The New York skyline is constantly changing. In every borough of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, a boom lift works on a building’s facade or roofline, performing work that simply can’t be done from the ground. But these machines are as essential as they are ruthless.
Aerial work platforms, also known as boom lifts, are large pieces of equipment that lift workers dozens of feet in the air using a hydraulic arm. They can be found on construction sites or parked next to buildings during renovations. In a city like New York, they operate in conditions that test their abilities. These include narrow streets, crumbling sidewalks, pedestrian traffic passing underneath, squeezing trucks, and wind tunnels. These are incredibly efficient machines, but New York City certainly has the potential to push them to their limits.
How Boom Lift Accidents Occur
Most boom lift accidents in New York City occur for several reasons, including:
- Tip-overs are the most dangerous. They happen when the lift is placed on soft or unstable ground, which is common around construction sites. If the legs are not properly extended before the boom is raised, the entire machine can collapse. New York City streets are littered with old patches and hidden weak points that appear solid until they aren’t.
- Falls are more common than you might think. Sometimes guardrails are removed because they get in the way. Sometimes a worker fails to fasten their harness. A sudden jerk from a passing vehicle or a broken cable can instantly throw someone over the edge.
- Electrocution is a serious hazard in a city with as many overhead power lines as New York. A boom reaching toward a building can cut into a live line that’s not marked on any plans.
- Equipment failure is another factor. Hydraulic lines can break. Controls can fail. A boom lift that’s moved from one location to another without proper inspections is an accident waiting to happen.
How The Platta Law Firm Can Help
After a boom lift accident, most injured workers assume their only option is a workers’ compensation claim. This is usually just the starting point. New York has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country. Under NY State labor law, property owners and general contractors can be held liable for injuries that occur on their construction sites, even if they weren’t directly involved.
These laws were created specifically to protect construction workers and carry real weight in court. A good personal injury lawyer won’t stop at the obvious. They’ll verify whether the boom lift had a mechanical defect. They’ll verify who was responsible for inspecting and maintaining the machine. They’ll review maintenance records and safety logs, which companies often neglect to prioritize. They’ll speak with coworkers who may have witnessed unsafe practices over a period of time.
Why Insurance Companies Act Quickly After a Boom Lift Accident
Accidents involving aerial work platforms often result in serious injuries. Broken bones and spinal cord injuries are common, as are brain injuries caused by falls from great heights. These are injuries that can permanently alter someone’s life, and medical bills and lost wages can mount quickly.
Insurance companies know this. They often try to pressure injured workers into quick settlements before the full extent of their injuries becomes clear. A lawyer familiar with New York State construction law knows how to resist this pressure and ensure that a settlement actually reflects future costs. New York State laws were created to protect workers in these situations. Knowing how to use them is crucial.