Crane Accident Kills Construction Worker
A number of construction site accidents in Arizona are caused by crane accidents. About one-fourth of all crane accidents are caused by cranes overturning because loads are not secured properly or because of improper assembly or disassembly. Crane accidents in Arizona can be devastating and often fatal because of the sheer weight of the equipment that can crush and kill a worker instantly.
Such a gruesome tragedy recently occurred at a bridge construction site when a boom snapped off a small crane and crushed the crane operator. According to an article, the 48-year-old construction worker was standing next to the crane and operating the hydraulic boom when 8 feet of steel gave way and crashed upon him. Investigators are still trying to figure out why the boom fell. The man was killed on the spot.
In many cases, these entirely preventable accidents occur because of the lack of proper construction site safety procedures. The news article states that the contractor overseeing the bridge reconstruction project has been cited by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety violations in the past. It will be interesting to see whether safety violations or lack of training played a part in this fatal construction accident. The deceased worker apparently worked for a sub-contractor.
In construction accidents, injured victims or families of deceased victims can also file what is known as a "third party claim," where a negligent third party (an individual or entity other than the worker's employer) can be held liable. Examples of such third parties are contractors, sub-contractors or the manufacturers of defective products. While construction accident victims and their families in Arizona will be covered under the state's worker's compensation program, these benefits are hardly enough to compensate family for the loss of a loved one or a severely injured worker who has lost his or her livelihood. A third party claim will give the injured victim an opportunity to seek fair compensation for their serious injuries, damages and loss.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an Arizona construction accident, the skilled personal injury lawyers at Breyer Law Offices P.C. can help. We will thoroughly investigate your case, identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable if there was negligence or wrongdoing involved. Please call us today to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation.
Source article: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/08/25/2009-08-25_construction_worker_pinned_by_a_crane_is_killed_on_the_throgs_neck_bridge.html
