Crane & Heavy Equipment Accident Claims
Crane collapses, excavator accidents, and heavy equipment failures are among the most catastrophic incidents on construction sites. The enormous forces involved — cranes can lift hundreds of tons and excavators weigh tens of thousands of pounds — mean that equipment accidents frequently result in fatal or life-altering injuries. According to OSHA, crane-related incidents cause dozens of worker fatalities each year, with many more serious injuries going unreported.
At Roden Law, our crane and heavy equipment accident attorneys represent injured workers and bystanders throughout Georgia and South Carolina. We investigate equipment failures, operator errors, and safety violations to hold every responsible party accountable.
Types of Heavy Equipment Accidents
Construction sites use a vast array of heavy machinery, each presenting unique hazards:
- Crane collapses and tip-overs: Overloading, improper setup, high winds, and ground instability causing cranes to collapse
- Struck-by incidents: Workers hit by crane loads, excavator buckets, backhoe arms, or falling objects from equipment
- Caught-in/between hazards: Workers crushed between heavy equipment and fixed structures or pinned by moving components
- Rollover accidents: Bulldozers, forklifts, and loaders overturning on uneven terrain
- Electrocution: Cranes and aerial lifts contacting overhead power lines
- Hydraulic failures: Sudden loss of hydraulic pressure causing booms, buckets, and platforms to drop without warning
OSHA Heavy Equipment Standards
OSHA’s crane and derrick standards for construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) establish comprehensive safety requirements including certified and licensed crane operators, pre-operation inspections of all equipment, load capacity calculations and load chart compliance, ground condition assessments for crane setup, minimum clearance distances from power lines, signal person requirements for crane operations, and regular equipment maintenance and inspection records.
Additional OSHA standards govern excavation safety (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P), earthmoving equipment (29 CFR 1926 Subpart O), and general equipment safety. Violations of these standards are powerful evidence of negligence in injury claims.
Determining Liability
Crane and heavy equipment accidents frequently involve multiple responsible parties:
- General contractors: Overall site safety responsibility and OSHA compliance obligations
- Crane and equipment operators: Duty to operate safely and within equipment specifications
- Equipment owners and rental companies: Duty to maintain equipment and ensure proper inspection
- Equipment manufacturers: Liability for design and manufacturing defects under product liability law
- Subcontractors: Responsibility for their work areas and equipment
- Property owners: Potential liability for site conditions and contractor selection
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
Victims of crane and heavy equipment accidents may pursue workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment and wage replacement, plus third-party negligence claims for pain and suffering, permanent disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, and full lost earning capacity. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), recovery is available if less than 50% at fault. South Carolina permits recovery if less than 51% at fault. In cases involving fatal injuries, surviving family members may file wrongful death claims. Our attorneys work with crane engineers, accident reconstructionists, and OSHA compliance experts to build compelling cases for maximum recovery. Contact Roden Law for a free consultation.