While there are a multitude of potential hazards on construction sites, cranes are among the largest and most dangerous pieces of heavy machinery. Construction accidents involving a collapsing crane or other crane related injury are more common than many people realize. There are as many as sixty people that die each year in crane accidents on construction sites throughout the country. Crane accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death from a wide variety of hazards including falling loads, crane collapse incidents, electrocutions from contact with power lines, falls from the cab or platform and entrapment accidents.
The wide variety of types of crane accidents means those in and around cranes on construction sites must be vigilant regarding this multitude of risks. The most common causes of crane accidents include operating cranes on uneven terrain or slippery ground as well as overloading the crane. When a crane is used to lift an object that exceeds the weight capacity rating for the crane, it can result in devastating injuries. These types of accidents can result in severe injuries including spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia, traumatic brain injuries that may rob a victim of his or her cognitive abilities and other permanent debilitating injuries that require life-long supportive care.
Construction site injuries like crane injuries are complicated because worker’s compensation provides the exclusive remedy against an employer. If the injuries suffered are severe, this compensation can leave a victim woefully under compensated. Sometimes the manufacturer of the crane, the sub-contractor that owns the excavation equipment or other third parties may be liable for crane accident damages. Our experienced Mississippi crane accident attorneys at Barrett Law always carefully investigate this possibility because personal injury damages against an entity or individual other than your employer can be far more lucrative than a worker’s compensation claim.
It is important to understand the urgency involved in seeking legal advice when you are injured in a construction accident. The environment on a construction site is dynamic and ever evolving so the sooner you seek legal representation the quicker experts can examine the equipment and accident scene. Sometimes defective or poorly maintained equipment is repaired destroying critical evidence. In other situations, dangerous uneven terrain may be leveled, which also can create challenges in providing evidence of negligence.
At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi crane accident attorneys represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. If you are injured by negligently operated or maintained heavy equipment on a construction site, our experienced Mississippi crane accident injury attorneys may be able to help you obtain compensation in both a worker’s compensation and personal injury claim. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.