NBC News reports that one person has been killed and two others have suffered serious personal injuries when a crane toppled over in New York City. According to reports, the man was killed while walking to work. Construction crews had been working to secure the crane, when it collapsed and sent debris falling to the streets. Investigators are looking into the factors that may have contributed to the collapse including structural defects, weather conditions, and whether the conductor had drugs or alcohol in his system. An observer noted that the presence of cranes has been a sign of economic development; however, this incident should serve as a warning sign of the dangers associated with cranes and construction, and the need to ensure that safety precautions are strictly followed.
Statistics from the Bureaus of Labor and Statistics show that numerous crane accidents have occurred through the country in the last decade with California, Texas, and Florida having the largest number of fatal injuries. Further, while in this instance the person injured was a passer-by, the majority of injuries caused by crane accidents involved workers employed as construction laborers. The leading causes of accidents included contact with power lines, overturns, falls and mechanical failures. And, these accidents don’t just affect crane operators, but often other workers are injured, such as electricians, ironworkers, and carpenters.
If you have been harmed in a construction site accident involving a crane accident or otherwise, it is important to discuss your matter with an experienced Oakland personal injury lawyer. At Butler Viadro, we have years of experience helping individuals injured in all types of personal injury incidents – including crane accidents – obtain the compensation they deserve. For more information, contact our dedicated Oakland construction accident attorneys now for an immediate consultation.
