Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.

Articles Posted in Crane Accidents

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As NYC crane accident lawyers who have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of construction site accidents, we understand the critical importance of proper training and licensing for equipment operators. Recently, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has announced significant changes to crane licensing requirements that will take effect on November 7, 2024. These changes aim to enhance safety standards and reduce the risk of accidents involving articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, and rotating telehandlers. Here’s what contractors and equipment operators need to know about these new regulations.

New Licensing Requirements

Starting November 7, 2024, the operation of articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, and rotating telehandlers in New York City will require a specific Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) license issued by the DOB. This new mandate reflects a growing recognition of the unique operational risks associated with these types of equipment. The new licensing requirements will cover the use of these cranes for tasks such as delivering and moving materials on construction sites.

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location of the Brooklyn Crane AccidentA tragic incident unfolded in Brooklyn last Thursday when a crane partially collapsed onto an apartment building. This unexpected and alarming event has raised significant concerns about construction safety and regulatory compliance. As seasoned crane accident lawyers, it is imperative to delve into the legal implications of such incidents, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols and the rights of affected parties.

The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. at 1442 44th St., where workers were using a boom truck to lift steel beams over a three-story building. According to the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB), part of the boom broke off, landing on the apartment building’s roof and in the backyard of a neighboring home. Miraculously, no injuries were reported despite the potential for a catastrophic outcome.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, swiftly arrived at the scene. All construction workers and residents were accounted for, and the intact portion of the boom was safely retracted. The investigation by DOB inspectors began immediately, focusing on determining the cause of the break and potential enforcement actions.

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Crane operator can easily be subject to het illness and fatigueAs New York City crane accident lawyers, we closely monitor industry trends and research to better understand the hazards that crane operators and inspectors face daily. A recent survey conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC) and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) Foundation sheds new light on the prevalent risks in the crane industry. Particularly, the findings highlight systemic risks like heat illness and fatigue, which significantly contribute to workplace injuries.

Survey Findings and Legal Implications

Direct Risks: Falls and Impact by Falling Objects

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Location of the boom truck collapse in Upper Manhattan5 construction workers were injured, including three seriously in a crane collapse that occurred in Upper Manhattan yesterday afternoon. The accident occurred around 2:30 pm at a construction site located at 3880 Ninth Avenue in Inwood. A crane attached to a small boom truck tragically collapsed, resulting in injuries to five construction workers.  3 of them suffered serious injuries. Investigation is ongoing with yesterday’s stormy conditions probably being a factor in the accident.  As crane accident lawyers deeply invested in the safety and rights of construction workers, this incident not only highlights the risks involved in such operations but also underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and legal recourse in the event of accidents.

In the wake of the collapse over 60 firefighters and EMS workers swiftly arrived at the scene. Their rapid action undoubtedly played a crucial role in managing the situation and minimizing further harm. However, while their response is laudable, it also brings to light questions about preventative measures and safety protocols that are essential in construction sites, especially those involving complex machinery.

Legal Implications and Worker Safety:

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crane accident lawyer nycA recent CBS New York investigation indicates that Monadock Construction was cited by NYC in the crane accident that occurred in Hells Kitchen last July and left 12 people injured.

Back in July a massive crane caught fire and collapsed onto a nearby building, causing widespread panic and property damage. Now, in a significant development, the city authorities have cited Monadnock Construction, the construction contractor responsible for the project, for failing to safeguard the construction site. This citation carries a potential penalty of $25,000, raising important questions about accountability and safety in construction operations.

The New York City Buildings Department took action by serving a violation notice to Monadnock Construction in late August. The notice clearly states that the company failed to safeguard “all persons and property affected by construction operations.” This is a fundamental requirement for any construction project, emphasizing the importance of safety measures in preventing accidents like the crane fire in Hell’s Kitchen.

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construction workers must be protectedIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry faced a crisis that often went unnoticed amidst the chaos of the world. While most were concerned with the virus’s immediate impact, there was another silent epidemic silently plaguing the hardworking individuals in the construction sector – drug overdoses.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has brought to the forefront a startling revelation: construction and extraction jobs topped the list with 162.6 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 workers during the first year of the pandemic. This staggering statistic is a wake-up call to the dire state of affairs within the construction industry.

The CDC report also revealed that the drug overdose rate in the United States increased steadily from 1999 to 2020. In 2021, the U.S. drug overdose rate was a shocking 50% higher than in 2019. While provisional data from 2022 showed a 2% drop in drug overdoses from the previous year, the construction industry still remains at the forefront of this crisis.

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crane accident lawyer nycIn the early hours of this morning, New York City was struck by yet another devastating crane accident. A crane belonging to New York City Crane & Equipment Corp. caught fire and partially collapsed into a neighboring building near Hudson Yards. The crane accident left five people injured, including a firefighter. As dedicated crane accident attorneys, our law firm understands the severity of such incidents and is committed to holding those responsible accountable. In this blog, we’ll examine the details of the recent accident and discuss the crucial role of seeking justice for the victims.

The tragedy unfolded when the crane, situated at 510 10th Avenue, suddenly caught fire around 7:30 a.m. Panic ensued as the top portion of the crane collapsed, striking a nearby building before crashing to the ground. In the chaotic aftermath, pedestrians sought safety, and passing cars sounded their horns in alarm. Though the situation could have been even more dire, six individuals sustained injuries.

New York Crane & Equipment Corp has a history of  safety violations

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crane in New yorkOn April 26th, as part of the second National Stand-Down to prevent struck by accidents among construction workers, two free webinars will be offered by the NORA Construction Sector Council.

The first webinar will take place from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and will focus on preventing struck by-accidents that occur around cranes and during lifting operations. According to statistics from the Center for Construction Research and Training, one crane accident occurs for every 10,000 hours of use. Crane collapsing or crane tipping are among the most common crane accidents. In these types of accidents, construction workers have a high risk to be crushed not only by the crane but also by the heavy material carried by the crane.  Most of the time these accidents occur because of human errors such as:

  • not using the manufacturer’s load charge for the crane
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Linemen have one of the most dangerous job in the construction industryDerrick workers in oil gas and mining, roofers, ironworkers, crane operators, construction helpers, landscaping supervisors, highway maintenance workers, cement masons, ground maintenance workers, maintenance workers and mining machine operators have some of the highest death rates among all workers. Out of the top 25 most dangerous jobs  in the US, 12 of them are related to the construction industry according to a recent study released by AdvisorSmith.

Derrick operators in the oil gas and mining industry whose job is to operate and maintain the derrick and drill equipment used to extract oil or gas have the third most dangerous activity of all American workers behind logging workers and aircraft pilots and flight engineers. The average yearly salary of a derrick operator is $51,390 and the average fatal injury rate is 46 per 100,000 workers.  20 of them died on the job  in 2018 according to the most recent data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Roofers who average a $42,100 yearly salary come right behind them with a fatal injury rate of 41 per 100,000 workers. 96 of them died in roofing accidents in 2018.

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construction NYCThankfully nobody was injured after a loose cable on a spinning crane hit a building under construction sending giant metal debris down the streets in Midtown Manhattan yesterday night around 7 PM and creating chaos.

The metal pieces fell from the 84th floor of  a high rise under construction at 111 West 57th Street. The spinning crane at the top of the building first  caused concerns that it could be loose or unstable but later on firefighters noticed that a cable hanging from the spinning boom was constantly hitting the building, destroying it and sending pieces of metal down the street near the intersection of 6th Avenue and 56th Street.

A crane crew was then sent up and the crane operator was able to get into the crane and secure the loose cable. The DOT issued a full stop work order for failure to safeguard public and property construction operations.