Houston Crane Accident Lawyer

Cranes are used in many industries in Houston, from dock work to construction or even offshore. As a construction worker, stevedore, longshoreman, or offshore rig worker, you’re likely near one or more cranes daily at work. You know how dangerous these large machines can be and how quickly a catastrophic accident can happen.

If you’ve discovered firsthand how terrifying and painful a crane accident can be, we can help you. At Havens & Associates, we’re committed to pursuing the maximum compensation for people like you who have been injured in a crane accident.

Call us today at (713) 955-2215 for a free consultation with a Houston construction accident lawyer.

How much does it cost to hire a Houston crane accident lawyer?

Havens & Associates works on a contingency basis. At our firm, everyone should have access to high-quality legal representation, so we only collect legal fees if we get paid.

We’re happy to discuss fees and payment during your complimentary initial consultation with a skilled Houston crane accident lawyer.

What’s the cause of most crane accidents in Houston?

Did you know that Texas leads the nation in crane accidents? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, more than 50 people perished in crane accidents in a recent six-year period, while dozens more grievously injured.

Like many construction and maritime accidents, crane accidents in Houston are primarily caused by human error. However, which mistakes, oversight, or negligence led to a painful accident and who is responsible varies significantly.

Crane accidents caused by human error can happen in some of the following ways:

Carelessness in handling equipment or tools – One mistake can lead to a deadly struck-by injury, whether being struck by the crane or by an object falling off the crane.
Overloading equipment – Although cranes are intended to move large, heavy loads, they have a weight limit. Exceeding the weight limit may cause an overturn accident, crane collapse, or boom failure.
Failing to secure the load – Even if the load is within the crane’s weight limits, if it’s not secured to balance correctly, many people may be severely injured or killed.
Poor training or supervision of crane operators – Crane operation requires comprehensive training and skill. Suppose a worker hasn’t been trained according to OSHA standards or is not adequately supervised for safe operation. In that case, the operator and the employer may be liable for any injury.

Other common causes of crane accidents

Lack of training may not be the only cause of an accident or construction crane falls in Houston. Other reasons a crane-related injury could happen include:

Nearly half of crane accident deaths happen in the construction industry, with maritime and oil and gas excavation not far behind. Crane operators are most at risk, followed by those responsible for building or dismantling a crane.

How can a Houston crane accident lawyer help me?

Texas doesn’t require business owners to carry workers’ compensation insurance, a benefit that covers all medically necessary care and lost wages. It’s optional coverage, so if your employer doesn’t have it, your only option for getting your medical bills and other losses paid for is filing a lawsuit against the negligent party.

A Houston crane accident lawyer can help you in multiple ways, including advising you which options for compensation are open to you. If you file workers’ comp, your lawyer can ensure no delays impact your claim and fight a denial by your employer or insurance company.

If you decide to file a lawsuit, a lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in the following ways:

Investigate the cause of the accident and identify all liable parties
Gather evidence necessary to prove a case
Depose witnesses under oath
Subpoena safety records of the job site, the crane manufacturing facility, or other likely defendant
Communicate with the other party on your behalf
File the initial lawsuit and any other motions and legal documents needed to move the case forward
Negotiate a settlement in mediation with the other party
Advocate for your interests in court and at trial

Your lawyer is your guide through the legal process and your protector, shielding you from antagonistic phone calls or emails from the defendant, their lawyer, and their insurance company. You can focus on healing while your lawyer pursues your claim.

Maritime crane accidents in Houston

Cranes are commonly used in Houston maritime and offshore industries. Many companies rely on these large machines to do the heavy lifting for oil rigs, ships, and more. Your legal options differ if you are a maritime or dockside worker or your job takes you into the Gulf or elsewhere offshore.

You may be eligible to demand compensation under the terms of The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act, which provides coverage of all medically necessary care for your injury and covers expenses for living and bills under the Act’s maintenance and cure provision.

More likely, you’re eligible for benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The LHWCA covers medical care and disability payments for injured stevedores and longshoremen who qualify. It also provides survivorship benefits for a worker who passed away from a crane accident injury.

How much does it cost to hire a forklift accident lawyer in Houston?

Many Houston forklift accident attorneys, like those at Havens & Associates, work on a contingency basis. This means we cover the legal costs upfront and assess fees as a percentage of any settlement or jury award we secure for you.

We are happy to discuss payment arrangements in your free initial consultation, which you can book by calling (713) 955-2215.

Who’s responsible for crane accidents?

Legally liable parties in a Houston crane accident can include other parties beyond the worker operating the crane. Potentially liable parties in your accident can include:

The crane’s owner
The site foreman
A contractor who negligently assembled the crane
The party responsible for training employees how to use the train
The party responsible for failing to make necessary repairs to the crane or keep it in good condition
The owner of the premises where the accident happened
The company that manufactured the crane or its designer

Liability in Houston crane accidents can quickly become complicated. The Havens & Associates legal team thoroughly investigates your accident so we can advise you of your legal options in the wake of a painful crane accident.

Your claim may have multiple liable parties, which may affect any compensation you may receive. However, insurance companies don’t usually pay large claims without a fight. They may play the blame game, trying to pin full responsibility for the accident on you – even if you were just a bystander.

Without a Houston crane accident lawyer by your side, your rights and interests may get trampled on, or the insurance company may delay until the statute of limitations for filing a claim runs out. An attorney fights for you and combats the tricks insurance companies try to pull.

What are the most common injuries associated with crane accidents?

The weight of a crane and the items it moves often means that in a crane accident, injuries are often catastrophic. Some of the most common ways people get injured by cranes include:

Traumatic brain injury
Injury to the neck and back
Spinal cord injury
Broken bones
Crushing injury
Damage to internal organs, soft tissue, or nerves
Traumatic amputation injury
Severe burns or electrocution injury

Any of these injuries may mean months of painful recovery without guaranteeing you’ll regain your abilities. You may end up with limited mobility or function or could become disabled and unable to continue in your current job.

Crane accident injuries also carry a psychological component. Many people become depressed or develop anxiety after a severe accident. These mental health struggles may be exacerbated by your struggles to get back to work or no longer being able to work.

Your compensation should cover all your losses, both physical and emotional. Let us properly value your claim.

What compensation can I get for a crane accident?

Your compensation after a crane accident depends on several factors, including your employment circumstances, where it occurred, and what kind of insurance coverage applies.

If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, then you may be eligible for:

However, workers’ compensation may not be an option for many injured Houston employees. In these cases, you often must file a lawsuit against the party or parties liable for the accident. In these cases, your damages can include:

All past, present, and future medical care
Rehabilitative therapy
Lost wages and loss of earning potential
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma or mental distress
Diminished quality of life
Damaged relationships

In some cases, a plaintiff may also be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are punishing in nature and assessed against defendants whose actions or negligence are egregious or demonstrate a marked disregard for the safety of others.

Are undocumented workers eligible for compensation, too?

If there is a valid employer-employee relationship between the undocumented worker and the company they’re working for, they may claim workers’ compensation if the employer carries it.

Being undocumented does not preclude someone from filing a personal injury lawsuit, either. You may be protected from disclosing your immigration status during the process, although a lawyer can provide more protections than you’d have alone.

Hurt on a crane at a construction site? Call us.

Have you or someone you love been hurt in a crane accident? Do you believe someone else’s negligence caused your injury? A Houston crane accident lawyer from Havens & Associates will help you seek justice and demand total compensation.

Call us at (713) 955-2215 for a free consultation.