Albuquerque Crane Accident Lawyer
You Deserve Dedicated Advocacy After a Serious Crane Accident
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a crane accident in Albuquerque, you are facing a situation no one is truly prepared for. It is common to feel overwhelmed by medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about the future—all while dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event. Having an experienced crane accident attorney in Albuquerque on your side can make a real difference in how your claim proceeds and how your recovery moves forward.
At Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, we know that worksite accidents have far-reaching consequences. Our team is deeply committed to advocating for injured people and families throughout Albuquerque, standing up to construction companies, insurers, and any parties responsible for your losses. We bring over 30 years of local experience and a mission to fight for justice on your behalf, supporting you when it matters most.
Choosing us means working with attorneys who have deep Albuquerque roots, a wide range of successful outcomes, and a focus on making legal help accessible and personal—whether you prefer English or Spanish. We start every relationship with a free consultation and operate on a no-upfront-fee basis.
Call (505) 806-1780 to schedule your free consultation with a crane accident lawyer in Albuquerque today.
What is a Crane?
A crane is a type of heavy construction equipment used to lift, lower, and move materials horizontally. Cranes rely on cables, pulleys, booms, and hydraulics to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible due to weight or height. They are essential on many construction sites, including commercial developments, infrastructure projects, and large residential builds.
Common types of cranes used on construction sites include:
- Tower cranes
- Mobile cranes
- Crawler cranes
- Overhead cranes
- Rough terrain cranes
While cranes are indispensable, they are also inherently dangerous. Even a minor error in operation, setup, or maintenance can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Common Types of Crane Accidents
Crane accidents can occur in many ways, often resulting in severe or fatal injuries. Some of the most common types of crane accidents seen on construction sites include:
- Crane collapses: Structural failures or improper assembly can cause an entire crane to topple over.
- Falling loads: Materials may slip from rigging or hooks and strike workers below.
- Boom failures: The crane’s boom can snap or collapse due to overloading or mechanical defects.
- Electrocution accidents: Cranes that come into contact with overhead power lines can cause fatal electric shocks.
- Crane tip-overs: Unstable ground, improper setup, or excessive loads can cause a crane to overturn.
- Caught-in or crushed accidents: Workers may be pinned between crane components or other structures.
Each of these incidents can result in life-altering injuries, extensive medical bills, and long-term loss of income.
Common Causes of Crane Accidents
Crane accidents are rarely unavoidable. In most cases, they are caused by negligence, safety violations, or equipment failures. Common causes include:
- Operator error: Inadequate training, inattention, or poor judgment by crane operators
- Improper crane assembly or dismantling: Failure to follow manufacturer specifications
- Overloading the crane: Exceeding weight limits can cause structural failure
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment: Worn cables, faulty brakes, or mechanical defects
- Unsafe working conditions: Uneven ground, high winds, or lack of proper safety planning
- Inadequate supervision: Failure to enforce safety protocols on the job site
When safety rules are ignored, workers and even pedestrians near construction sites can pay the price.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Crane Accidents
Because cranes involve extreme heights and heavy materials, injuries are often severe. Victims of crane accidents may suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crushing injuries and amputations
- Broken bones and multiple fractures
- Severe burns or electrocution injuries
- Internal organ damage
These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and may prevent victims from returning to work.
Liability for Crane Accidents?
Determining liability in a crane accident can be complicated. Multiple parties may share responsibility depending on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include:
- Construction companies or contractors for failing to maintain a safe worksite
- Crane operators whose negligence caused the accident
- Equipment manufacturers if a defect contributed to the accident
- Maintenance companies responsible for inspecting and repairing the crane
- Property owners or developers who allowed unsafe conditions
Our Albuquerque crane accident laywer at Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and pursue claims against each one.
Crane Accidents and Workers’ Compensation in New Mexico
Many crane accident victims are construction workers covered by workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp can provide benefits such as:
- Medical treatment
- Partial wage replacement
- Disability benefits
However, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering, and benefits may be limited. In some cases, injured workers may be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against negligent contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other parties not protected by workers’ comp laws. Our firm can evaluate whether additional claims are available in your case.
Compensation Available to Crane Accident Victims
Crane accidents often result in significant financial and personal losses. Depending on the case, compensation may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
At Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, we fight to recover the full and fair compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.
Support for Crane Accident Victims in Albuquerque
A crane accident can turn your world upside down. The challenges go well beyond physical injuries. Many clients come to us feeling overwhelmed by hospital visits, medical bills, and anxiety about how to provide for themselves or their families after a sudden injury. For some, the impact includes long-term disability or loss of a loved one.
Our attorneys understand that you are not just dealing with a legal issue, but a personal battle for your health, safety, and future. With more than three decades of experience helping injured workers, community members, and grieving families across Albuquerque, we know how to guide you with compassion and clarity. We are not afraid to pursue fair accountability, even when it means taking on powerful construction companies and their insurers.
We welcome clients from all walks of life. Thanks to our bilingual team, everyone in Albuquerque can communicate in the language they are most comfortable with. Our commitment extends beyond legal cases—we strive to help make our neighborhoods safer and stronger for all.
Contact Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero now for a free consultation.
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"I can't seem to say enough about the people at this law firm. I was treated with the greatest experience ever. My case wasn't a very large case, but, non the less I was treated with the upmost respect and treatment of a huge case."Christopher C.
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"Not only are they highly competent, ethical, smart and efficient, they are very kind. They have provided the best representation and assistance imaginable and I would, without any reservation whatsoever, highly recommend this law firm."Dorian D.
"Not only are they highly competent, ethical, smart and efficient, they are very kind. They have provided the best representation and assistance imaginable and I would, without any reservation whatsoever, highly recommend this law firm."Dorian D.
Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C. is a local law firm with local and national recognition for having the expertise to handle the toughest cases. Over a century ago, David B. Martinez’s grandparents realized their dream of building a general store at the corner of Rio Grande and Indian School. “A century later, David B. Martinez and F. Michael Hart built this law firm on the same corner of Rio Grande and Indian School where David’s family had built their general store.” The corner of Rio Grande and Indian School is now home to Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C., which holds the same dedication to serving the needs of the surrounding community.