Crane, Earth Movers & Heavy Machinery
Our partners have decades of experience defending numerous cases involving a wide variety of heavy construction equipment, such as:
- hydraulic excavators
- front end loaders
- bulldozers, mining equipment
- soil and aggregate screening equipment
- mobile cranes
- offshore cranes
- ship cranes
- tower cranes
- asphalt milling machines
- asphalt pavers
- compactors
Our representation in the area of specialized products has included large ski-lift installations, aerial tramway systems, and monorail systems, as well as power hoists and scaffolding. NZA partners have long represented international manufacturers of these machines and have been involved in some of the most significant litigation in Chicago and around the country involving cranes and earth moving equipment. Examples include:
- A major construction equipment manufacturer client was sued for wrongful death when a young, married worker, father of 2 young children, was crushed to death using one of its machines. A verdict in favor of our client was returned by the jury after a two week trial.
- A client that designs large gantry cranes for use on the docks of major ports to load and unload container vessels was sued by a longshoreman who allegedly sustained major disabling injuries when the involved crane allegedly failed, releasing a large container onto his transport vehicle. Judgment in favor of the client was rendered after plaintiff presented his proofs during a one week bench trial.
- A serious construction site accident occurred when the client’s equipment was being used, resulting in two deaths and serious injuries to numerous workers. Three lawsuits were filed, with potential damages exposure in excess of $20,000,000. NZA partners succeeded in obtaining a dismissal of the client from all of the lawsuits without paying anything to plaintiffs.
- Successful defense of the River North crane collapse and the John Hancock scaffold/outrigger accident.