Every year, dozens of people are injured or killed in boom lift accidents. Many of these tragedies involve falls, machine tip-overs or collapses, electrocutions, and more.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting boom lift induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured in a boom lift accient, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Accident & Personal Injury Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is a Boom Lift?
A boom lift is a type of aerial work platform that is designed to help lift workers and materials to reach very high jobs. There are two main types of boom lifts: articulating boom lifts (also called “knuckle boom lifts”) and telescopic boom lifts.
Other Names For Boom Lifts
- Aerial lift
- Cherry picker
- Man lift
- Basket crane
- Bucket truck
- AWP
- And more
What is the Problem?
Boom lift accidents can be very severe. Construction workers and innocent bystanders can easily suffer a significant injury, permanent disability or death when a boom lift malfunctions.
Some boom lift accidents are caused by human error — such as a failure to train the lift operator, or a failure to provide fall protection, or a worker operating the boom lift in a dangerous way (such as failing to secure the brakes, or moving the lift when it is extended).
In other cases, boom lift accidents are caused by a defective boom lift. This can occur due to a manufacturing error or some other type of mechanical defect, such as the lift controls malfunctioning.
Types of Boom Lift Accidents
- Boom lift tip-overs
- Workers falling from height
- Electrocutions
- Workers on the ground hit by falling objects
- Collisions with vehicles or objects
- Collapses
- Contact with ceilings, power lines, and other objects
$3.3 Million Awarded in Boom Lift Accident Lawsuit
In May 2022, a jury in Oregon awarded $3.35 million to a man who was seriously injured in a boom lift accident involving a 2013 Genie S-45 self-propelled man lift boom, which he had rented to do ship repairs.
The lawsuit alleges that when he tried to move the lift, it moved suddenly in “fast mode,” causing him to be thrown back and forth inside the cage at the end of the boom. He alleges that he suffered serious spinal fractures, knee and shoulder injuries.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon — Bowden v. Genie Industries (A Terex Brand) Inc. — Case number 3:17-cv-01411.
Examples of Genie Boom Lift Recalls
In October 2020, Genie Industries Inc. recalled certain 2020 TZ-34 and TZ-50 trailer mounted boom lifts. The problem is that the “bolts that connect the slew turntable bearing to the chassis may have been under tightened,” according to the NHTSA.
In February 2020, Genie Industries Inc. recalled certain 2015 to 2020 model-year S-60, S-60 TRAX, S-65, S-65 TRAX, S-60XC, S-65XC, S-60X boom lifts due to a tip-over hazard. The recall was issued after 3 reports of the bottom turntable rotation bearing bolts coming loose, causing the separation of the turntable from the chassis. The problem could result in a machine tip-over or other structural failure.
In October 2017, Genie Industries Inc. recalled about 81 S-Boom and Z-Boom boom lifts because some mounting brackets on the Operator’s Protective Alarm may loosen and possibly fall from the machine, creating a collision hazard.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a lawsuit if you or a loved one was injured by a boom lift, so long as the injury was caused by a defective boom lift, or an accident that was not your fault.
If you decide to file a lawsuit, our lawyers may be able to help you seek justice and compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills and future care, lost income (and future earnings), permanent injuries or disabilities, or wrongful death of a loved one, and more.
Do I have a Boom Lift Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting boom lift induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured in a boom lift accient, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Accident & Personal Injury Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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