Cranes are among the most powerful—and dangerous—pieces of equipment on construction sites. When workers enter a crane’s swing radius (the circular area the boom or counterweight moves through), the consequences can be devastating. Crush injuries, amputations, and fatalities occur far too often when safety protocols are ignored.
For injured construction laborers, understanding how to pursue workers’ compensation after such accidents is essential to recovery and financial security. At PLBH, our attorneys represent workers across California who have suffered life-altering injuries in crane swing radius incidents.
How Crane Swing Radius Accidents Happen
A crane’s swing radius must be carefully marked and barricaded to prevent workers from entering the danger zone. Unfortunately, these safety measures are sometimes skipped or poorly enforced. Common causes of swing radius accidents include:
- Lack of physical barriers around the crane’s rotating superstructure.
- Poor communication between crane operators and ground crews.
- Improper signaling or spotter absence.
- Crowded job sites with overlapping work zones.
- Inadequate training for workers unfamiliar with crane operations.
When an operator swings the boom or counterweight without realizing a worker is in the path, the impact can crush, pin, or severely injure anyone nearby.
Common Injuries from Swing Radius Accidents
The force of a moving crane component can cause catastrophic harm. Workers often sustain:
- Broken or crushed bones
- Spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations or degloving injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Fatal injuries from blunt-force trauma
Even survivors often face long-term disabilities and may be unable to return to construction work. These severe injuries make workers’ compensation claims both medically and legally complex.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Crane Injuries
Under California law, almost every construction worker is covered by workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of who caused the accident. This means you are entitled to benefits if you were injured within the scope of your employment, including:
- Medical care: All necessary treatment, rehabilitation, and surgery costs.
- Temporary disability payments: Partial wage replacement while you recover.
- Permanent disability benefits: Compensation if you’re unable to regain full function or return to your previous job.
- Job retraining or vocational rehabilitation: For workers who must transition to a new trade due to injury limitations.
At PLBH, we help ensure injured workers receive every available benefit while protecting them from employer retaliation or claim delays.
Proving Liability and Maximizing Recovery
While workers’ compensation does not require proving fault, certain cases may involve third-party liability claims against crane manufacturers, subcontractors, or site supervisors. For example, if your injury was caused by:
- A defective crane component,
- Negligent site management, or
- A contractor violating OSHA regulations,
you may be entitled to pursue additional compensation beyond standard workers’ comp benefits. Our attorneys investigate each case thoroughly, gathering evidence such as maintenance logs, operator training records, and witness statements to build a complete picture of what went wrong.
Steps to Take After a Crane Swing Radius Accident
If you’ve been injured in a crane swing radius accident, take these immediate steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t feel severely hurt, internal injuries may not be obvious.
- Report the incident to your employer as soon as possible. Failing to report promptly could delay or jeopardize your claim.
- Document everything. Take photos of the site, your injuries, and any missing safety barriers if you’re able.
- Contact a workers’ compensation attorney. Legal representation ensures your claim is filed correctly and that insurers don’t undervalue your case.
Get Experienced Legal Help After a Crane Injury
Construction workers injured by crane swing radius accidents face steep medical bills, lost income, and uncertain futures. You don’t have to face this process alone. At PLBH, we fight for the rights of injured workers and their families to recover full and fair compensation.
Call (800) 435-7542 today for a free consultation. We’ll help you navigate your workers’ compensation claim, explore potential third-party liability, and secure the financial support you need to move forward after a serious construction site injury.