Newport News Crane Accident Attorney

Common Types of Crane Accidents

Crane accidents can occur in many ways, including:

• Crane collapses due to structural failure or improper assembly
• Dropped loads when materials fall from a crane
• Tip-overs caused by unstable ground or improper setup
• Electrocution accidents when cranes contact overhead power lines
• Boom or jib failures from mechanical defects or overloading
• Crane collisions with buildings, vehicles, or workers
• Rigging failures involving slings, hooks, or chains

Each of these accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, crushed limbs, severe burns, and wrongful death.

Common Causes of Crane Accidents

Most crane accidents are preventable and occur because of negligence or safety violations. Common causes include:

• Improper crane operation by untrained or inexperienced operators
• Failure to follow OSHA safety regulations
• Overloading the crane beyond weight limits
• Poor communication between crane operators and ground crews
• Defective crane parts or faulty equipment
• Inadequate inspection, maintenance, or repair
• Unsafe weather conditions, such as high winds
• Improper assembly or disassembly of the crane

Our Newport News crane accident attorney will investigate the accident thoroughly, review safety records, and identify all responsible parties.

Recovering Compensation After a Crane Accident

If you were injured in a crane accident in Newport News, you may be entitled to compensation through one or more legal avenues.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Most construction workers are covered by Virginia workers’ compensation. These benefits may cover:

• Medical treatment related to the injury
• Partial wage replacement
• Temporary or permanent disability benefits

However, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering, and benefits are often limited.

Third-Party Liability Claims

In many crane accident cases, a third party may be responsible, such as:

• A negligent subcontractor
• A crane rental or leasing company
• A crane manufacturer or parts supplier
• A property owner or general contractor

A third-party personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for:

• Full lost wages and future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Our Newport News crane accident lawyer can determine whether you have grounds for a third-party claim and pursue maximum compensation.

Why Injured Workers Turn To Us

After a crane collapse, dropped load, or other serious incident, you need a legal team that understands both the job site and the courtroom. At Kalfus & Nachman PC, we have been helping injured workers and families throughout Virginia since 1979. That long history means we are familiar with how crane and construction-related cases tend to unfold, how insurers respond, and how judges and juries in this state view serious industrial injuries.

Over the decades, we have successfully handled thousands of injury and disability cases and obtained millions and millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Our attorneys have been recognized by organizations such as The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers. Our firm has also received honors like the Best of Coastal Virginia Reader's Choice Award and 2025 Best Of Norfolk – Virginia Media, which reflects the trust that clients and our community place in our work.

Crane accidents often create overlapping legal issues. You may have a workers' compensation claim with your employer, a personal injury claim against a contractor or equipment company, and a potential Social Security Disability claim if you cannot return to work. Our firm handles all of these types of cases, so we can coordinate strategies instead of sending you to multiple offices. We work with outside professionals, including doctors and accident reconstruction professionals, to understand what happened and how your injuries will affect your life.

We also know that every crane accident is different. We take time to learn how your injury occurred, what work you were doing, and who was present on the site. Then we craft a personalized strategy that fits your situation. Our financial resources allow us to litigate when needed, and we prepare serious cases as if they may go to trial so that we are ready to present a strong case if negotiations do not lead to an acceptable resolution.