Crane accidents often cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, and the process of pursuing compensation is complex and time-consuming. During this difficult time, choosing a lawyer is one of the most important decisions you need to make.
The Lafayette crane injury lawyers at Galloway Jefcoat understand how devastating crane accidents can be and how to build a strong case for compensation. Firm partner and co-founder Rusty Galloway worked on an oil rig and has firsthand knowledge of the dangers of maritime work.
Whether you were involved in operating the crane or were working nearby, either onshore or off, our firm may be able to help you. We have extensive knowledge of the laws governing these claims and how to determine the value of damages that often result from crane accidents.
Give us a call today to set up a free consultation to discuss your injury or your loved one’s injury. We have been securing compensation for Louisiana injury victims for more than 25 years.
Are You Eligible to Seek Compensation?
Generally, if you were injured in a crane accident through no fault of your own, you should be eligible to seek compensation for your damages.
Due to the complex nature of these types of claims, you should strongly consider calling our firm to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss what happened and how we may be able to assist you in addition to reviewing some of the following factors to help determine the validity of your claim:
- Where the accident happened
- Who was involved in operating the crane?
- Other parties besides your employer involved at the job site
- Whether negligence was involved in your injury
- Whether the crane malfunctioned due to a defect
There are a variety of crane accident cases we are prepared to take on. Many occur while cargo is being loaded or unloaded on shore. Workers may get injured because of:
- Overloading
- Cables snapping
- Failing to clean around the crane
- Exceeding the crane’s operational limits
- Improper setup of the crane
- Arm collapses
- Operating a crane in the wrong location
- Unstable cargo
- Malfunctioning equipment (winches, remote controls, hydraulic handling mechanisms, counterweight valves, etc.)
- Operating a crane in inclement weather
- Not following safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
These accidents may involve a variety of cranes, such as:
- Hammerhead cranes
- Overhead cranes
- Telescopic crane
- Sidelifter
- Stacking crane
- Ship to shore crane
- Rough terrain cranes
- Gantry cranes
- Bulk handling cranes
- Floating cranes
- Post panamax cranes
- Deck cranes
- Tower cranes
- Panamax cranes
If you are unsure if you may have a case, call Galloway Jefcoat. The initial consultation is free of charge.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Liability for a Crane Accident
While employers are often liable for maritime injuries, including those that result from crane accidents, there are other parties that may be liable. This is one of the reasons you should strongly consider hiring an attorney to assist you.
Our Lafayette crane injury lawyers have the resources and legal knowledge to thoroughly investigate the accident to determine the parties that may bear fault for your injuries. These other parties may include:
Cargo Loaders
If they put too much cargo on a crane, it could fall to the ground and injure workers in the area.
Crane Operators
Operators must be cautious, because little mistakes or oversights could put workers at risk of serious injury.
Equipment Manufacturers
If your accident was the result of defective or malfunctioning equipment, the manufacturer may bear liability for any injuries. Even if the manufacturer did not know about the defect, they could still bear liability for your injuries.
General Contractors or Subcontractors
Work on a dock is sometimes contracted out to other parties. If their workers cause you to suffer an injury because of poor training or supervision, the contractor or subcontractor in charge of their workers may be liable for any resulting injuries or damages.
Site Operators
They may hold liability if they failed to ensure a site was running smoothly and procedures were being followed. They could also be found at fault for your injury if they allowed defective or old equipment to be used.
Our Lafayette crane injury attorneys have detailed knowledge of the many factors involved in these accidents. Our goal is to hold all responsible parties accountable and pursue maximum compensation for your damages.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
Damages You May Be Eligible to Pursue
If we find you have a valid case, we are prepared to seek maximum compensation for the damages you suffered. However, the type of claim we file will determine the types of compensation we may be able to pursue on your behalf.
If your injury occurred on shore, our Lafayette longshore injury attorneys may be able to file a claim under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). In these claims, you can seek compensation for your medical bills along with disability benefits for the time you are out of work.
However, if a third party is at fault for your injury, we may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. In this type of claim, we could seek compensation for medical bills and lost wages, in addition to things like pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
If your injury happened while working offshore, such as on an oil rig, our Lafayette offshore injury attorneys may be able to sue your employer under the Jones Act. This law gives maritime workers who do at least 30 percent of their work offshore the right to sue their employer for negligence that resulted in an injury.
In a Jones Act claim, you can pursue personal injury damages, along with maintenance and cure. Maintenance provides for daily living expenses while cure provides for payment of your medical expenses.
If your loved one passed away while working at sea, we may be able to file a claim under the Death on the High Seas Act. This law allows you to seek compensation for the economic effects of your loved one’s death. This may include things like lost wages, funeral costs and lost pension benefits.
The value of your claim is based on the severity of your injuries and various other factors. It is important to seek experienced legal help, as the process of pursuing compensation is complicated. Our experienced attorneys have helped many maritime workers seek compensation and we know how to evaluate damages victims suffered to assess their full value.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
How Much Time Do I Have to Seek Compensation?
It depends on the type of claim being filed. While each case is different, standard deadlines for crane accident claims include:
- Three years from the date of the injury for a claim under the Jones Act
- Three years from the date of death for a claim under the Death on the High Seas Act
- One year for claims under the LHWCA
- One year for a personal injury lawsuit
You also have just 30 days from the date of the injury to notify your employer if you intend to file an LHWCA claim.
The clock is probably already running on your claim. That is why it is important to contact a lawyer right away to determine if you may have a case and so your lawyer can get ready to file. It takes time to build a case and gather evidence, so it is to your benefit to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
"Great experience, from day 1 I felt like I finally had someone on my side and that feeling didn't leave me for 1 single moment."
What to Do After a Crane Accident?
While taking steps to help build a case is important after an accident, it is not more important than getting treatment. Crane accidents are often catastrophic and seeking treatment right away could not only improve your long-term prognosis, but it could also save your life.
Once your injuries have been stabilized you can start thinking about what to do next. As these situations are complex for a variety of reasons, you should give serious thought to contacting a lawyer.
You may have many questions about your rights, the value of your damages, and other factors. An experienced attorney can answer those questions and guide you through the legal process, which can give you some peace of mind during this stressful time.
While you should exercise caution when discussing the situation with your employer, it is important to inform your employer about your injury right away. However, be careful with signing things, as you want to avoid signing away your rights. You can discuss these documents with your lawyer first.
If coworkers or others witnessed the incident, ask them if they would be comfortable acting as a witness for your legal claim. Witness statements could help overturn a denial of an LHWCA claim or strengthen a lawsuit or Jones Act claim.
Injuries Often Caused by Crane Accidents
The injuries that occur in crane accidents are often severe and life-changing. Victims may suffer amputations, spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
Other potential injuries may include:
- Electrocutions
- Crush injuries
- Caught in-between injuries
- Severe lacerations
Call a Lafayette Crane Injury Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a crane accident through no fault of your own, our attorneys may be able to help you seek compensation. We understand compensation cannot change what happened, but we have seen how helpful compensation can be as victims look to treat their injuries and move forward.
Our firm has obtained millions in compensation on behalf of injury victims in Lafayette and the surrounding areas. The initial consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation for you to hire our firm to help you.
You do not need to take on the legal process alone, particularly after a devastating injury.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
