Without warning, the hydraulic boom of a truck mounted crane manufactured by of one of the industry’s best known crane manufacturers collapsed, resulting in critical injuries to two occupants working within a basket suspended 70 feet above the ground. The workers had been in the process of welding sheet metal to a grain silo when the boom lost hydraulic pressure and telescoped approximately 40 feet down. The boom struck a roof structure, which upended the basket and ejected the workers. The workers then plummeted another 30 feet to the ground. The post-accident investigation revealed that the crane collapse was caused by a combination of design defects, improper equipment maintenance and the absence of regular equipment inspections.
Stutman Law obtained $1 million from the crane owner, rental company and equipment lessor. The machine’s manufacturer also contributed to the settlement for the improper equipment design.