Our Atlanta cityscape continues to expand. All around us we see construction sites. But these sites have transient workforces who aren’t particularly trained to be around complicated machinery. Crane accidents can happen at any time, and in fact, the crane operator is rarely the one injured.
Construction workers perform some of our more dangerous jobs. Their physical health and agility is the very reason they are so good at what they do. With one accident, their ability to work may be taken away. These workers have the right to be protected.
Cranes are dangerous heavy machinery. They may be based on a simple concept using levers and pulleys, but the equipment is sophisticated and requires expertise in both operating and installing. Cranes can be fixed on a permanent foundation, especially for construction of skyscrapers. They can be attached to trucks, and even at times barges for harbor work.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident in Atlanta, call a Crane Accident Attorney at John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000. We’ll help you get back on your feet and even help you get workers compensation pay while you recover.
My loved one was injured in a crane accident on a construction site. What steps should I take to pursue compensation?
If your loved one has been injured in a crane accident, chances are he needs your help. Make sure that his supervisor knows he has been injured on the job. Take photographs of the job site. See if his friends and coworkers know the details of the incident. And make sure you take down their telephone numbers and full names. Construction sites have transient workforces that travel from job to job. Witnesses tend to disappear and may become reluctant to testify.
Work injuries claims should not be adversarial. The Workers Compensation system was set up to protect the injured party no matter who was at fault.
Construction sites are often complicated work places—with different contractors, subcontractors and employees working side by side. Construction accidents are complicated for that very reason.
What are some common causes of crane accidents in Atlanta, GA?
OSHA lists these reasons for many of the common causes of crane accidents in Atlanta, GA:
- Crane collapses
- Overturned crane
- Contact with a power line
- Struck by a crane load
- Struck by other crane parts
- Boom collapse
- Falls from a crane or crane basket
- Rigging failures
- Collisions
- Crushing by the counterweight
- Bystander injury or death
Other factors can include old or ill-maintained equipment and newly or poorly trained crane operators and outside workers.
What kinds of injuries result from crane accidents?
More than half of injuries resulting from crane accidents are fatal, according to the Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau. Other injuries tend to be quite devastating, including limb loss and electrical burns. Laborers, electricians and welders are especially vulnerable to being injured by a crane accident.
Are there different types of construction cranes?
Civil engineers recognize seven types of construction cranes:
- Telescopic crane–These cranes have tubes placed inside of one another for extensions.
- Mobile crane–These are placed on movable platforms.
- Truck mounted crane
- Tower crane—These cranes are often used in the construction of skyscrapers.
- Rough terrain crane–These are mounted on top of four-wheel trucks.
- Overhead crane—These are normally used in a factory.
- Loader crane—These are used to load equipment onto a trailer.
Can I file a workers’ comp case as well as a personal injury claim after a crane accident?
Yes, you can file a workers compensation case as well as a personal injury claim after a crane accident. The workers compensation is a right you and your employer have for you to be covered in case of an accident at work. There is no proof of fault required, only of the injury itself. A personal injury claim may be brought as well, and generally is filed against a manufacturer, third-party company or even municipality.
Don’t try to figure out these complicated legal issues along. Give our attorneys a call at 404-400-4000 and let us help you as quickly as possible.
Do I need separate attorneys for a workers’ comp case and a personal injury claim?
If you employ an attorney from John Foy & Associates, you will not need separate attorneys a workers comp case and a personal injury claim. Our 20-plus attorneys have the experience and know-how to file both. That way, we can keep you abreast of progress in both cases, making sure you get the help you and your family need as quickly as possible.
Do I have a time limit (statute of limitations) to file a crane accident claim?
Yes, in a workers compensation case, you have thirty days to notify a supervisor of your injury. This can be informal. And you have one year from the date of an accident to file a workers compensation case.
In a personal injury case, the statue of limitations is generally two years from the accident, but there are instances when the period is much shorter. We urge you to give our workers compensation and personal injury attorneys a call as soon as you can at 404-400-4000. You need the proper medical treatment and enough coverage to continue on with your life.
If my loved one was killed due to a crane accident, do I have a legal claim?
We are very sorry for your loss. Construction accidents tend to strike down the most vital among us. Yes, specific family members have the right to file a wrongful death claim if a loved one is killed due to a crane accident. Family members can sue for lost wages, medical and funeral costs, as well as a loss of companionship. John Foy & Associates has years of experience in these sorts of cases. We know that we can’t bring back your loved one—we can only help get you legal compensation.
How can John Foy & Associates help me after a crane accident?
A crane accident can send a family from middle class to near poverty when a wage owner is injured or killed. John Foy & Associates understands that pain. For more than 20 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping people who have been injured due to another’s negligence. This may be the one time you need a personal injury attorney, but it won’t the first time we’ve taken on a case like yours.
We’re situation in the heart of Atlanta because we’re dedicated to being members of this community. We have deep ties to the medical community and we make sure our clients get the best treatment. Give us a call at 404-400-4000 for a free consultation. You won’t be responsible for any fees. We take our payment from the settlement.