South Carolina Crane Accident Injury Lawyers

Crane injuries can happen anywhere heavy equipment is used for construction, cargo movement, or industrial work, and South Carolina has no shortage of such settings. Cranes are especially common around the Port of Charleston and North Charleston, where SC Ports says its operations generate more than $85 billion in statewide economic impact and support 1 in 9 South Carolina jobs. 

When a crane incident happens, though, the damage can be devastating. A 2024 crane collapse in Little River killed a teenage worker, and a separate terminal incident caused more than $4.5 million in damage. The Steinberg Law Firm helps injured workers and families pursue answers and relief after these events.

The Role of Cranes in South Carolina’s Economy

Cranes are used in many of South Carolina’s leading industries, from port operations to manufacturing plants. In South Carolina, cranes commonly support work in places such as:

• Port terminals referenced include facilities located in Charleston, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, all operated by the South Carolina Ports Authority.
• Shipyards and waterfront cargo areas
• Highway and bridge projects across the state
• Commercial construction sites
• Plants and manufacturing factories
• Warehouses, distribution centers, and utility projects

Crane work remains active in South Carolina, where these jobs are more concentrated than the national average.

*Disclaimer: Steinberg Law Firm was not directly involved in the specific incidents reported. This is for informational and educational purposes only. Reading this content does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Crane Accident

​The accident should also be reported promptly, and the scene should be documented if that can be done safely. Also:

• Medical care should come first after a crane injury. 
• Crushing trauma, head injuries, internal injuries, and electrical injuries can worsen quickly. 
• Witnesses should be identified. 
• Photos of the equipment, the load, the rigging, the ground conditions, warning markings, and the surrounding work area may preserve details that could change within hours. 

Maintenance records, inspection logs, lift plans, and incident reports can also become important evidence. These cases often move quickly on the employer and insurance side, which makes early evidence preservation especially important.

Types of Crane Injuries 

There are many ways a crane accident can occur, and most cause serious injuries. Collapses and tip-overs can crush workers, strike nearby structures, or send equipment into roadways and work areas. 

Struck-by events can happen when a suspended load swings, drops, or breaks loose. Caught-in and crushed incidents can happen when a worker gets pinned between equipment, materials, or structural elements. Electrocution can occur when the boom, line, or load comes into contact with energized power lines.

The injuries from these events tend to be severe because crane work involves heavy loads, high forces, and great heights. Injuries after a crane accident can include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries,
• Spinal cord damage,
• Broken bones and fractures,
• Crush injuries,
• Amputations,
• Burns, and
• Internal bleeding.

In some serious cases, these injuries can lead to fatal outcomes. A single equipment failure can put several workers at risk for injuries. 

OSHA Standards, Industry Regulations, and Safety Improvements

Crane operators and employers must follow several OSHA rules designed to reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths on the job. In construction settings, many of the key requirements appear in 29 C.F.R. Part 1926, Subpart CC.

Construction Crane Rules

The following OSHA rules generally address:

• Operator qualification and certification;
• Training and recertification;
• Assembly and disassembly procedures;
• Signaling requirements;
• Equipment operation; and
• Power-line clearance.

OSHA also includes standard hand signals in Appendix A to help crews communicate clearly during lifting operations. Scheduled inspections and proper maintenance are also required under OSHA’s crane rules. Under 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1412, cranes must undergo shift, monthly, and annual inspections in certain situations. 

Under 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1416, employers must address and correct equipment deficiencies that constitute a safety hazard before the equipment is used, and under § 1926.1417, operators must follow tag-out and operational safety procedures when equipment problems are identified. 

Crane Accidents in Construction vs. Industrial Environments

Industrial environments, like our local ports, can involve crane work and other duties. Also, construction sites on local roads and in business areas can involve different risks and, as a result, varied legal issues. ​

Industrial or port risks may involve the following:

• Ship-to-shore operations,
• Container movements,
• Vessel congestion,
• Tight spaces,
• Water conditions, and
• Overlapping crews.

Construction site concerns may include the following:

• Ground stability,
• Signal issues,
• Overhead power lines, and
• Lift issues.

Longshoremen, harbor workers, and dockworkers may also fall under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act rather than standard South Carolina workers’ compensation. As a result, the work setting can affect the risks involved, the benefits system, the deadlines, and how the case is investigated.

What Are The Common Causes of Crane Accidents?

​The word “accident” can mislead people in these cases. Many crane incidents are preventable and stem from unsafe decisions, poor communication, neglected maintenance, or failure to follow established lifting procedures. ​Several recurring problems show up in crane injury cases:

• Crane operator negligence;
• Inadequate inspections;
• Unsafe rigging;
• Overloaded lifts;
• Communication issues;
• Unstable ground;
• Adverse weather conditions;

OSHA’s construction crane rules address many of these issues directly. OSHA addresses crane hazards in specific standards for construction, general industry, and maritime work because the risks are well known.

Can I Get Workers’ Compensation for a Crane Accident?

Workers who suffer injuries in a South Carolina crane accident may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Some port and harbor workers may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Moreover, in certain cases, injured workers may be able to pursue a third-party claim.

​Some important points to take into account include the following:

• Under SC Code § 42-15-20, notice to the employer for a South Carolina workers’ compensation claim must be given as soon as practicable, and no later than 90 days after the accident.
• A South Carolina workers’ compensation claim is generally due within 2 years.
• For accidents on or after January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly rate is $1,189.94.
• Longshore claims generally must be filed within 1 year.
• A third-party claim may exist if defective equipment or another outside party contributed to the injury.

These rules can affect both the benefits available and the deadline for taking action. Contact our firm today to learn more about your legal options. 

​Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Crane Accidents

Contact Steinberg Law Firm Today For Your SC Crane Accident 

Cases involving crane injuries require a deep familiarity with state, federal, and local statutes and procedural obligations. The Steinberg Law Firm handles an array of personal injury cases, including construction-site and port-related injuries in South Carolina. The firm has helped construction workers, longshoremen, harbor workers, and dock workers. 

The firm has more than 170 years of combined legal experience, more than 1,000 five-star reviews, and 24/7 availability. If a crane accident left you injured or took the life of someone you love, contact the Steinberg Law Firm for a free consultation at (843) 720-2800 today.