Crane accidents can put victims out of work for months or even permanently. We rely on these machines to carry extremely heavy loads and trust the operators and riggers to do their jobs right. What do you do when they don’t and you get hurt?
The St. Charles crane accident lawyers at Morelli Law have been helping accident victims get compensation for decades. Through our legal experiences, we’ve helped victims receive over $1 billion in compensation. If we believe you have a case, there’s a good chance we can help you win it.
Won’t Workers’ Compensation Cover Everything?
Workers’ compensation is an incredibly important benefit for workers, but it has limitations. The program will not cover all your damages, especially non-economic ones like pain and suffering or disfigurement. You often need a construction accident lawyer in St. Charles to help you get the most from your claim.
The major benefits of workers’ compensation are:
- Medical expenses
- A portion of lost wages
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits
Workers’ compensation lets you receive these without needing to prove fault, but your claim has to provide adequate evidence to make the insurers pay what you may truly receive. Our lawyers can help you get it and see if you’re entitled to further compensation.
When Can I Sue in a Crane Accident?
The key question is whether whoever injured you works for the same employer as you do. Workers’ compensation may be your only option if that is the case. However, construction sites that use cranes are often full of workers from different companies working together in their specialties.
Cranes require special training and are expensive for companies to own and operate. Most general contractors turn to specialist companies to run them. Therefore, if a crane operator’s negligence causes your accident, there’s a good chance you can sue.
Find out if your case qualifies for a crane accident lawsuit by contacting Morelli Law. We’ve helped our victims get over $1 billion in compensation during our decades of service. Put us to work after your crane accident so you can get the most from your case.
St. Charles Crane Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
What Compensation Can I Receive From a Crane Accident?
The source of the damage matters less than how you’ve been injured, physically or financially. All personal injury victims harmed by a negligent actor can claim compensation after an accident. You can get money for three types of damages, two of which are most common.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses you’ve experienced because of your accident. Workers’ compensation may cover some of these, but you may be able to claim more through a lawsuit. Common economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Damaged personal property
- Costs of rehabilitation
- Costs of vocational change, if you cannot work in your old position
Non-Economic Damages
Workers’ compensation does not cover non-economic damages, but these can be quite a large part of a crane accident lawsuit. Since these do not have a concrete figure, our crane accident attorneys in St. Charles must negotiate with the insurers to arrive at a fair amount.
Non-economic damages you could receive include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rare but possible in crane accidents. When a crane fails, it often causes a lot of damage to people and property. If the cause was because of gross negligence or an intentional act, a court may award punitive damages to victims.
These damages are a punishment given to defendants for their actions. Not all cases qualify for punitive damage, and it’s up to a judge and jury to decide if you should receive them and how much they should be.
How Is a Lawsuit Different from Workers’ Compensation in a Crane Accident?
A lawsuit could get you more money because you can claim damages you can’t receive through workers’ compensation. Yet there are more legal barriers to winning, which often require the help of a St. Charles crane accident attorney.
One of the biggest is that you must prove negligence to win a crane accident lawsuit. Your lawyer has to prove that your accident was caused by someone else’s unreasonable actions through evidence and sound reasoning.
Lawsuits are a fight between plaintiffs and defendants, but we’re no strangers to the ring. Morelli Law has helped thousands of accident victims get compensation from insurance companies, including major accidents. Our results page highlights some of the victories we’ve achieved.
When Should I Talk to a Lawyer About My Crane Accident?
After any workplace accident, the first thing is to get medical attention. The second is to notify your employer of your injury to start the workers’ compensation process if you decide to go this route. Then, contact an attorney experienced in crane accidents for further legal advice.
Calling a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident gives you several advantages:
- The sooner you start, the sooner you can get paid for your injury.
- Your lawyer has enough time to investigate your claim before they must start a lawsuit.
- You don’t have to be forced into a position where you talk to an insurer without legal support.
- You can get legal advice on what to do during the first few crucial days after an accident.
If you are in the hospital and cannot come to us, we can come to you or set up a video conference for your initial consultation. You may face a long recovery period, but don’t let that stop you from getting legal representation.
Call a St. Charles Crane Accident Attorney Today
If you live in St. Charles and you’ve been involved in a crane accident, get help with your claim by calling Morelli Law. Our aggressive attorneys are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve after these devastating accidents, whether through workers’ compensation or an injury lawsuit.
To get started with a free case evaluation, just click the button above to send us an email or call our offices directly. Our lawyers work on contingency, so you will owe us nothing unless you win your case. Learn your legal options risk-free by calling us today.