Crane Accidents on Texas Construction Sites: Causes, Liability, and Your Legal Rights
When a Crane Fails, the Consequences Are Catastrophic
Cranes are among the most powerful and most dangerous pieces of equipment on any construction site. A crane collapse, a dropped load, or a boom strike can kill workers instantly and injure everyone in the surrounding area. The San Antonio construction accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw have handled crane accident cases across Texas, and the injuries in these cases are among the most severe they see.
Texas construction is defined by growth. Cranes are visible on job sites across San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Austin, lifting structural steel, concrete panels, and heavy materials to heights that would otherwise be impossible. The more cranes in operation, the more opportunities for the failures that cause catastrophic accidents — and the more critical it becomes to hold every responsible party accountable when those failures occur.
Video Transcript
I’m Jamie Shaw with Carabin Shaw. Hurt at work in Texas? Your path depends on one thing — does your employer carry workers’ comp? Texas is unusual. Employers aren’t required to. If they have it, you file a comp claim. If they don’t — what’s called a non-subscriber — you may be able to sue them directly, sometimes for more. And if someone other than your employer caused your injury, a defective machine or a contractor, you may have a separate third-party claim. Most injured workers never learn they had options. Find out yours. Call Carabin Shaw in San Antonio. 210-222-2288.
What Causes Crane Accidents on Texas Job Sites
Equipment Failure and Inadequate Maintenance
Cranes are complex machines with hundreds of components that must function correctly for safe operation. Wire ropes, hooks, outriggers, and load indicators all require regular inspection and maintenance. When maintenance is deferred to save money or time, components fail under load — and when a crane component fails under load, the consequences are immediate and severe.
Operator Error and Inadequate Training
Crane operators must be certified under OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks standard, which requires written and practical examinations. When employers allow uncertified or inadequately trained operators to run cranes, they create a risk that is entirely foreseeable. Operator errors — exceeding the crane’s rated capacity, operating in wind conditions that exceed safe limits, or misjudging swing radius — are among the leading causes of crane accidents.
Improper Rigging
The rigger who attaches loads to the crane hook is responsible for ensuring that the load is properly secured and that the rigging equipment is rated for the weight being lifted. Improperly rigged loads can shift, fall, or swing unpredictably. When riggers are not trained or when rigging equipment is defective, the load becomes a hazard to everyone on the job site.
Ground Conditions and Setup Failures
Cranes must be set up on stable, level ground with outriggers fully extended and properly supported. When cranes are set up on soft soil, near excavations, or without proper outrigger pads, the crane can tip over under load. Ground condition failures are a leading cause of crane collapses on Texas construction sites.
Who Is Liable After a Crane Accident
Crane accident cases typically involve multiple responsible parties. The crane operator and the crane company that owns and operates the equipment bear direct liability for operator error and maintenance failures. The general contractor is responsible for ensuring that crane operations on the job site comply with OSHA standards. The rigging subcontractor is liable for improper rigging. The crane manufacturer can be held liable under product liability law when a design or manufacturing defect caused the failure.
In Texas, when multiple parties contributed to a crane accident, an injured worker can pursue claims against all of them simultaneously. This is critical in crane cases, where the damages — catastrophic injuries, long-term disability, wrongful death — are often substantial.
Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims in Crane Cases
Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but it does not compensate for pain and suffering, full lost earning capacity, or the full scope of economic damages a catastrophic crane injury causes. When parties other than the direct employer contributed to the accident — the crane company, the rigging subcontractor, the manufacturer — a third-party personal injury claim can recover the full measure of damages.
Carabin Shaw investigates crane accidents immediately, retaining crane safety experts and mechanical engineers who can examine the equipment and document exactly what failed and why. The firm issues legal hold notices to prevent the crane from being repaired or moved before it can be inspected.
Call Carabin Shaw After a Crane Accident
If you were injured in a crane accident on a Texas construction site, or if a family member was killed, Carabin Shaw is ready to fight for you. Call (800) 862-1260 for a free consultation, available 24 hours a day. No fees unless we recover for you.