A 36-year-old man was working from a bucket lift for an electric company, securing one of several overhead power lines, when a crane toppled over.
The crane’s boom landed on the power lines, including the line the man was securing. The tremendous force catapulted him from the bucket lift like a human slingshot. His face struck the bucket as he was thrown, causing multiple severe injuries before his safety harness caught him and left him hanging unconscious.
BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm filed suit against the crane company on behalf of the injured worker.
Investigating What Caused the Crane to Topple
The case focused on the actions of the crane operator and the conditions under which the crane had been set up.
The lawsuit alleged that the crane operator was negligent by failing to properly level the ground where the crane’s outriggers were placed. It also alleged that sufficient matting had not been placed beneath the outrigger floats to adequately displace the forces created by the crane’s ground-bearing pressure.
These issues became central to determining why the crane lost stability and toppled while the worker was performing his job.
Overcoming Complex Legal Issues
As is often the case in crane accident litigation, determining how the accident occurred was only one part of the legal battle.
The case presented several complicated issues, including whether an agreement to lease the crane and crane operator had been signed, who had signed it, and what legal effect that agreement might have on the claims.
Another significant issue was whether workers’ compensation immunity applied and could potentially prevent the injured worker from pursuing the lawsuit against the crane company.
BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm litigated these and other issues for more than two years.
Case Resolves Through Settlement
After more than two years of litigation, the case was ultimately settled to the parties’ satisfaction.
Reflecting on the case, Joe Rinaldi of BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm explained the importance of having attorneys prepared for the complexities that can accompany serious injury litigation:
“It’s crucial that an injury victim hires an attorney who has sufficient knowledge and experience in handling the type of case that the victim has and who is willing to spend the time, effort, and money needed to overcome the defenses and prove the case.”
The case demonstrates how catastrophic workplace accidents can involve far more than determining what physically caused an injury. Equipment operation, site conditions, contractual relationships, workers’ compensation laws, and other legal issues can all become critical to an injured worker’s ability to pursue a recovery.