Iowa Accidents - Cranes, bulldozers, cars, motorcycles, teens and tots.

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Posted by Steve LombardiNovember 11, 2009 10:48 AM

Linn County, Iowa - A crane collapsed at the construction site of the new federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids. There were 50 to 60 workers on the site. The crane was reported to be operated by workers from Dawes Rigging and Crane Rental from Wisconsin. The news report last night on Channel 5 indicated it fell because it was on uneven ground. That can’t be true nor should it matter. There are legs that if set properly allow a crane to be set up most any grade. Fact of the matter is it probably wasn’t set up right in the first place. Wish as you will for forgiveness but stupidity is a close relative of negligence. KWWL story. KCCI.

Remember the bulldozer that slipped off it’s jacks killing the operator?

Bulldozer slips off jacks and kills operator

...using a crane to life the bulldozer, however it was too late and Mr. O’Shaughnessy was pronounced dead at the scene. Workplace accidents happen every day and most are avoidable; could this accident have been avoided? Hopefully, if he's married she is covered under a workers' compensation policy of insurance. That should pay her a lifetime benef...

from *InjuryBoard Des Moines* | *Des Moines* Iowa Personal Injury Attorney - Nov 2, 2009 1:50 PM

Bulldozer slips off jacks and kills operator, widow's benefits at stake

...using a crane to life the bulldozer, however it was too late and Mr. O’Shaughnessy was pronounced dead at the scene. Workplace accidents happen every day and most are avoidable; could this accident have been avoided?Hopefully, if he's married she is covered under a workers' compensation policy of insurance. That should pay her a lifetime benefit...

from The Verdict Blawg - Nov 2, 2009 9:12 AM

Benton County, Iowa - KWWL reports on a two-vehicle car accident south of Garrison in Benton County. The news report is slim on facts. It’s reported to be at the location of 63rd Street and 19th Avenue. One person died, although we don’t know who.

Jefferson County, Iowa - In a single vehicle roll-over accident the driver died while three passengers were injured on U.S. Highway 34 east of Fairfield near Osage Avenue. The woman was from Indiana; Margarita Ortiz Romero (37) and her passengers were a 7-year-old Daniela Ortiz, Edgar (2) and Lucelia Caperon (42) were all taken to either the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics or the Jefferson County Hospital. The roll-over occurred around 9:30 at night.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – A resident of CB was killed his motorcycle is reported to have struck a Honda Civic. The reports are that Eric Jacobsen (29) was struck at around 6:45 p.m. when the Civic’s driver failed to yield at a stop sign and she attempted a left turn off of Old Railroad Highway onto 205th Street. The driver said she didn’t see the motorcycle coming. Well how long did you look before pulling out? Did you come to a complete stop? How hard did you look? “I didn’t see it coming.”, isn’t a good enough reason to excuse the driver of negligence. Plain and simply you have a duty to see what is clearly there. In this instance it cost the motorcycle driver his life.

Hardin County, Iowa – A 16-year-old boy driving on a country road southeast of Union lost control while rounding a curve killing the 17-year-old passenger. (Leo Barten) Another passenger Austin Smitheman, 16, was also injured. A driver has a duty to maintain control and to drive at a speed to be able to maintain control. If you’re at the wheel it’s your duty to drive under control.

Story County, Iowa – An intersection collision at 620th Avenue and 315th Street

occurred at around 6:40 p.m. between a pickup truck being driven by Jacob Thompson of Maxwell and a Mazda being driven by Jose Martinez-Alvarez of Marshalltown. A passenger in the Alvarez vehicle, Salvator Hernandez Yepez of Marshalltown was ejected and pronounce dead at the scene. There were several other passengers and all were taken to Mary Greely Medical Center in Ames. Intersection collisions are pretty common when it’s location is either uncontrolled or out in the county.

If we are in a recession I'm not seeing it. If you need help or have questions with your insurance claim call us at the Lombardi Law Firm, we've done this for 30 years.

3 Comments

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Todd Liebelt
Posted by Todd Liebelt
November 11, 2009 4:11 PM

Mr lombardi befor you coment about a crane accident you should first know a little about CRANES!!!The LEGS you so talk about are called OUTRIGGERS The crane was beening moved on rubber witch the crane manufacture allowes with the suspention set.When the crane went into a depresion it leaned and contacted the building when they tried to move the crane thats when the crane overturned.So with your lack of knowledg of cranes it would benifit everyone if you would save your inacurate coments for people who know a little about this sort of thing.

Steve LombardiInjuryBoard Attorney Member
Posted by Steve Lombardi
November 11, 2009 8:16 PM

Todd were you there? If so in what capacity? Were you a witness? Are you the crane operator?

Steve LombardiInjuryBoard Attorney Member
Posted by Steve Lombardi
November 18, 2009 5:46 PM

Todd: There are safety procedures to be followed when moving a crane. The procedures have to do with the position of the boom and the outriggers; among other things. The ground needs to be firm. Attention needs to be paid to the outriggers, which need to be extended and close to the ground. If the operator had been following the safety rules, then chances are this one would not have fallen over. Just looking at the photographs tells us the rest of the story. All I can say is thanking God no one was killed. If I'm the GC or crane operator, that night drinks are on me. And while the rest of the crew enjoys that night, I thank my lucky stars I didn't kill another construction worker.

Gentlemen Raise Your Glasses and Repeat after me!

Here's to lying, stealing, and cheating!
May you lie to save a friend;
May you steal the heart of the one you love;
and may you cheat death.

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