Montana Crane Accident Attorney

Injured in a Crane Accident in MT?

Crane accidents on construction and industrial sites often cause some of the most serious injuries in our state. A single mechanical failure or lapse in planning can leave a worker or bystander facing surgeries, lost income, and a future that looks very different from what they expected. If this has happened to you or your family, you may be unsure where to turn.

At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, we represent people whose lives have been changed by preventable incidents with cranes and other heavy equipment. We understand that you may be dealing with medical decisions, pressure from an employer, and calls from insurance adjusters, all at the same time. Our goal is to take on the legal burden so you can focus on your health and your family.

We are a third-generation Montana trial firm that has obtained many of the top personal injury verdicts in the state, including the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in Montana history. When you talk with our team, you can expect a free, no-obligation consultation and no out-of-pocket fees to have your potential claim evaluated.

Call (406) 233-1302 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

What is a Crane?

A crane is a type of heavy machinery equipped with a hoist rope, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves. It is used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. These machines are essential for moving heavy loads that exceed the capacity of human labor or smaller equipment.

In Montana, operating a crane with a manufacturer's rating of more than 6 tons requires a specific license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Common types of cranes seen on Montana jobsites include:

• Mobile Cranes: Mounted on wheels or tracks for easy transport.
• Tower Cranes: Fixed to the ground or a structure, often used in high-rise construction.
• Gantry Cranes: Built atop a structure used to straddle an object or workspace.
• Crawler Cranes: Mounted on an undercarriage with a set of tracks (crawlers) that provide stability and mobility.

Common Types of Crane Accidents

Because of their height, weight, and the physics involved in lifting heavy loads, cranes present unique risks. The most frequent types of accidents we see in Montana include:

• Boom Collapse: If the crane's arm (the boom) is overextended or poorly maintained, it can buckle or collapse entirely.
• Contact with Power Lines: This is the leading cause of crane-related fatalities. If a boom or cable touches an energized line, the electricity can travel through the machine, electrocuting the operator or ground workers.
• Dropped Loads: If a load is improperly rigged or the crane exceeds its capacity, the cargo can fall, crushing anyone beneath it.
• Crane Overturns: Improper setup on unstable Montana soil or uneven terrain can cause a crane to tip over, especially during high-wind events.
• Mechanical Failures: Snapped cables, failed hydraulic systems, or malfunctioning brakes can lead to a total loss of control.

Common Causes of Crane Accidents

While some might call these "accidents," the reality is that most crane-related injuries are preventable and result from human error or corporate negligence. Common causes include:

• Improper Training: Using an operator who lacks the proper Montana hoisting license or NCCC certification.
• Inadequate Inspections: Skipping daily or monthly inspections required by OSHA (Subpart CC).
• Exceeding Load Capacity: Forcing a crane to lift more than its rated weight, often to speed up production.
• Poor Site Preparation: Failing to use outriggers properly or placing the crane on soft, uncompacted ground.
• Communication Failures: A lack of clear signals between the operator and the "signal person" or "spotter."

Liability for Crane Accidents

In Montana, if you are injured on the job, your first instinct may be to look toward workers' compensation. While workers' comp provides "no-fault" benefits for medical bills and a portion of lost wages, it often falls short of covering the true cost of a catastrophic injury.

Under Montana law, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim in addition to workers' comp if someone other than your direct employer was negligent. Potential liable parties include:

• General Contractors: For failing to maintain a safe jobsite or supervising operations poorly.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If a defect in the crane's design or a component (like a faulty cable) caused the failure.
• Maintenance Companies: If a third party was contracted to service the crane and failed to identify a critical flaw.
• Property Owners: If a hazardous site condition (like an unmarked underground void) caused the crane to tip.

A third-party claim allows you to seek damages not available through workers' comp, such as full lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Crane Accident Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim in Montana?

For workers' compensation, you must generally report your injury to your employer within 30 days. For a third-party personal injury lawsuit, the Montana statute of limitations is typically three years from the date of the accident.

What if I was partially at fault?

Montana follows a comparative negligence rule. As long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages, though your total award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

What kind of compensation can I recover?

Victims of crane accidents often face life-altering injuries such as TBIs, spinal damage, or amputations. We fight for compensation covering:

• Emergency and future medical expenses
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Full lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Mental anguish and PTSD

Why Injured Workers Turn To Our Firm

Crane accidents are rarely simple. They often involve multiple contractors, complex equipment, detailed safety rules, and investigations that begin as soon as the scene is cleared. In this environment, it is important to have trial lawyers who understand how serious construction and industrial cases work and who are prepared to see a case through.

Our firm has a Montana legal heritage that began in 1938 with Alex Blewett. Since then, three generations of Blewett attorneys have tried significant personal injury cases in courts across the state. Managing partner Zander Blewett is the only lawyer from Montana admitted to the Inner Circle of Advocates and to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame, and all four of our partners were named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America.

Those recognitions reflect decades of results. Our attorneys have secured a $27 million personal injury settlement, a $21.35 million malicious prosecution verdict, an $11 million construction accident settlement, a $9.79 million railroad crossing verdict, and other seven and eight-figure outcomes. These results are not just large numbers. They represent families who had the resources to pay for medical care, replace lifetime earnings, and move forward after life-changing injuries.

Because we have taken many serious cases to trial and obtained substantial verdicts, insurance companies know we are prepared to present evidence to a jury when needed. That reputation often affects how they evaluate claims from the first day we are involved. Many attorneys across Montana refer their most serious injury cases to us, and we screen each potential claim carefully so that when we accept a crane accident case, we can devote the time and resources it requires.

To discuss your situation with a crane accident attorney in Montana, call (406) 233-1302 today.