Construction Crane Regulation Needed to Prevent Crane Accidents
For construction accident lawyers who have been practicing for years in Chicago, it is not unusual to find their crane accident cases referencing the standards of numerous governing bodies. According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimate, there are approximately 96,000 construction cranes in the United States. While much of the construction industry falls under tight regulation controlled by local, state, or federal oversight, the construction crane industry involves a complex regulatory framework that may include multiple jurisdictions and safety standards. This can present a number of legal issues to victims of crane accidents, making it imperative to address the situation through experienced construction accident attorneys.
The current regulatory framework for crane safety is largely based on OSHA standards first implemented in 1971 and later updated through additional rulemaking, including OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard. These regulations provide requirements for crane maintenance, recordkeeping, and inspections, which are generally required annually. OSHA also enforces compliance with these standards through inspections, citations, and penalties for violations. OSHA continues to review and refine crane safety requirements and enforcement policies to address evolving workplace hazards. Construction cranes can be a towering hazard at construction sites, potentially endangering both operators and construction workers.
Lack of Crane Operator Regulation
Construction crane accidents continue to present serious safety concerns across the United States. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), crane-related incidents have resulted in numerous workplace fatalities and injuries over the years, particularly in the construction industry. In response to these risks, OSHA has implemented operator certification, training, inspection, and safety requirements designed to reduce crane-related accidents. However, compliance failures, inadequate training, equipment defects, and improper crane operation can still place both workers and nearby pedestrians at risk. As crane construction accident attorneys have noted, crane accidents can endanger not only crane operators and construction workers, but also members of the public working or living near active construction sites.
Clifford Law Offices Has Experienced Construction Crane Accident Lawyers
Clifford Law Offices has represented victims of construction accidents for decades, including cases involving crane-related incidents and other hazardous conditions on construction sites. The firm has handled fatal and non-fatal catastrophic injury claims arising from alleged construction negligence, unsafe worksite conditions, equipment failures, and inadequate safety procedures.
The combined experience of the construction accident attorneys spans decades of personal injury and wrongful death litigation in Chicago. Clifford Law Offices’ construction accident lawyers examine the circumstances surrounding each accident, including whether faulty design or construction, improper maintenance, inadequate inspections, equipment malfunctions, or negligent safety practices contributed to the incident. The firm also evaluates the full extent of a victim’s damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, future medical care, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, and other potential damages available under the law.
The construction accident lawyers at the firm embrace the theory that those responsible for construction crane accidents must be held accountable for their negligent actions. Clifford Law Offices represents victims’ families and gets the answers they deserve. Please call Clifford Law Offices, experienced construction accident attorneys and unsafe premises attorneys, at (312) 899-9090.
Construction accident lawyers and attorneys with Clifford Law Offices are experienced in representing victims of construction crane accidents.
