The impact of a crane accident on your physical, mental, and financial well-being can’t be easy. These massive machines that are such a help to the construction industry are a detriment to anyone who is hurt by them. It is very unlikely to walk away with minor injuries after experiencing a crane accident. Regardless of your injury type, Morelli Law is ready to help.
On your road to recovery, you may have limited mobility and finances due to work being missed. Our law firm runs on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to worry about paying us upfront to do the legwork for your case. We have won many multimillion-dollar injury cases and will continue to advocate for victims like you who need trusted legal guidance.
Immediately after your accident, see a doctor, and then reach out to our crane accident attorneys in North Bergen, New Jersey, to discuss your case. If you want to know how we can help, we are willing to discuss specifics in a complimentary consultation, or you can read on to learn more.
The Ultimate Guide to Crane Injury Compensation
Compensation for any personal injury case can be complicated because the factors are dependent upon the facts of your case, the extent of your injuries, and the parties involved. With so many moving components, it is highly advised to retain the services of a legal team that can shed light on the following parts of your claim to increase your injury settlement offer:
Your Injury Impacts Your Settlement Amount
Construction accidents can cause a wide range of harm, from minor cuts and bruises to severe, life-threatening wounds. Common injuries that our firm has successfully recovered a payout for include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Head injuries, such as concussions or other TBIs, can have long-lasting effects on a crane victim’s cognitive function and behavior.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and other serious complications that are often life-altering.
- Broken bones: The force from coming into contact with a crane can cause broken bones or fractures, with some areas being worth more than others due to how heavily it affects your daily tasks.
- Crush injuries: When a person is pinned between the crane and another object, they can sustain crush injuries. Internal organs and tissues may suffer permanent harm as a result of such wounds.
- Soft tissue injuries: Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries from crane accidents can cause pain, swelling, and a restricted range of motion.
- Mental and emotional damage: Psychological damage can occur, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, rendering a person unable to function after experiencing such a traumatic event.
Additional Factors That Determine Settlement Value
Your compensation package should cover all accident-related costs that you would have to pay in order to fully recover. There is no cap on personal injury settlement amounts in New Jersey, but the average crane injury settlement consists of:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental Distress
- Disability or disfigurement
- Income changes (current and future)
- Diminished life enjoyment
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damages
How Shared Responsibility Can Reduce Compensation
New Jersey follows a comparative negligence model in which multiple parties can share responsibility for an accident and, if the extent is low enough, still claim an award. For instance, if you contributed to your crane accident in a small way, your conduct could be quantified to reduce your settlement amount by the extent of damage you caused.
This law can be challenging to work around, as there are specific factors that may disqualify you from winning a settlement at all. Your North Bergen, NJ, crane injury attorney can help you understand this law and others that impact your ability to collect a settlement.
Five Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Crane Injury Claim
Immediately take these actionable steps to solidify the strength of your crane accident’s personal injury claim:
- Seek Medical Care
If you were injured on the job, there may be a protocol to follow regarding medical care. Your employer may require you to see their in-network doctors in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Check with your employer’s insurance specialist right away about where to get medical care.
If you were a bystander and were hurt in a crane accident, seeking medical care immediately ensures that you have a record of your injuries that is consistent with what you experienced. Medical records are one of the most reliable forms of evidence in an injury claim.
- Document Details About the Accident Scene
This may be difficult to do depending on the severity of your injury, but if you are able to take pictures, record a video, or have a witness do it on your behalf, it will help your case. Contacting the authorities or filing an injury report will also provide details about the scene that may help us establish liability.
- Collect Witness Statements
Witness statements or the contact information of the witness will suffice. Witnesses can provide an alternate perspective of what caused the crane accident and pinpoint who may be responsible.
- Keep a Record of Expenses
Any expenses that are incurred due to your injuries, such as hospital co-pays, prescription costs, medical devices, Uber or Lyft rides, or any other spending, should be tracked and discussed with your lawyer for reimbursement in your crane injury settlement.
- Get Legal Help From a North Bergen Crane Accident Lawyer
Accidents that involve minor injuries or inexpensive damages can be handled without a lawyer, but a case of this magnitude where your health and future income are in jeopardy should be tactfully managed by a skilled attorney.
Before speaking with the insurers regarding your injuries, consult with a knowledgeable lawyer who can uncover your legal options and potentially, additional damages.
North Bergen Crane Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Statute of Limitations For Filing Your Crane Injury Claim
The statute of limitations in New Jersey is typically two years from the date of the accident or injury for bringing a personal injury claim, including one for a crane injury. This implies that failing to file your claim within two years of the crane accident date could result in you losing your ability to pursue compensation.
The two-year statute of limitations does, however, have several exceptions. For instance, if a child was hurt in a crane accident, the statute of limitations might be tolled, or put on hold, until the child is 18 years old. However, there can be shorter deadlines for submitting a claim if the crane accident was brought on by the negligence of a government entity or employee.
It is advisable to speak with a North Bergen, NJ, personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure that you comply with all the deadlines and procedures for submitting your crane injury claim in New Jersey.
Proven Benefits of Having a New Jersey Crane Injury Lawyer
With the legal aid of an experienced crane accident lawyer in North Bergen, NJ, your personal injury claim process will be simplified. Our attorneys will file your claim, conduct an investigation, negotiate with the parties responsible, and represent you in court if needed.
In addition to managing your claim, we can refer you to medical professionals who routinely work with our firm to provide quality care at fair prices. To ensure that no expense goes unreimbursed, our firm fronts the costs of hiring experts like accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and others whose testimony may maximize your settlement.
Improve Your Chances of Getting a Larger Settlement Offer
Our world-renowned trial lawyers aren’t afraid to go after multiple parties or their legal teams for what you deserve. The North Bergen crane accident attorneys of Morelli Law are trusted advocates of New Jersey accident victims that have suffered due to the negligence of others.
Contact a legal advisor today to get started with a free, no-obligation case review to learn about your legal alternatives and discover ways that our firm can help you get the crane injury settlement that you rightfully deserve.