Crane accidents can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured in one, a Kansas City construction accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
The aftermath of a crane accident can be overwhelming. During this difficult time, you may have to deal with steep medical bills, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation, not to mention emotional trauma.
Foster Wallace has recovered over $1 billion for clients like you. If you’ve been in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, a Kansas City crane accident lawyer from our team can take on your case and fight for your rights.
How Can a Crane Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve been in a crane accident, a lawyer can do the following to help:
- Investigate the accident: A lawyer can work with experts to determine the cause of the accident and identify responsible parties.
- Gather evidence: A lawyer can collect crucial documents, such as accident reports, medical records, and witness statements.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but a skilled attorney can negotiate a fair settlement.
- Represent you in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can defend your rights in court.
Most importantly, a Kansas City personal injury lawyer can provide peace of mind while you recover from the accident.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Crane Accident Case?
Victims of crane accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: This includes coverage for hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation programs, and any ongoing or future medical treatments.
- Lost wages: Victims can recover the income they lost due to time missed from work.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability that compromises your ability to work, you may receive compensation for that.
- Pain and suffering: These damages account for the physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, and overall reduction in quality of life caused by the accident.
- Wrongful death: In the tragic event of a fatal crane accident, surviving family members may be eligible to recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased’s income and benefits, and the emotional suffering caused by their loss.
A crane accident lawyer in Kansas City can calculate your damages and fight for fair compensation.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Crane Accident Lawsuit?
Since every case is different, there is no average settlement for a crane accident lawsuit. The settlement amount for a crane accident lawsuit can vary depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries, who is liable, and the extent of economic and non-economic damages.
Settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. A crane accident attorney in Kansas can provide a more precise estimate based on your unique situation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Crane Accident Claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally five years from the date of the accident. However, if the accident resulted in a wrongful death, the statute of limitations is typically three years from the date of death.
A Kansas City crane accident attorney can make sure you file your claim on time.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Crane Accident?
Liability in a crane accident case depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Construction companies: Construction companies can be held liable if they fail to follow proper safety protocols or provide inadequate training and supervision to crane operators.
- Crane manufacturers: Manufacturers can be liable if the accident was caused by a defect in the crane or one of its components, such as faulty wiring, hydraulic failure, or design flaws.
- Property owners: If dangerous or poorly maintained worksite conditions contributed to the crane accident, the property owner can be held liable for not ensuring a safe environment.
- Crane operators: Individual operators may be held liable if their negligence, inexperience, intoxication, or failure to follow safety procedures played a role in the accident.
- Third-party contractors: Other subcontractors or third-party companies on the job site can be held responsible if their actions or equipment contributed to the crane accident.
A lawyer can investigate the accident and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Common Causes of Crane Accidents
Crane accidents occur for various reasons, including:
- Operator error: Crane accidents often happen due to mistakes made by the operator, such as misjudging loads, operating the crane without proper training, or working while fatigued or distracted.
- Mechanical failure: Accidents can happen when cranes or their components fail due to defective parts, poor maintenance, or wear and tear that was not properly addressed.
- Overloading: When a crane is tasked with lifting more weight than it was designed to handle, the excessive load can cause the crane to tip over, collapse, or break.
- Improper setup: Setting up a crane incorrectly—such as not securing it on level ground or failing to follow manufacturer guidelines—can lead to instability and potential collapse during operation.
- Adverse weather conditions: Operating a crane during strong winds, lightning, or other hazardous weather conditions can increase the risk of accidents due to reduced visibility and compromised equipment stability.
- Electrical hazards: Crane booms or loads that come into contact with overhead power lines can cause electrocution injuries to operators and ground workers.
Common Crane Accident Injuries
Crane accidents often result in serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Burns and electrocution injuries
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
If you’ve sustained any of these forms of harm in a crane accident, a personal injury lawyer in Kansas City can help you pursue damages.
Contact a Kansas City Crane Accident Attorney Today
No one deserves to be injured due to unsafe working conditions. And when one of these accidents occurs, the responsible parties should be held accountable.
At Foster Wallace, we’re committed to helping workplace accident victims secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident, a Kansas City crane accident attorney from our team can help you pursue justice. It may be your injury, but it’s our fight.
Don’t wait to take action. Schedule a free consultation today and start building your case.
