UK CRANE ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CLAIM

A crane accident often causes widespread devastation and whilst these are some of the most useful and widely operated items of plant on construction sites they can cause serious harm if misused. There is no other item of construction equipment, which has the capacity for causing as much damage or injuring so many people in an accident which frequently results in fatalities and often causes injuries of the utmost severity. Most serious incidents are caused by inadequate planning and supervision leading to instability and overturning. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and the closely linked Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 must now be complied in any mechanical lifting operation. The regulations place a duty on employers to ensure that every lifting operation involving lifting equipment is properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

All employers have a legal duty to take reasonable care for the safety of their staff. If an employee has a crane accident and is injured then an employer can be held responsible if it can be proved that the employer is negligent or has breached a statutory duty. Employers are required to provide safe equipment, machinery and plant and adequately trained co-workers. Employers must take measures to ensure that workers are not exposed to any health risk or hazard which may cause an accident and operators in particular are required to be fully trained and be aware of risks to co-workers during the operation of their equipment. Crane operators are required to take precautions to reduce the risk of an accident which include

• Making sure the load does not exceed rated capacity.
• Attaching the load above the centre of gravity for stability.
• Knowing the rated capacities of rigging and slinging.
• Inspecting all rigging before use.
• Attaching tag line prior to lift.
• Keeping personnel clear of lift area.
• Lifting load a few inches and verify rigging.
• Starting and stopping slowly.
• Watching for obstructions.
• Checking pathway is clear before making a lift.
• Verifying hook completely closes.
• Using appropriate hand signals.
• Never leaving load unattended.

If you are the innocent victim of a crane accident and have suffered injury as a result of an operator failing to take adequate safety precautions or as a result of an employer failing to adequately supervise operations then we can help you claim compensation. We are an independent network of UK solicitors offering free advice on no win no fee personal injury compensation claims. Win or lose you don't pay a penny and your compensation is paid in full. You will not have to fund or finance your claim in any respect.

If you would like free advice from a solicitor on claiming compensation then just complete the crane accident contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will telephone you without obligation.