Sarasota Crane Operator Injury Lawyer
Crane operators frequently are at risk of serious injuries in transportation-related accidents, as well as construction and excavation work. When a crane operator sustains a serious injury on the job, it is necessary to speak with a Sarasota crane operator injury lawyer as soon as possible to begin the process of seeking compensation. Most crane operator injury claims will lead to a workers’ compensation claim, but in some situations, a crane operator may be able to file a lawsuit.
Learning More About Sarasota Crane Operator Accidents and Injuries
Crane accidents are extremely serious, and many result in worksite fatalities. The following are some important facts and figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) pertaining to crane operator accidents and injuries:
- An average of 44 crane-related deaths occur annually;
- Men are disproportionately killed in crane accidents, accounting for more than 98 percent of crane accident fatalities;
- About 50 percent of crane accidents do not result in injury to the crane operator, but rather to a worker near the crane who is struck by an object or crane load;
- Majority of crane operator injuries happen when crane operators are working in construction and extraction industries; and
- Florida has the third-highest rate of crane accident fatalities in the country.
Filing a Sarasota Workers’ Compensation Claim for Crane Injuries
When a crane accident occurs and a crane operator sustains injuries, that crane operator may be able to obtain benefits by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Under Florida workers’ compensation law, an injured worker can be eligible for benefits regardless of fault. To be sure, workers’ comp is a no-fault system. As such, whether an employer or an employee is at fault, injured employees can be eligible for benefits through workers’ compensation. Yet the no-fault system also means that the injured worker cannot file a lawsuit against a negligent employer. At the same time, you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent to be eligible for benefits. All you must be able to demonstrate is that your injuries arose out of the course of your employment.
If you are an injured crane operator, here are some of the key things you need to know about filing your lawsuit:
- You must report the crane accident to your employer within 30 days of the injury;
- By filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may be eligible for temporary wage loss benefits, permanent disability benefits, and medical costs;
- You will need to have a medical examination; and
- If you are denied workers’ comp benefits, you have options for appealing.
Contact a Sarasota Crane Operator Injury Attorney
If you sustained injuries as a crane operator in or around Sarasota, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim in order to obtain wage replacement and medical benefits. If the crane accident occurred because of a defective crane part, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the designer or manufacturer. One of the experienced Sarasota crane accident attorneys at our firm can speak with you about your options. Contact Barbas Nuñez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian today for more information.
