Crane accidents are one of the most common causes of death and injury in the construction industry. There are about 125,000 cranes operating in the United States construction industry today, and another 80,000 to 100,000 cranes operating in other industries. As many as 250,000 crane operators, industry workers, and non-construction employed individuals are in danger of suffering severe injury or death in crane accidents annually.

Annually, hundreds of victims are injured or killed due to crane accidents in the United States. In the ten years between 1984 and 1994 as many as 500 American workers were killed in crane accidents while hundreds more were moderately to severely injured. Seventy-nine deaths were ascribed to human and mechanical errors involving cranes, derricks, hoists and hoist accessories in 1993 alone.

It is estimated that mechanical failure accounts for at least 11% of crane accidents. Most often crane accidents are due to the lack of preventative maintenance, inadequate training, inexperience and lack of supervision, as well as required inspections, among other acts of negligence.

Crane workers, employers, safety professionals and OSHA inspectors must work together to prevent the causes of crane accidents. Should you or a family member become injured in a crane accident, you should contact a qualified and experienced attorney who can advise you of your rights and options in a crane accident lawsuit.

The most common type of construction site crane accident occurs when the crane contacts a power line. Due to the power line's forceful current this type of accident results in electrocution and causes most of the deaths due to crane accidents.

Because of this OSHA has established requirements and guidelines for the use of attachments on overhead cranes which are not to exceed the rating, capacity, scope or recommendation of the manufacturer of the crane equipment.