Crane Accidents

Mobile and tower cranes are an essential part of today’s construction and maritime shipping industries.  Despite augmented safety regulations and training for employees working on or around these heavy machines, crane accidents continue to seriously harm and kill scores of workers every year. According to the Board of Labor statistics, at least 60 deaths annually are attributed to crane collapses, crane-related electrocutions and other dangerous accidents.

Louisiana has the unfortunate distinction of ranking among the top five states with the highest number of crane-related fatalities. This is no surprise given the industrial construction boom that fueled the Baton Rouge area’s economy over the past few years. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed due to a faulty or poorly supervised crane, call Lafayette and Baton Rouge crane accident lawyer Bart Bernard right away to learn your legal rights.

Crane operators and construction laborers have the right to a safe workplace. When training and safety protocols go unheeded, or negligence leads to catastrophic injury, victims need the counsel of an experienced crane accident attorney– one who is well-versed in Louisiana worker’s compensation claims and known for getting optimum results.

Bart Bernard and his talented legal team have many decades of hard-won experience handling all types of construction injury claims. When you’ve suffered incapacitating harm in a crane accident – or lost someone you love – you need representation of the highest caliber. Attorney Bart Bernard will explore all avenues of legal recovery and can assist innocent bystanders or passers-by with pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against responsible parties.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific standards relating to crane operations on job sites, both for the people who operate them and those workers within proximity. Despite these federal mandates on proper training, inspection and use, blunders are made, and innocent workers or bystanders get hurt. From mechanical failures to human error, here are some of the leading causes of crane accidents on job sites:

• Improperly rigged cables and booms
• Operator error
• Overloading
• Crane striking a power line
• Used for jobs outside of machine specifications
• High winds and inclement weather
• Improper crane inspection and maintenance
• Mechanical malfunction or failure
• Falling debris
• Manufacturing defects

As a veteran Louisiana crane accident attorney, Bart Bernard has a thorough understanding of both state and federal regulations designed to keep construction workers safe. When injuries occur on the job, medical expenses and lost wages are partially covered by worker’s compensation, but these checks may not be enough to keep victims and their families financially afloat. Having a competent attorney with solid investigative skills is central to the success of your crane accident settlement. Whether your circumstances lead to a worker’s compensation or a third-party claim against liable entities, you can count on Bart Bernard for his steadfast commitment to getting justice on your behalf.

We understand the tremendous risks that crane operators and construction workers face every day on the job. Crane boom collapses and broken rigs cause devastating injuries that can drastically change every facet of one’s life. Many injuries and deaths are attributed to falling crane jibs or booms that strike workers beneath. Whether a crane tips over, drops its cargo, or smashes into adjacent structures, the following types of injuries can result:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck and back injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Electrocution
• Loss of limbs

If you suffered injury in a crane accident, partner with a construction accident attorney who will fight for the settlement monies you deserve. Bart Bernard offers skilled legal guidance and will protect your interests from the first consultation.

Bolster your chances of a success by taking the following steps after any type of jobsite injury:

• Seek medical attention
• Notify your work supervisor immediately
• Write down as many details about the accident
• Keep all medical records and out-of-pocket receipts
• Consult with your attorney

Insurance settlements take into account medical expenses, lost income as well as permanent injury or disability that affects future earning potential.  Ultimately, it is the goal of your attorney to ensure this figure adequately reflects the amount of economic hardship, physical pain and emotional suffering that victims have and will continue to endure in the coming years.

With successful litigation, clients may secure money damages for a variety of losses, including:

• Cost of future medical care
• Emotional distress related to the accident (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Loss of future earning potential
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Permanent disability
• In-home nursing
• Costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy

Louisiana construction accident lawyer Bart Bernard represents clients from all walks of life and believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy and healthy future. Born and raised in Lafayette, Bart has deep roots in the community and is proud to use his skills to help those in need.  His impressive case results speak to his legal talents both in and out of the courtroom, litigating a wide range of complex injury matters.

Explore your options for legal recourse after a crane accident. Reach out for a free consultation in any of our three office locations in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, LA.

1. OSHA.gov, Crane and Hoist Safety, https://www.osha.gov/archive/oshinfo/priorities/crane.html
2. S. Department of Labor; Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/cranehoistsafety/index.html
3. S. Department of Labor, Cranes and Derricks in Construction https://www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/index.html

Last modified: February 13, 2018