Houston Crane
Accident Lawyer
What Should You Do After a Workplace Injuries?
Cranes are essential on construction sites, industrial facilities, ports, warehouses, and other large-scale projects. They are also capable of causing devastating injuries when equipment fails or safety procedures are ignored.
A dropped load, crane collapse, electrical contact, unstable setup, or operator mistake can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, amputations, or death.
Roxell Richards Law Firm represents workers and families harmed by serious workplace accidents. We investigate what caused the crane incident, identify every responsible company, and pursue available compensation for medical expenses, lost income, disability, pain, and other losses.
If you were injured by a crane at a construction site, industrial facility, warehouse, port, or other workplace, you should not have to determine liability on your own.
Contact Roxell Richards Law Firm today for a free case review.
Why Choose Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm?
Serious crane injuries may involve large contractors, construction companies, equipment manufacturers, and insurers with substantial resources.
More Than 20 Years of Personal Injury Experience
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm states that it has approximately 20 years of experience representing people injured because of negligence.
Free Case Evaluation
You can discuss what happened, your injuries, and your legal options without paying an upfront consultation fee.
No Attorney’s Fees Unless We Win
Qualifying workplace injury cases are generally handled on a contingency-fee basis. Attorney’s fees are paid only when compensation is recovered.
Detailed Crane Accident Investigations
Our legal team can examine inspection reports, maintenance records, lift plans, training records, witness statements, contracts, and other evidence needed to determine how the crane accident happened.
Identification of Multiple Responsible Parties
A crane accident may involve the general contractor, subcontractor, crane owner, rental company, manufacturer, maintenance provider, rigging company, or another party.
Trial-Ready Representation
When insurers refuse to accept responsibility or offer fair compensation, Roxell Richards Law Firm can prepare the claim for litigation.
Who May Be Responsible for a Crane Accident?
More than one party may share liability.
General Contractors
A general contractor may be responsible for unsafe site coordination, inadequate safety procedures, or failures involving crane operations under its control.
Subcontractors
A subcontractor may cause an accident through unsafe rigging, poor communication, improper loading, or other negligent practices.
Crane Owners
The company that owns the crane may be responsible for maintenance, inspections, or equipment condition.
Crane Rental Companies
Rental businesses may be responsible when they provide defective or poorly maintained equipment.
Crane Operators
An operator may cause an accident by exceeding load limits, ignoring safety procedures, or operating equipment negligently.
Rigging Companies
A rigging contractor may be responsible for improperly attaching or balancing a suspended load.
Equipment Manufacturers
A manufacturer may be liable when defective crane components, safety systems, controls, hooks, cables, or other equipment contribute to an accident.
Maintenance Contractors
A maintenance company may share responsibility when negligent inspection or repair allows dangerous equipment to remain in operation.
Property Owners
A property owner may be responsible for certain site conditions under its control.
Identifying every responsible party can matter because each company may have different insurance policies and legal duties.
Common Causes of Crane Accidents
Crane Tip-Overs
A crane can overturn when it becomes unstable.
Potential causes include:
- Excessive load weight
- Improper outrigger placement
- Weak ground conditions
- Incorrect crane setup
- Operating beyond load limits
- High winds
- Failure to follow manufacturer instructions
A crane tip-over can injure the operator, workers on the ground, drivers, pedestrians, and people in nearby structures.
Dropped Loads
A suspended load can weigh hundreds or thousands of pounds.
Loads may fall because of:
- Rigging failure
- Broken hooks
- Defective slings
- Improper load balancing
- Operator error
- Equipment malfunction
- Excessive load weight
OSHA safety rules emphasize keeping workers clear of suspended loads because of the potentially fatal consequences of falling materials.
Crane Collapses
Structural crane failures may involve:
- Damaged booms
- Improper assembly
- Metal fatigue
- Failed connections
- Inadequate maintenance
- Excessive loads
- Engineering defects
A collapse can affect an entire worksite and may cause multiple injuries or fatalities.
Power-Line Contact
Cranes can become extremely dangerous when the boom, load line, or suspended material contacts an energized power line.
Electrical current may travel through the crane and injure:
- Operators
- Riggers
- Signal persons
- Ground workers
- Anyone touching the equipment
OSHA specifically identifies crane contact with power lines as a major hazard addressed by its crane regulations.
Rigging Failures
Rigging equipment connects the load to the crane.
Failures may involve:
- Worn slings
- Damaged chains
- Defective hooks
- Incorrect rigging configuration
- Improper load calculations
- Insufficient inspection
Even when the crane itself functions properly, defective rigging can cause the load to shift or fall.
Operator Error
Crane operation requires specialized knowledge.
Errors may involve:
- Moving a load too quickly
- Exceeding rated capacity
- Ignoring warning systems
- Poor communication
- Unsafe boom positioning
- Operating in dangerous weather
OSHA generally requires covered construction crane operators to be appropriately trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated before operating the equipment.
Poor Communication
Crane operations often require coordination between operators, signal persons, riggers, and workers on the ground.
Confusing or missing signals can lead to:
- Unexpected crane movements
- Workers entering danger zones
- Loads striking structures
- Loads moving before workers are clear
Inadequate Maintenance
Cranes contain complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and structural systems.
Poor maintenance may result in:
- Brake failures
- Hydraulic problems
- Damaged cables
- Defective controls
- Structural deterioration
- Sensor failures
Maintenance records may become important evidence when determining whether a dangerous condition was known before the accident.
