is investigating. Should I wait for that to finish?
No. The investigation is separate from your claim and can take a long time. Evidence needs to be preserved now.
I was the operator. Can I still bring a claim?
Possibly. If the equipment was defective, poorly maintained, or the site was unsafe, others may be responsible.
A bystander was hurt when the crane came down. Do they have a case?
Yes. People who are not workers have negligence claims against the companies responsible.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
The consultation is free. There is no fee unless we win, and we advance the costs of the case. You speak with your attorney directly, not a call center.