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Crane Accident in Machesney Park, Illinois

by | May 21, 2024 | Construction Accident, Personal Injury

There was a crane accident in Machesney Park, Illinois on May 20, 2024.  According to reports, a building that was under construction collapsed, causing three lifts to fall over.  Each of the three lifts had a worker in it at the time of the incident.  Two workers were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The construction industry is fraught with hazards, and one of the most severe risks is the potential for cranes to fall over as a result of an under-construction building collapsing. Cranes are integral to lifting and moving heavy materials on construction sites, but their stability can be severely compromised if the structure they are working on fails. A collapsing building can create a domino effect, leading to the crane losing its footing or tipping over, which poses a grave threat to workers on-site and anyone in the vicinity.

The primary cause of a crane falling over due to building collapse often stems from inadequate structural integrity of the building under construction. If the building’s framework is not properly supported or if there are design flaws, it can lead to a sudden collapse. This structural failure exerts unexpected forces on the crane, which may not be designed to withstand such lateral or downward pressures. As the building collapses, it can pull the crane down with it, especially if the crane is anchored to the structure or if the falling debris strikes the crane’s base or superstructure, causing it to topple.

The consequences of such an incident are catastrophic. A falling crane can cause extensive damage, not only to the construction site but also to surrounding areas, potentially impacting nearby buildings, roads, and public spaces. The risk of serious injury or death is high for crane operators and construction workers, who may be trapped or struck by falling debris and the crane itself. Additionally, the cleanup and recovery efforts are complex and costly, involving significant downtime and financial losses. Preventing such disasters requires stringent safety protocols, regular inspections, and ensuring the structural soundness of both the crane and the building under construction.

There have been a number of recent incidents involving cranes.  A crane collapsed at the Venture Global LNG construction project in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on April 16, 2024.  A crane collapsed during construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 24, 2024.  There was a crane accident in Braintree, Massachusetts on May 1, 2024.  One person was killed when a crane fell onto a cement truck in Houston, Texas on May 16, 2024.  There was a deadly crane accident in Park City, Utah on May 18, 2024.

Companies, supervisors, and workers may not be fully aware of the hazards of operating cranes.  As a result, they may not have implemented proper policies and procedures to minimize risks.  One mechanism to safely evaluate and prepare for risks is through the use of a Job Safety Analysis (“JSA”) or Risk Assessment, which is standard in the industry.  When this does not occur, it can result in catastrophic personal injury or death.  In a JSA, each step of the job is examined to identify potential hazards and to recommend the safest way to perform the work in order to minimize those risks.  According to OSHA:

A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. Ideally, after you identify uncontrolled hazards, you will take steps to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level.

Our experienced lawyers have handled personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits of all kinds and have the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of a crane accident. The experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident involving a crane.

Our lawyers have represented numerous workers who have sustained serious and catastrophic injuries on a job site as a result of the negligence of another party.  Our experienced attorneys have previously been involved in numerous lawsuits involving cranes.  There are strict and short time limits on making claims, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.