Hurt in a crane accident? Workers' comp may not be your only claim.
Workers' compensation usually covers injuries at work, but it rarely covers everything. When a company other than your employer caused the injury, such as a contractor, an equipment maker or a property owner, you may have a separate injury claim. That is the claim we handle. Free case review, no fee unless we win, and a real person answers 24/7.
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More about crane accidents
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Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice about your case.
Crane accidents: what to know
Tower cranes and mobile cranes lift loads of many tons high above workers, streets and sidewalks. When a crane tips over, collapses, touches a power line or drops its load, the result is often catastrophic, for the people on the site and for people nearby.
Federal rules for crane operators
Under the federal crane standard for construction, employers must make sure each operator is trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated before running the equipment, with limited exceptions (29 CFR 1926.1427). The employer's evaluation must show the operator can operate the specific crane safely and recognize and avoid risks. The same set of rules covers assembly, inspections, ground conditions, signals and work near power lines. In California, Cal/OSHA enforces state crane rules as well.
Common causes
- Overloading, or lifting outside the crane's rated limits
- Errors during assembly, climbing or disassembly of a tower crane
- Soft or unstable ground under a mobile crane
- Contact with overhead power lines
- Poor rigging, poor signals or an untrained operator
- High wind, or a mechanical or structural defect
Who can be responsible
- The crane owner or rental company, for inspection and maintenance
- The general contractor and the lift planner, for site control and the lift plan
- The rigging or erection company
- The crane or part manufacturer, for a defect
If you were hurt at work, workers' compensation is a separate matter. We handle claims against companies other than your employer, not workers' compensation claims. If you were a pedestrian, driver or neighbor, you can bring a claim directly.
What to do now
- Get medical care, and keep every record.
- Write down the crane company name, the contractors on the site and the witnesses.
- Keep photos and video. News and building cameras often record crane collapses.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer.
- Call us. Investigators and the companies' lawyers move fast, and the crane and its records must be preserved. Deadlines vary. There is no fee or cost unless we recover money for you.
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This is a paid advertisement for TORKLAW, not an offer or guarantee of results. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Some matters may be referred to partner firms as appropriate. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Tracy R. Horn, Esq. is responsible for this advertisement. Main Office: 18650 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612.