Crane work concentrates extraordinary weight and mechanical force into a single lift. When rigging gives way or a crane tips, workers can suffer catastrophic harm within seconds.
If you suffered an injury on a crane job, a Florence crane accident lawyer could evaluate who planned the lift and controlled the equipment. At Busald Funk Zevely P.S.C., our construction injury attorneys can analyze your accident to shape both the benefits claim and any recovery available beyond the employer-based system. Reach out to our office today to schedule your consultation.
How Do Crane Failures Develop During a Lift?
Crane failures frequently begin before the load leaves the ground. A sling may be worn or mismatched to the load, while an improper sling angle can increase force beyond the component’s rated capacity. The operator may also be asked to exceed the load chart or use a lift configuration that reduces safe capacity.
Stability creates a different risk. Outriggers need support, and the ground must bear the imposed pressure, so weak soil or poor cribbing can cause a tip-over. Electrical contact can occur when a boom or load line reaches an overhead power line. Signaling failures may trigger unexpected movement when the operator and ground crew lack a clear command system. When investigating your crane accident, our Florence attorneys examine these failures and identify which company controlled the relevant decision.
Workers’ Compensation Alongside a Third-Party Claim
Workers’ compensation is generally the exclusive remedy against an injured employee’s own employer for a covered workplace injury. Crane operations, however, may involve separate businesses that supply equipment or personnel. Another company could lease the crane or employ the operator, so negligence by a non-employer can support a separate civil claim while you pursue benefits.
The two claims are connected. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 342.700, a workers’ compensation carrier holds subrogation rights against a third-party recovery, meaning the legal strategy should address settlement and reimbursement questions together rather than after one claim has been resolved. When handling your crane failure case, our lawyers serving Florence can evaluate whether another entity is a true third party and coordinate both claims so decisions in one proceeding do not unnecessarily reduce the value of the other. We treat combined benefits and third-party cases as among the most substantial workplace matters we handle.
Equipment Records Can Explain What Failed
Physical damage tells only part of the story after a crane failure. Records show whether the machine suited the planned lift and whether the required inspections occurred. Load charts and lift plans can show whether the following details matched the planned lift:
- Boom length
- Radius
- Counterweight setup
- Estimated load weight
Inspection and maintenance logs may reveal recurring defects or deferred repairs, while service history can identify earlier work on load-bearing systems. Operator certification establishes whether the person controlling the crane held the qualifications required for that equipment. Requesting these materials early is important, as electronic files may not remain available and paper records can become harder to trace once contractors leave the project. When examining your crane crash case, our Florence attorneys use those records to connect the mechanical evidence with decisions about the lift before and during operation.
Contact a Florence Attorney About Your Crane Accident Claim
A crane failure can involve two legal claims. One involves workers’ compensation and the employment relationship. The other may involve a third-party claim based on an outside company’s conduct. Your case can depend on identifying both claims early and understanding how each affects the other.
A Florence crane accident lawyer could review the circumstances of the lift and pursue the records needed to evaluate the crane. At Busald Funk Zevely P.S.C., we bring decades of experience and aggressive advocacy to disputed workplace injury claims. Contact our attorneys to discuss what happened and the options available to you.