Las Vegas Crane Accident Attorneys

The crane load handling operation is a fundamental and widely used activity in platforms for constructing buildings of all kinds in Las Vegas. As this is a high-risk job, no margin for error is allowed. The quality of the training of the professional responsible for the operation is what will guarantee the safety and success of the execution. Operator training can be done both personally and on simulators. When this is done, future professionals are subjected to specific procedures that can often avoid putting their lives and the lives of others at risk. The equipment can also be damaged, for all this, the control of the risks inherent to the operation of this equipment must be meticulous, to avoid serious accidents derived from the overturning of the machine, and falling objects, among others.

Cranes are heavy machines that are manufactured with high technology such as safety valves, automatic locks, and everything to guarantee safety and avoid the possibility of overturning as much as possible. But, even today, many phenomena occur, since the professionals, when carrying out the technical visit at the operation site, ignore crucial factors that could end in tragedies. There are 1 to 2 accidents per month with hydraulic articulated cranes or cranes. All this is because, in cargo handling operations, risks are always present, and it is not possible to eliminate them. The way out is to anticipate problems and take actions that guarantee acceptable levels of security. Our team of expert Las Vegas accident lawyers will oversee offering help if you or one of your family members suffers an accident with a crane and needs to make a proper claim.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF CRANE ACCIDENTS IN LAS VEGAS?

The causes of crane accidents are numerous, and even in certain cases determining the cause can be extremely difficult. Here are some of the most common causes of these types of accidents in Las Vegas:

• The crane collapses due to technical failures,
• The crane encounters overhead power lines,
• Defects and failures in the parts that make up the crane,
• Accidents caused by human errors committed during the disassembly, assembly, or rigging of the crane,
• Professionals without training and without using adequately sized equipment,
• Inattention or carelessness can cause serious accidents, even with the risk of death,
• Loads or objects falling from the crane and injuring people down below,
• Misunderstandings in the signaling and mistakes when controlling the movement of the crane,
• Crane loads colliding with buildings, scaffolding, and other structures.

  Other factors may also contribute to these accidents. Some of them are:

• The height at which the crane is used,
• Adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds,
• The driving speed of the crane,
• Breakage of the steel cable.

TYPES OF INJURIES RECOGNIZED IN CRANE ACCIDENTS CLAIMS IN THE STATE OF NEVADA

Injuries that arise due to misuse or negligence when operating a crane can range from mild to severe. Therefore, the state of Nevada recognizes many injuries in these types of claims, among which are:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bone injuries
• Nerve damage injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Slip and fall injuries
• Abdominal injuries
• Loss of limbs or amputations, etc.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AFTER A CRANE ACCIDENT?

If you are the victim of a crane accident, the most important thing is to react immediately, and act.

• Seek medical help. The first step to take in the event of an accident of this kind is to call 911 and get medical help. In serious cases, it is appropriate to request the services of the Fire Department.
• Report the accident. After securing medical attention, it is necessary to issue an accident report to the authorities (police, fire department, etc.). This document must be made in the shortest possible time after the accident.
• Investigate the causes and collect evidence. Carrying out a risk analysis and investigating the reasons that caused the accident is necessary to understand what happened and to be able to determine who was responsible for the event. For this, it is important to collect and document information about the accident and take backup photographs and videos. Also, talk to potential witnesses to the incident.
• Contact a lawyer. Communicating with an experienced crane accident attorney is essential to completing all the procedures necessary to formulate a claim.

PROCEDURES TO AVOID CRANE ACCIDENTS

Safety measures for handling cranes that can considerably reduce the risk of accidents are detailed:

1. Only trained and qualified operators should drive cranes.
2. The movements of the crane during the lifting/lowering operations of the load must not be abrupt.
3. Never exceed the rated capacity of the machine. Knowledge of the load and its weight, dimensions, and lifting points, among other measures. Information like this is essential for a safe and risk-free operation.
4. The stabilizer arms of the crane must be fully opened and locked before starting the lifting operation.
5. The choice of the crane and its respective integration in the vehicle must be appropriate to the load to be handled.
6. Never pull, drag, or lift any load placed on the side of the boom.
7. The supports on which the stabilizing shoes of the crane will rest must be suitable and adequate to support the load and distribute it equitably on the ground.
8. Maintain information about any failure or damage to the crane. Wait for the defects to be fixed and then continue with the work.
9. Ask the crane machinery supplier to carry out load distribution and stability studies and compare these studies with the installation carried out by the vehicle integration company.
10. Do not refuel the machine with the engine running. Fires and explosions can occur if these simple rules are not observed.

LIABILITY IN A CRANE ACCIDENT IN LAS VEGAS

Liability in crane accident cases may be directed at equipment owners, operators, companies in charge of the equipment, or government entities. These will be the ones who will have to compensate the victim(s) for damages. Your lawyer must reconstruct the facts to determine who will be the defendant by providing evidence to support this assertion.

Depending on the investigation he makes of your case, your crane injury attorney may direct the claim to:

• Heavy Equipment Owners
• Crane operators
• Construction inspectors
• Civil Engineers
• Architects
• Crane manufacturers
• Construction companies
• Government entity

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CRANE ACCIDENT CLAIMS IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

For all legal claims, the US law establishes a period known as the statute of limitations. In Nevada, the statute is applied according to the category of the claim. A crane accident claim is contained within the personal injuries statute, therefore, a two-year time frame from the date the accident takes place will apply to file the claim. Likewise, it must be considered that the statute may have variations according to who it is addressed, so it is best to talk with your lawyer as soon as possible to be able to receive compensation and don’t encounter any difficulties in your claim process.

WHAT DAMAGES CAN I RECOVER IN A CRANE ACCIDENT CLAIM?

Ultimately, a crane accident can be very damaging. Its victims usually show multiple consequences, both in the economic and psychological fields. Among the damages that can be claimed as compensation in cases of crane accidents, we have:

Economic damages:

• Medical expenses, invoices for preliminary diagnoses, treatments, surgeries, therapies, and medications.
• Physical rehabilitation expenses.
• Lost wages due to inability to work.
• Loss of future income.

Non-economic damages:

• Pain and physical suffering.
• Emotional and psychological stress.
• Loss of quality of life.

HOW CAN A CRANE ACCIDENT CLAIM ATTORNEY HELP?

In crane injury claims, an experienced attorney can help you in the following ways:

• Offer a free legal consultation.
• Report the incident to the insurance companies and try to reach an agreement.
• Determine who is responsible for the injury.
• Review all evidence and collect missing evidence if necessary.
• Register economic losses and value emotional losses.
• Being your legal representative in mediations or lawsuits.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED CRANE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN LAS VEGAS

Although it may seem like a very remote incident, crane accidents do happen. Due to the size of the equipment, its consequences become significant in terms of damages. Our law firm is made up of professionals specializing in Las Vegas personal injury claims, who are willing to fight for the best outcome for your case. We choose to work on contingency fees, which means that you will pay us only if we obtain a resolution to your claim. For us, your case is our priority, so if you are looking for more information and a free legal consultation, contact our team of expert crane injury attorneys at Heidari Law Group today at 1-833-225-5454.