Florida Crane Accident Lawyer

Crane accidents are among the most catastrophic events on construction sites. Injuries are often quite severe when heavy equipment and heights are involved. Injured workers can face long recoveries, severe injuries and complicated claims for their workers’ compensation benefits.  

At Berlin Law Firm, we focus exclusively on Florida workers’ compensation. That focus, combined with decades of experience within the insurance industry, means we know exactly how to advocate for injured workers after serious crane accidents. 

Contact us for a free consultation to determine whether you have a valid claim for workers’ compensation. If so, our firm will get straight to work fighting for the compensation you deserve for your work injury.

Berlin Law Firm has over 30+ years of experience navigating the complex field of workman’s comp and is highly knowledgeable of insurance company tactics used to deny or minimize your claim.

Recover Benefits Regardless of Fault

Florida is a no-fault state. This means no matter who caused your crane accident, you are still eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits–as long as you were injured while on the job. However, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or deliberately got hurt, you would not be entitled to benefits.

Why Injured Workers Choose Berlin Law Firm for Crane Accidents 

When you’ve been hurt in a crane accident, choosing the right lawyer matters. Here’s why Florida workers turn to us: 

• Workers’ Comp Focus – Our firm concentrates solely on Florida workers’ compensation cases. We know how insurers evaluate, delay and deny claims. 

• Decades of Dual Experience – Founding partner Stephen Berlin brings over 30 years of workers’ compensation experience to the table. For 17 of those years, he managed the legal department of one of Florida’s largest workers’ compensation insurance carriers—insight he now uses to fight for injured workers in court. 

• Protecting Your No-Fault Rights – Florida’s workers’ comp system provides benefits regardless of fault, but insurers often try to shift blame or cite pre-existing conditions. We hold insurance companies responsible for all the benefits you are entitled to. 

• Coverage Nuances – Even if your direct employer (such as a subcontractor) failed to carry coverage, you may still be covered under the general contractor’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. 

Meet Our Full Team of Attorneys

Understanding Your Florida Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Crane Injury 

Workers’ compensation benefits can help you and your family stay afloat financially amidst medical bills and missed time from work.

Lost Wages (Florida Statutes § 440.15) 

If your crane accident keeps you from working, you may qualify for one of several types of disability benefits under Florida Statutes § 440.15: 

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – Paid when you cannot work at all during recovery. Provides approximately 66.67% of your average weekly wage until you can return to some form of work or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). 

• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) – For workers who can return to work with restrictions but earn less than 80% of their pre-injury wages. TPD makes up part of the difference. 

• Permanent Impairment / Partial Disability (PPD) – If your doctor assigns a permanent impairment rating once you reach MMI, you may be entitled to impairment income benefits, even if you can still work. 

• Permanent Total Disability (PTD) – Reserved for the most severe injuries where you can no longer perform gainful employment. PTD provides ongoing wage-loss benefits, often until retirement age. 

Medical Benefits (Florida Statutes § 440.13) 

Under Florida Statutes § 440.13, your employer’s insurance must cover treatment by authorized providers, including doctor visits, hospital care, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and medical devices. Mileage to and from medical appointments is also reimbursable, though treatment outside the authorized network may not be covered.

Additional Support 

• Death Benefits – Families of workers who die in a crane accident may be entitled to funeral expenses, weekly compensation to dependents, and educational benefits for surviving spouses (§ 440.16). 

• Vocational Rehabilitation – Injured workers who cannot return to their prior jobs may qualify for retraining and reemployment services through the Florida Department of Financial Services (§ 440.491). 

How Berlin Law Firm Maximizes Workers’ Comp Claims 

At Berlin Law Firm, we take a proactive, detail-driven approach: 

• Free consultation and case evaluation 

• Immediate coordination with authorized medical providers 

• Thorough evidence collection and timely claim filing 

• Careful calculation of your average weekly wage and benefits owed 

• Strategic negotiation with insurers, with litigation if necessary 

• Ongoing updates and full claim management from start to finish 

We know the tactics insurers use because we used to be on their side. Now, we use that knowledge to protect you. 

Contact Us at Berlin Law Firm for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one have been injured in a crane accident, our team of workers comp attorneys will fight for your rights. We know every case is different. We treat each client with the utmost compassion, respect, and dedication. We have locations in both Tampa and Sarasota ready to help.

We are here to provide legal protection, ensure our clients’ full recovery, and support every worker through the entirety of their case. If you have been injured in a crane accident here in Florida, call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Crane Accident Risk: The Facts 

Crane work continues to carry extreme risk. Here’s what current data and authoritative sources show: 

• Over the period 2011 to 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) documented 297 crane-related fatalities, or an average of about 42 per year.  

• In those fatal crane incidents from 2011–17, just over 50% involved workers struck by equipment or objects; falls accounted for roughly 14%. 

• According to an NCCCO Foundation hazard report, many of these risks point back to preventable factors—poor training, maintenance, or oversight.  

• Many workplace safety studies broadly estimate that human error contributes to 80-90% of all industrial accidents. 

• Crane accidents and fatality investigations remain a focus of OSHA’s “Fatalities / Catastrophes” database, underlining that such incidents remain ongoing risks. 

These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent preventable tragedies. They also show why injured workers need strong advocacy when facing insurers. 

What To Do Immediately After a Crane Accident in Florida 

The steps you take right after a crane accident are critical to protecting your rights: 

1. Report the Injury Immediately – Florida law requires prompt notice of a workplace injury. See Florida Statutes, Chapter 440. 

2. Seek Care from an Authorized Provider – Workers’ compensation typically only covers treatment from doctors authorized by your employer’s insurer. 

3. Document Everything – Collect names of witnesses, take photos of the equipment, crane setup, or job site conditions, and keep all medical records. 

4. Follow Safety Protocols – Employers are required to comply with OSHA’s crane safety standards. Your timely report supports both your claim and future site safety. 

5. Get Legal Guidance Early – An experienced workers’ compensation attorney ensures deadlines are met, benefits are maximized, and insurers are held accountable. 

Common Crane Accident Scenarios We Handle 

The crane collapse or tip-over is the typical reference point most of us have, thanks to the unsettling images we see that make national headlines. But workers face many risks when working with cranes and may be injured by: 

• Being struck by a swinging load or counterweight 

• Making contact with power lines and electrocution 

• Rigging or hoist failures 

• Mechanical defects or poor maintenance 

• Operator error or inadequate crew training 

• Falls from height or within a crane’s swing radius 

FAQs: Florida Crane Accident Workers’ Comp 

Can I get benefits if I was partly at fault? 

Yes. Florida’s no-fault system means you can receive benefits regardless of fault, except in cases involving intoxication or deliberate self-harm. 

Do I choose my doctor? 

Generally, no. You must see a doctor authorized by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance for your treatment to be covered. 

Where can I learn more about Florida workers’ comp rules? 

The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation provides official guidance and resources.