Shreveport Crane Accident Attorney

Injured in a Crane Accident on a Construction Site in Shreveport, LA?

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces in America, and among the heaviest and most dangerous pieces of equipment on any site are cranes. These towering machines are essential for lifting and moving heavy materials, but when something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane-related incident, a qualified Shreveport crane accident lawyer at Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law is ready to help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation for your losses.

Call (318) 633-0186 or fill out our online contact form today to request a free consultation.

What is a Crane Accident?

A crane accident refers to any incident involving a crane that results in injury, death, or significant property damage. These accidents can happen on construction sites, industrial sites, and even on public roads when cranes are being transported. Because cranes are complex machines that require skilled operation, even a small mistake or oversight can lead to devastating outcomes.

Crane accidents can affect crane operators, nearby construction workers, and even bystanders. The physical injuries are often severe due to the size and weight of the equipment involved, and the emotional and financial toll can be equally overwhelming.

Common Types of Crane Accidents

Crane accidents come in many forms. Some of the most frequent types of crane-related incidents we see at Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law include:

• Crane Collapse: This occurs when the crane structure fails due to overloading, mechanical failure, or improper assembly.
• Falling Loads: Loads may become unbalanced or unsecured, falling from great heights and causing serious injuries or fatalities.
• Electrocution: Cranes operating near power lines pose a major risk if the boom or load comes into contact with live electrical wires.
• Mechanical Failures: Defective components such as brakes, hoists, or gears can lead to loss of control.
• Boom or Jib Failures: Structural parts of the crane can break or bend, causing unintended movement or collapse.
• Operator Error: Mistakes made by untrained or distracted crane operators can lead to serious accidents.

Common Causes of Crane Accidents

Some of the most common causes of crane accidents include:

• Inadequate Training: Operating a crane requires proper certification and experience. Inexperienced operators are more likely to make dangerous errors.
• Improper Assembly or Maintenance: A poorly assembled or maintained crane is a ticking time bomb. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial.
• Negligent Supervision: Lack of oversight can lead to unsafe practices and ignored safety protocols.
• Overloading the Crane: Every crane has a maximum load capacity. Exceeding that limit can lead to structural failure or tipping.
• Ignoring Weather Conditions: High winds or storms can cause cranes to sway or collapse if not properly secured.
• Defective Equipment: Sometimes the accident is caused by a manufacturer’s defect in the crane or its components.

Identifying the specific cause is essential for building a strong legal case. Our team conducts thorough investigations to determine what went wrong—and who should be held accountable.

Crane Safety Regulations Every Case Should Be Measured Against

Crane operation on construction sites is governed by detailed federal safety standards, and a violation of these standards is often central to proving liability. Key regulations our firm evaluates in crane accident cases include:

• OSHA's Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC), which sets requirements for assembly/disassembly, operator qualification, ground conditions, power line clearance, and inspection procedures.
• Operator certification requirements, which generally require crane operators to be certified through an accredited testing organization before operating certain equipment on a job site.
• Manufacturer load charts and specifications, which every crane operation is required to follow to avoid exceeding rated capacity.
• Site-specific safety and lift plans, which OSHA requires for many crane operations, particularly those involving critical or complex lifts.

When a crane accident occurs, one of the first things our firm does is determine whether these standards were followed. A documented violation — whether it's an uncertified operator, a missing lift plan, or ignored load chart limits — can substantially strengthen a negligence claim.

Tower Cranes vs. Mobile Cranes: Why the Distinction Matters

Not all crane accidents involve the same type of equipment, and the type of crane involved can significantly affect how a case is investigated:

• Tower cranes, used on large commercial and high-rise projects, are assembled on-site and pose unique risks during erection, climbing, and dismantling — stages where a large share of tower crane accidents occur.
• Mobile cranes (including crawler and truck-mounted cranes) are more common on mid-size projects and present distinct risks related to ground stability, outrigger setup, and travel on uneven terrain.
• Tower crane accidents often implicate the crane rental or erection company in addition to the general contractor, since a separate specialized crew frequently handles assembly.

Understanding which type of crane was involved — and who was responsible for its assembly, inspection, and operation — is a critical early step in identifying every party who may share liability.

Who is Liable for Crane Accidents?

