Los Angeles Crane Accident Attorneys

Serving Injured Workers Throughout Los Angeles County

A crane accident can happen in an instant and leave you facing serious, life-altering injuries. What makes crane accidents legally distinct from many other construction injuries is that they frequently involve more than just your employer when it comes to figuring out what went wrong and who should be liable for it. Crane operation, maintenance, and equipment ownership are often handled by separate companies entirely, which means your case may involve more than one path to compensation.

At Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers, we have spent more than 30 years representing injured workers across California, and as your chosen Los Angeles crane accident attorneys, we know how to investigate these cases thoroughly and pursue every party that may be responsible. After a crane accident, get medical care, then talk to us.

Call us at (888) 740-6434 today for a free consultation with our team.

Common Types of Crane Accidents

Crane accidents tend to result in some of the most severe injuries seen on any construction site, largely due to the size, height, and weight involved in crane operation.

Crane accident cases we have seen as attorneys include:

• Crane collapses caused by structural failure, overloading, or improper assembly
• Falling loads due to rigging failure or mechanical malfunction
• Tip-overs caused by unstable ground conditions or exceeding load capacity
• Electrocution from contact with overhead power lines
• Mechanical failures resulting from poor maintenance or defective parts
• Being struck by a crane's boom, load, or counterweight during operation

Workers' Compensation Benefits After a Crane Accident

If you were injured in a crane accident while performing your job duties, California's no-fault workers' compensation system entitles you to benefits regardless of who was at fault. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be entitled to medical treatment coverage, temporary disability payments while you recover, permanent disability benefits for lasting impairment, and death benefits for surviving family members in the tragic event of a fatal accident. Getting those benefits, even though they are technically “owed” to you, might not be straightforward, though.

When Multiple Parties Share Responsibility

It is common for a crane to be owned and operated by a separate rental or rigging company, inspected by a third-party contractor, or manufactured by an entirely different company than the one that employs you. When one of these outside parties contributes to your crane accident through negligence, a defective part, or improper maintenance, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against them in addition to your workers' comp benefits.

A third-party claim can recover damages that workers' comp does not cover, including full lost wages and pain and suffering. While our practice is focused on workers' compensation, we can help you understand how your crane was owned, operated, maintained, and inspected leading up to your accident, so you know whether pursuing that kind of additional claim with a personal injury attorney may be worthwhile.

Crane Certification Requirements

California holds crane operation to a high regulatory standard. Under Cal/OSHA Title 8 Sections 5006.1 and 5006.2, crane operators must hold a valid certificate of competency from an accredited certifying organization, which requires passing a physical exam, a written exam, and a hands-on skills evaluation specific to the type of crane being operated. Tower cranes are also subject to additional Cal/OSHA operating permits and inspection requirements, and within the City of Los Angeles, erecting a tower crane typically requires an additional permit through the Department of Building and Safety.

When an operator is not properly certified, or when required inspections and permits were skipped, that failure can become important evidence, both in establishing third-party liability and in evaluating whether your employer's own conduct contributed to the accident. Allow our team to work with third-party experts to investigate what misconduct might have contributed to the crane accident that left you seriously injured at work.

Start a Crane Accident Claim with Our Team

Whether you are recovering from your own injury or grieving the loss of a family member after a crane accident in L.A., Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers is ready to investigate every angle of your case. Our attorneys can fight for the full workers’ comp benefits you deserve, so the road ahead looks less unsure.

Call us today at (888) 740-6434 for a free consultation with a Los Angeles crane accident attorney.