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Cranes are integral to the thousands of construction projects each year that contribute to the development of the Panhandle and all of Florida. However, as with any heavy equipment, cranes can cause a variety of debilitating injuries because of their sheer size.

If you are a crane operator or another construction worker and are injured on your worksite, you are most likely entitled to benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance—which is mandatory in Florida for almost all companies. There are many circumstances involving negligence that can support your construction accident injury lawsuit. For an in-depth assessment of your case, contact a Pace crane accident lawyer at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon.

Common Crane Accidents

Although there are myriad types of cranes, they all fall under two categories: static or mobile. Static cranes are fixed to the ground or building, while mobile cranes move on treads or wheels around a construction site. A person must be skilled and alert to operate a crane to lift and move tons of material and move it, often above the heads of others. Tragically, crane mishaps can still occur due to various factors, including:

  • Defective equipment
  • Crane rigging failures
  • Operator not properly trained
  • Overturning or collapsing cranes
  • Proper safety protocols being ignored
  • Loads dropped while the boom or mast is in the air

Each of these circumstances can amount to negligence on somebody’s part. As a knowledgeable crane injury attorney in Pace can explain, these incidents often involve negligence from more than one party, with each of the parties sharing liability.

The Role of Negligence in Crane Accidents

After reviewing evidence in your crane accident case, a lawyer can guide you toward an insurance settlement, construction accident lawsuit, or workers’ compensation insurance claim. Construction accident lawsuits must be supported by evidence of negligence. This requires demonstrating that the responsible party had a duty to act reasonably but failed in that duty, causing an accident with foreseeable injuries to you, the plaintiff.

Compensation can be awarded for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damage—such as dealing with disfigurement or loss of a limb. The attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon understand the impact these losses can have on your life and will fight to get you fair compensation following a crane accident in Pace.

Modified Comparative Negligence

Florida’s 2023 tort reform discussed the transition from a pure comparative negligence doctrine to a modified one. Under the pure form, a plaintiff can recover damages even if they were up to 99 percent responsible for a crane accident. Under the modified doctrine, the injured party cannot be more than 50 percent liable to prevail in a claim. The awards for damages on both sides are proportionately reduced by the percentage of fault the jury assigns to the plaintiff.

Workers’ Compensation

Most crane accidents affect construction workers who are often employed by companies that are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Under Florida Statutes § 440.09, employees do not have to endure a trial and are compensated more quickly—without the burden of proving fault. This streamlined process offers vital benefits, including medical care and partial wage coverage. An accomplished Pace crane accident attorney can guide you through the filing process for this option after a review of your situation.

A Pace Crane Accident Attorney Handles Legal Aspects for You

Construction is a dangerous business, and accidents happen routinely. There is often confusion after an accident, leaving individuals unsure of what to do next. This can be compounded by factors such as your role at the construction company, whether your injuries stem from mechanical defects or another person’s negligence, and the intensity of your pain and suffering.

You deserve to be fairly compensated for your injuries through workers’ compensation, an insurance settlement, or a negligence lawsuit. A Pace crane accident lawyer at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can help you handle the legal aspects of your case so you concentrate on recovery.