Liability for crane accidents can fall on several different parties depending on the circumstances. Determining liability is often complex and requires deep legal knowledge and investigative resources. Possible liable parties include:

• Construction Companies: Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment and ensuring that machinery is operated by qualified individuals.
• Crane Operators: If the operator acted negligently or violated safety protocols, they may be held partially or fully liable.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If a crane part was defective due to a design or manufacturing flaw, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws.
• Maintenance Providers: Companies or contractors responsible for maintaining the crane can be held liable if improper maintenance contributed to the accident.
• Property Owners: In some cases, the owner of the site where the crane was operating may also bear some responsibility.

As your trusted Shreveport crane accident attorney, Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law will leave no stone unturned in identifying every liable party to ensure you receive the full compensation you are owed.

What Compensation is Available?

Victims of crane accidents may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Rehabilitation costs
• Wrongful death (in fatal crane accidents)

Whether through a personal injury lawsuit, workers' compensation claim, or third-party liability claim, our team at Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney At Law will aggressively pursue every legal avenue available.

Workers' Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims in Crane Accidents

If you were injured in a crane accident while working on a construction site, your first source of recovery is typically workers' compensation, regardless of fault. However, crane accidents frequently open the door to an additional third-party claim, which can provide significantly more compensation than workers' comp alone — including damages for pain and suffering, which workers' comp does not cover.

A third-party claim may be available when the at-fault party is someone other than your direct employer, such as:

• A crane rental or leasing company
• A separate subcontractor responsible for crane operation or maintenance
• The crane manufacturer, in cases involving a defective part or design flaw
• A general contractor who failed to coordinate site safety, if that contractor is legally distinct from your employer

Because pursuing both workers' comp and a third-party claim requires careful coordination to protect your full recovery, it's important to have an attorney review your case even if you've already filed a workers' comp claim.

Crane Accidents on Public Roadways

Not every crane accident happens on a construction site. Cranes being transported to or from a job site, or operating near public roads, can also cause serious harm to drivers, pedestrians, and bystanders — for example, if a boom extends into a traffic lane or a load shifts during transport. These cases often involve additional parties, including the trucking or transport company responsible for moving the crane, and may be governed by both construction safety standards and commercial vehicle regulations.

What Evidence Matters Most in a Crane Accident Case

Crane accident cases tend to be document- and evidence-intensive. Evidence that can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim includes:

• Crane inspection and maintenance logs, which can reveal whether known issues were ignored
• Operator certification records, confirming whether the person operating the crane was properly qualified
• The site's lift plan and safety documentation
• OSHA investigation findings, if an investigation was opened following the accident
• Witness statements from other workers on site
• Black box or telematics data, which many modern cranes record and which can show load weight, boom angle, and operational history at the time of the accident

Because much of this evidence is controlled by the crane owner, contractor, or rental company — not the injured worker — it's important to act quickly to preserve it before records are lost, overwritten, or difficult to obtain through informal requests.

When a Crane Accident Results in a Fatality

Crane accidents are among the most likely construction incidents to result in a fatality, given the size, weight, and height involved. If you've lost a loved one in a crane accident, Louisiana law may allow surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim in addition to, or instead of, a workers' compensation death benefit claim, depending on the circumstances. Our firm handles these cases with the sensitivity they deserve while working to hold every responsible party accountable.

Deep Personal Empathy and Proven Local Leadership

A catastrophic construction accident does not just halt a project—it upends a worker's entire life and leaves their family facing sudden, overwhelming financial stress. At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney at Law, we understand that you are navigating one of the most difficult chapters of your life, and we treat your recovery as our personal priority.

Our firm's approach to personal injury is built on real, firsthand empathy. As the father of a child who survived a severe, life-altering brain injury, managing partner Ryan E. Gatti knows the exhausting reality of managing extensive medical treatments, fighting corporate insurance adjusters, and worrying about a loved one's future. We do not look at you as a case number; we protect you like family.

We combine this authentic compassion with powerful local authority. As a lifelong resident of Northwest Louisiana and a former Louisiana State Senator, Ryan Gatti possesses a comprehensive understanding of the state safety statutes and legal frameworks that govern industrial operations. With 25 years of local legal experience, our firm stands ready to confront major insurance corporations and negligent contractors to secure the full justice and financial peace of mind your family deserves.

Contact our Shreveport crane accident attorneys today at (318) 633-0186 to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards securing the support you deserve.