New Jersey Crane Operator Killed in Construction Accident

A 50-year-old New Jersey construction worker was killed in an accident involving an excavating crane on June 5. The man was working on a bird sanctuary project in Newark Bay. A coworker who witnessed the accident said that the crane began to lean forward before it fell top-first into the water. The coworker ran to help the man get out of the crane, but the vehicle sank in seconds. The man operating the crane at the time was, according to his coworker, possibly the best crane operator on the job.

The project was taking place north of the New Jersey Turnpike Extension Bridge along the water. It was in a relatively remote area south of the Passaic Valley Sewage Authority.

It is unclear who is in charge of the project. The EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have said that they are not. The construction company for which the man worked has not yet responded to phone calls from the press. According to a person who answered the phone at the residence of the man’s family, the family members were too bereaved to discuss the loss.

For families who have lost a loved one due to negligence or poor working conditions, the consequences may be devastating. Extreme emotional distress may be present, and the ramifications of it can extend to financial well-being as well. The death may cause family members to lose income, and their health may suffer substantially. In some cases, it may be helpful for family members to discuss the death with a workers’ compensation attorney. He or she can examine the case and determine if it’s feasible to pursue a settlement. If awarded, a settlement provides some money to the family. This can cover funeral expenses, medical bills accrued before death and other expenses.

Source: NJ.com, “Authorities identify crane worker killed in Port Newark accident“, Sth Augenstein, June 06, 2014