Crane accidents frequently result in fatal or life-altering injuries. One of the most important steps for victims and their families is to meet with an experienced attorney to determine possible legal options. Victims may be eligible to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our Lake Charles crane accident injury lawyers know how difficult the aftermath of a crane accident can be. Our co-founding partner Rusty Galloway worked in the oil industry as a roughneck and drilling engineer. He has seen how someone else’s negligence can permanently alter a person’s life.
For over 25 years, we have helped injury victims secure millions in compensation throughout the state of Louisiana. If you were injured in an onshore or offshore crane accident, call us today to discuss your claim during a free consultation.
We can evaluate your claim and see if you are eligible for compensation, all at no out-of-pocket cost to you. At Galloway Jefcoat, you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Do I Have a Case?
Our attorneys need to review what happened to answer this question, as these cases can be very complex.
For example, if you were injured offshore, we may be able to file a claim under the Jones Act. In a Jones Act claim, we must prove your crane accident injuries were caused by the negligence of another. Negligence has four elements, all of which we would need to prove to have a chance of recovering compensation:
- A duty of care was owed to you
- There was a breach of the duty of care
- The breach of duty resulted in an accident
- Your injuries are directly related to the accident
We would also need to prove negligence if we were filing a claim under the Death on the High Seas Act.
Onshore crane accidents may be covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). These claims are like workers’ compensation claims.
Our attorneys have the resources to thoroughly investigate a crane accident. Crane accident investigations often include the following steps:
- Collecting evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Examining employment contracts
- Reviewing a company’s history of accidents
As we investigate a case, there are many factors that we may need to consider, such as:
- Where and when the accident occurred
- Who was operating the crane?
- Third parties at the job site
- Mechanical failures
"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."
Types of Crane Accident Cases We May Handle
If a crane was involved in the accident that caused your injuries, give us a call to discuss possible legal options. We have the resources and legal knowledge to take on many types of crane accident cases, including those involving things like:
- Cables that snapped
- Collapses of crane arms
- Failure to clean the area around the crane
- Cargo that was unstable
- Exceeding the operational limits of the crane
- Using a crane in bad weather or in the wrong location
- Overloaded cranes
- Equipment that malfunctioned, such as a winch, hydraulic mechanism, counterweight valve or remote control
- Failure of one or more people to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations
These and other types of crane accidents might involve different types of cranes, including but not limited to:
- Floating cranes
- Deck cranes
- Hammerhead cranes
- Telescopic cranes
- Stacking cranes
- Gantry cranes
- Panamax cranes
- Bulk handling cranes
- Ship to shore cranes
- And more
If you were doing your job and an accident occurred, there may be a case and you should strongly consider calling our Lake Charles crane injury lawyers. We are here to help and there are no upfront fees or obligations.
"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"
How Much is a Crane Accident Case Worth?
The amount of compensation we can seek may be limited by the type of claim you are eligible to file. The value of a case may also be greatly impacted by the severity of your injuries.
Filing a Claim Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
If you were injured in an onshore crane accident, our Lake Charles longshore injury lawyers may be able to help you file an LHWCA claim. This type of claim may provide compensation for your medical bills and disability while you are unable to work.
It is possible a third party that is not your employer may bear some fault for what happened. If that is the case, our attorneys may be able to file a lawsuit against that other party, in addition to seeking compensation through an LHWCA claim.
Filing a Claim Under the Jones Act
Injured workers who perform 30 percent or more of their work offshore, such as on an oil rig, may be able to file a claim through the Jones Act. Our Lake Charles offshore injury lawyers may be able to help you seek personal injury compensation from your employer as well as maintenance and cure (living expenses and medical bills for treating your injury).
Filing a Death Claim Through the Death on the High Seas Act
For offshore workers who are killed in a crane accident, family members may be able to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, lost pension benefits and more by filing a claim under the Death on the High Seas Act.
Our attorneys are prepared to help you recover the full value of your crane accident injury case. We have a proven track record of obtaining favorable compensation for our clients.
"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."
Who May Be Liable for My Damages?
Employers are often liable for damages that result from crane accidents. For example, employers may be liable for violating Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. However, there are often third parties that may bear liability for what happened, including:
Cargo Loaders
Most crane injuries occur during loading and unloading, so cargo loaders may be held liable for your damages if they fail to follow safety regulations and you suffer an injury.
Crane Operators
The person(s) operating the crane may also bear liability if they were negligent.
Equipment Manufacturers
Product manufacturers could be held liable if equipment malfunctions and causes an accident. In some cases, manufacturers can be held liable even if they were not negligent or they did not know there was a defect.
General Contractors or Subcontractors
Contractors and subcontractors are often brought in to handle different tasks. Workers employed by these entities could cause an accident through their negligence or the poor supervision of their employers.
Site Operators
The may be held be liable for your damages if they failed to uphold OSHA regulations or inspect equipment.
Our Lake Charles crane accident injury lawyers are prepared to investigate your crane accident to determine all parties that may hold liability so we can pursue full compensation for your damages.
"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."
Is There a Time Limit to File a Claim?
Yes, there is limited time to act. The deadline for your claim depends on the law that applies:
- Three years for a claim under the Jones Act
- Three years for a claim under the Death on the High Seas Act
- One year for claims under the LHWCA (must still notify your employer within 30 days of the injury)
If you suffered an injury in a crane accident caused by someone else’s negligence, give us a call today. Investigating an accident and building a case takes time and if you wait to call, you may be jeopardizing your chances of recovering compensation.
Steps to Take After a Crane Accident
The most important step to take after a crane accident injury is to seek medical attention. Crane accident victims often have catastrophic injuries and delays in seeking treatment could prove fatal.
After your injuries have been stabilized, you should strongly consider speaking to one of our Lake Charles crane accident lawyers to discuss your legal options. We understand you may have questions about the validity and value of your case, and we are prepared to answer those questions during your free consultation.
Informing your employer of your accident is also a top priority. Use caution when speaking with your employer, as you do not want to sign away your rights or accept a quick settlement offer for much less compensation than you may need.
You should also ask your coworkers or anyone else who witnessed the accident to provide a statement on what they saw to help back up your claim.
Call a Lake Charles Crane Injury Lawyer Today
If you suffered an injury in a crane accident caused by someone else’s negligence, let one of our licensed attorneys review your claim to see how we may be able to help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
Our attorneys have recovered millions in compensation on behalf of our clients over more than 25 years. We offer a free consultation with no obligation to take legal action. There are no fees while work on your case and we only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf, so there is no risk to you.
Co-founding partner John Jefcoat is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association: Top 100.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."