How Dangerous Is Construction Work?
Crane accidents often happen within an industry that already faces substantial safety risks.
BLS reported that 5,070 workers died from job-related injuries nationwide in 2024, equivalent to approximately one worker every 104 minutes.
Construction had 1,034 private-industry workplace deaths, the highest total among private-industry sectors.
Construction and extraction workers also had a fatal injury rate of 12.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers in 2024, compared with an overall occupational fatality rate of 3.3 per 100,000 workers.
These numbers highlight why crane inspection, operator qualification, rigging safety, and jobsite coordination matter.
Common Crane Accident Injuries
Crane accidents can cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Electrical injuries
- Severe burns
- Neck and back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Because crane accidents often involve heavy loads or falls from height, injuries may be catastrophic.
Evidence That May Strengthen a Crane Accident Claim
Crane cases often depend on technical documents and physical evidence.
Important evidence may include:
- Accident-scene photographs – Images can document the crane position, suspended load, ground conditions, outriggers, nearby power lines, and surrounding work area.
- Surveillance and jobsite video – Video may show how the crane was operating immediately before the accident.
- Crane inspection reports – These records may reveal earlier equipment defects or required repairs.
- Maintenance records – Service histories can help determine whether recurring mechanical problems were ignored.
- Operator certification and training records – These documents may show whether the operator satisfied applicable qualification requirements.
- Load charts and lift plans – Crane capacity varies depending on boom angle, radius, configuration, and other factors. These records may help determine whether the lift exceeded safe operating limits.
- Rigging inspection records – Slings, hooks, chains, and related equipment may need examination when a load falls or shifts.
- Witness statements – Coworkers may have observed equipment problems, unsafe instructions, or events immediately before the accident.
- Contractor agreements – Contracts can help establish which company controlled crane operations, rigging, maintenance, and jobsite safety.
- OSHA records – Inspection documents, citations, or investigation materials may provide additional information about workplace safety practices.
- Medical records – Diagnostic imaging, surgical reports, rehabilitation records, and physician evaluations help document the severity and long-term effects of the injury.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on the type of claim, compensation may include:
Medical Expenses
A claim may cover:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Diagnostic imaging
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medical equipment
- Future care
Lost Income
Workers may seek compensation for wages lost during recovery.
Reduced Earning Capacity
A permanent injury may prevent a worker from returning to crane operation, construction, industrial work, or another physically demanding occupation.
Pain and Suffering
A qualifying third-party claim may include compensation for physical pain and disruption to everyday life.
Disability and Physical Impairment
Crush injuries, spinal damage, amputations, and other severe injuries may permanently limit independence.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Surgery, burns, amputations, and other injuries may create lasting physical changes.
Wrongful Death
When a crane accident is fatal, eligible family members may have claims involving lost financial support, companionship, and other losses.
What Should You Do After a Crane Accident?
1. Seek Medical Attention
Get medical treatment immediately and explain that the injury occurred at work.
2. Report the Accident
Notify your employer or supervisor and request a copy of any written incident report.
3. Document the Scene
When it is safe, photograph the crane, load, rigging, surrounding area, and visible injuries.
4. Identify Witnesses
Collect personal contact information from coworkers or other people who witnessed the accident.
5. Preserve Safety Equipment
Keep damaged helmets, harnesses, clothing, or other equipment when possible.
6. Follow Medical Restrictions
Attend appointments and comply with work limitations provided by healthcare professionals.
7. Be Careful With Recorded Statements
Insurers or company representatives may ask for detailed statements before the investigation is complete. Consider obtaining legal advice first.
8. Contact a Crane Accident Lawyer
A lawyer can investigate the equipment, companies involved, workers’ compensation coverage, and potential third-party claims.
Speak With a Houston Crane Accident Lawyer Today
A crane accident can leave a worker facing surgery, lost income, permanent disability, and uncertainty about whether returning to the same career will ever be possible.
At the same time, contractors and insurers may begin investigating immediately.
Roxell Richards Law Firm can examine the crane, preserve technical evidence, review inspection and maintenance records, identify responsible contractors and manufacturers, and determine what compensation may be available.
Because crane injuries often involve overlapping workplace and third-party claims, our Houston Workplace Injury Lawyer page provides additional information about workplace benefits, employer coverage, and negligence by outside companies.
Contact Roxell Richards Law Firm today for a free case review.
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm
6420 Richmond Avenue, Suite 135
Houston, TX 77057
Call: (713) 974-0388
Text: (832) 480-7413
Free case review. No attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered.
Attorney Roxell Richards
This Houston Personal Injury Lawyer service page is provided by Roxell Richards Law Firm, a Texas-based personal injury law firm representing individuals and families harmed by negligence, unsafe conditions, defective products, and other preventable incidents. With a focus on Texas personal injury law, the firm helps injury victims understand their legal rights, navigate insurance and liability claims, and pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
Roxell Richards, attorney and founder of Roxell Richards Law Firm, brings more than 20 years of experience representing clients in personal injury and civil litigation matters across Texas. Her practice includes serious and catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, disputed liability, insurance coverage issues, and complex claims involving multiple responsible parties. The firm emphasizes clear communication, individualized case evaluation, and client-focused representation throughout the legal process.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals injured because of another party’s negligence are encouraged to consult with a Houston personal injury lawyer regarding their specific circumstances.
LEARN YOUR WORKPLACE INJURY ACCIDENT RIGHT NOW!
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