Miami Crane Accident Attorney
Nationally, crane accidents account for more than one in every five construction site deaths. While many tools, equipment and machinery used in the construction industry have become safer with the development and use of innovative safety features, tower cranes continue to be built taller, faster and with the capacity to handle larger and heavier loads. The possibility of a crane collapse from an excessive load, or falling objects from an unbalanced load, present significant risks of catastrophic injury to crane operators and anyone on or near the construction site. In the event of a crane accident, the Miami personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Alan Goldfarb, P.A. apply decades of knowledge and experience toward helping crane accident victims recover compensation from contractors, developers and other liable parties when crane operations are undertaken without the appropriate level of safety.
OSHA Safety Requirements Govern Crane Operations
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations cover tower cranes and helicopter cranes and related machinery, including hoists, elevators and conveyors. OSHA regulations require the use of proper safety equipment, such as slings, tag lines and cargo hooks, as well as personal protective equipment such as eye protection and hard hats secured with chin straps. Failure to adhere to OSHA regulation can be dangerous as well as unlawful.
Cranes pose a risk to the crane operator as well as other workers at the job site. While the crane operator of course needs to be well-trained in crane operation and safety, all employees at the work site should be properly trained in safety procedures for working with or around cranes. In addition to crane collapses and falling loads, cranes operating near overhead power lines run the risk of becoming energized, creating an electrocution hazard for the operator and others if the crane is not properly grounded. Other common reasons for crane accidents are:
- The crane is not properly set up, or the operation is not properly planned and coordinated
- The crane chosen for the job is inadequate or not suited to the task at hand
- Key personnel such as the crane operator, site supervisor or superintendent are inexperienced or unaware of safe crane operation procedures
- The crane is not set up properly, such as being placed on a solid foundation
- Crane outriggers are not extended properly
- Unguarded pinch points
- Clearances are insufficient to complete the lift
- The area around the crane operations is not kept clear
Contact Experienced Miami Construction Site Injury Attorneys for Your Crane Accident Case
Crane accident cases can be complex and involve multiple parties, including property owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, leasing companies, crane operators and others. The personal injury attorneys at Alan Goldfarb, P.A. are experienced in complex civil litigation and helping accident victims recover the full amount of compensation available. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Miami crane accident, give us a call at 305-371-3111, toll free at 866-936-9761, or contact us online for a FREE consultation with our legal team.
