Just days after a tragic 2008 New York City crane accident that resulted in seven deaths, authorities arrested and charged a crane inspector in connection with the construction accident. The trial, which wrapped up last week, shed light on a significant problem in the construction industry—a lack of adherence to safety measures that are intended to save lives.
The charges stem from a New York City crane accident on March 15, 2008, in which a 200-foot crane came crashing down, leaving in its wake a block-long path of destruction in midtown Manhattan and causing seven deaths, according to news reports.
Building Department records that were checked pursuant to the subsequent investigation indicated that the crane was inspected just days prior to the accident. The inspection was completed following a complaint filed about the crane on March 4, 2008, and found nothing wrong with the crane, according to city records. Further investigation, however, proved that the inspector who claimed to have inspected the crane did not actually conduct the investigation.
Unfortunately, this may not have been an isolated incident. Additional evidence presented at the trial pointed to numerous occasions when the crane inspector was supposed to be out inspecting cranes, but was actually at home or near his home, leading to the conclusion that other inspections reported to the Building Department may never have taken place as well, according to the news story.
New York City Crane Accidents
The construction industry in general can be extremely dangerous, for both workers and civilians who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when an accident occurs. Crane accidents in particular represent one of the biggest risks to anyone involved in the construction industry. Cranes are routinely used in the construction industry, making them a common piece of machinery on any construction site. The size and complexity of a crane, coupled with the tasks a crane is used to accomplish, make them dangerous, even when operated by a competent operator.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, crane accidents take an average of 80 lives each year across the nation, and hundreds more are injured by crane-related accidents. The most common Injuries in crane accidents are those caused by falling objects and injuries caused when the crane collapses.
Crane accidents happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Inexperienced operator
- Operator distraction or negligence
- Surface instability
- Improper assembly or disassembly of the crane
- Attempting to move a load that is too heavy for the crane
- Defect in the manufacture of the crane
- Lack of proper maintenance on the crane
- Failure to follow appropriate safety measures.
New York City has implemented additional laws and regulations relating to the operation and inspection of cranes since the 2008 tragedy. Although these laws and regulations require crane operators to be properly licensed, and cranes to be inspected regularly, the laws and regulations are not always followed. Unfortunately, failing to follow safety regulations may lead to crane-related injuries or even deaths.
If you have been injured in a New York City crane accident or have lost a loved one as a result of a New York City construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries or loss you have suffered. Given the inherent danger of cranes, operators, employers, manufacturers and inspectors should be held responsible when their negligence leads to injuries or loss. The New York construction accident lawyers at Ginarte Gonzalez &Winograd may be able to help.
With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation, or fill out our online contact form.