For many years, Seattle has been at the top of the list for the US city with the most cranes. From the seaport to the tops of high rises, tower cranes are a quintessential piece of the city’s skyline. Regardless of where you live in Washington state, cranes play a vital role in many industries.
Accidents involving cranes can be sudden and fatal, but most often they can be prevented by simply knowing what to look for. Here is what you need to know about tower crane accidents, injuries, and prevention:
Common Crane Accidents
According to the most recent information from the Department of Labor and Industries regarding accepted claims, the top five most common crane accidents are the following:
- Struck by an object: With cranes hauling heavy pieces and having swinging parts, it is not surprising that many workers are struck, most often by building materials.
- Overexertion: Crane operators spend many hours performing the same motions over and over again. While these accidents happen almost half as frequently as being struck by objects, they are still quite common.
- Bodily Reaction: Similar to overexertion, bodily reactions normally result from excessive physical effort or repetitive motion.
- Falls on the same level: The most common source of crane injuries are building materials and uneven ground. Many workers have tripped and fallen while loading the crane or performing regular maintenance.
- Caught or crushed by machinery: This kind of injury, while fatal, happens much less often than even slip-and-fall injuries.
While accidents can happen at any time, there are valuable steps you and your coworkers can take to prevent avoidable disasters and save lives.
Common Injuries from Crane Accidents
A decade’s worth of data shows that the most common injury reported to L&I from crane accidents is — by far — what the Department classifies as trauma to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, etc. Not only can muscle trauma result from blunt trauma such as being struck by materials or machinery, but these injuries also include sprains, strains, and tears. Overexertion, bodily reaction, and falls are all accidents that do not normally break the skin but rather affect muscles and joints upon impact or following excessive or repetitive motion.
Is My Tower Crane Accident a Third-Party Claim or a Washington State L&I Claim?
Third-Party Claim
A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your L&I claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.
Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
If your back injury leaves you out of work for an extended period of time, you may be entitled to compensation for pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Washington State L&I Claim
A Washington state L&I claim results from a workplace injury or industrial disease. An L&I claim is monitored and managed by an L&I Claims Manager who sees the process through from initial claim filing to closure. If all goes as planned, your claim is accepted by L&I and you will receive certain benefits.
When you are injured or contract certain types of illnesses at work, you are entitled to certain workers’ compensation benefits. You can file an L&I claim in Washington state through the L&I website’s File Fast tool, by calling the L&I office at 877.561.3453, or at your doctor’s office. After you file, it is imperative that you call an experienced L&I attorney to help you navigate the L&I claims process.
Our Seattle L&I and Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Will Help You Recover:
- Medical benefits: L&I medical benefits will cover all medical costs associated with your claim. This can include doctor appointments, treatments, surgeries, occupational therapy, and prescription medications.
- Time-loss benefits: If you are approved for time-loss benefits, you may receive compensation for the lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.
- Damages for pain and suffering: L&I settlement and award amounts vary widely and typically fall into three categories:
1. L&I disability pension: a life-long benefit awarded to injured workers who will never be able to return to any gainful employment due to a severe or life-threatening injury.
2. Permanent partial disability (PPD) award: a one-time sum paid to injured workers when their L&I claim is closed. The worker can re-enter the workforce following a PPD award.
3. Claim resolution settlement agreement (CRSA): an L&I settlement option where all parties agree to close an injury claim for a specified amount. When agreeing to this settlement type, the injured worker exchanges all future L&I benefits, except medical, for the payment.
We understand that many families depend on the income of an injured worker, and our L&I and Personal Injury Attorneys are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation you are entitled to by law. Our practice was founded on a commitment to advocating for workers’ rights, and we are proud of our record protecting the injured and disabled. Call us today for a Free Case Reiew with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how Emery | Reddy may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
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Your Washington State L&I Claim Is Worth More If You Also Have an Employment Claim
A significant number of Washington state L&I claims often involve additional legal claims such as employment or third-party claims. Many people file their claims without seeking representation from an experienced Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney and thus never discover that, in addition to their Washington state L&I claim, they may be missing out on the ability to file an employment claim or a third-party claim. Pursuing additional legal action with the help of an experienced Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney has the potential to significantly increase a claim’s overall compensation. At Emery | Reddy, our experienced Attorneys practice both Employment and Labor Law as well as Workers’ Compensation Law, which means we will investigate all aspects of your claim to make sure you aren’t missing out on any potential benefits.
Many injured workers find that their employer has taken, or plans to take, adverse action against them because they filed an L&I claim or they are out of work. You can file a lawsuit against your employer for several reasons, including retaliation, wrongful termination, discrimination, or unpaid wages. An L&I attorney who is experienced in both L&I — Workers’ Compensation Law and Employment and Labor Law can help you with your Washington state L&I claim while simultaneously filing a federal or state law claim for the violation of workers’ rights by your employer.
A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your Washington state L&I claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.
Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
How Do I Know If I Have a Strong L&I Claim?
If you have a Washington state L&I claim or wonder if you should contact an experienced Seattle L&I worker’s compensation attorney, ask yourself the following:
- Have I been denied the medical benefits to which I am legally entitled?
- Has L&I asked me to undergo an Independent Medical Exam (IME)?
- Do I have questions about the Washington state L&I claim process?
If any of the above apply to you, Emery | Reddy may be able to help.
Navigating a Washington state L&I claim can be difficult and very time-consuming, especially when you’re ill or injured. You want to focus on healing and make sure your bills are paid, but if you don’t file things properly or on time, your health, home, and job could be in jeopardy. Many individuals miss out on much-needed L&I benefits because they don’t understand what to do or how to get the most compensation for their injuries. If you are experiencing any challenges in your case, a Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney can assist you. By contacting Emery | Reddy as soon as possible after you’ve been injured, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls of filing and navigating an L&I claim. Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys are here for you every step of the way.
Emery | Reddy Can Help You with Your Washington State L&I Claim
Emery | Reddy is the only law firm in Washington state that is equipped to provide comprehensive representation on your case from every angle. Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys thoroughly assess every case to determine if our clients have additional claims, and at times this can extend far beyond the underlying workers’ compensation claim.
If you have been injured in the workplace, call Emery | Reddy today for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how we may be able help. No fee unless we recover for you.
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If you sustain a serious or life-changing injury and are no longer able to work, you could be entitled to a Washington state L&I disability pension.
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Meet the Team
The Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC are passionate about helping workers with L&I claims and Employment and Labor Law issues. We help workers.® It’s our motto and what drives us every day.
We know how L&I and big companies think, and we understand the tactics they use. Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys use that knowledge coupled with over eight decades of experience to help our clients get access to the L&I benefits to which they are legally entitled and hold employers accountable when they break the law.
If you’re struggling with a Washington state L&I claim, or legal issue at work, call us for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how Emery | Reddy may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
“Karolina Arthur at Emery | Reddy is simply a phenomenal person, she gave me a beacon of hope at a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed almost impossible. Not only did she go above and beyond for me, but she did it so quickly and efficiently that it was amazing!”
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