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What is a Bucket Truck?

 

A bucket truck is a truck that has a long arm or “boom” with a bucket on the end that is designed to hold a person (or persons) so they may be hoisted up to perform work at heights.  Depending upon how high the truck lifts people and how heavy the boom is, some bucket trucks have braces on the sides to help prevent the truck from tipping.

 

Estimate of Usage

 

An estimate shows approximately 250,000 workers annually use aerial lifts such as cherry pickers and bucket trucks, putting them at risk for falls, electrocution and a list of other possible injuries. A majority of these workers are in the construction, painting, telephone companies, sign companies, highway tree trimmers and any company the regularly needs to lift people up at multiple locations. To prevent accidents while working on aerial lift equipment, it is important that employers are vigilant in ensuring that all safety precautions are being implemented.

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Bucket Truck Lawyer in Los Angeles

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According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, also known as CPWR, about 26 workers die every year utilizing the aerial lifts. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011 estimated there were 39 fatalities directly blamed on elevating devices such as cherry pickers and aerial lifts that were not truck mounted. Another 66 fatalities were directly attributed to truck mounted lifts. Another 34 fatalities listed these types of equipment as the secondary cause of death in workers. In addition, there are also fatalities from electrocution while using an elevating device, but these are not included in these numbers.These causes are usually ranged due to electrocutions, falls and tip-overs to being caught between the bucket or guardrail and an object.

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Aerial Lift Injures

 

There are always fall risks when working at elevated levels. Whoever that is working on a cherry picker or bucket truck has the risk of unfortunately falling, but there are many other hazards as well. Although, these devices are often attached to vehicles, they are mobile and have the risk of moving or being hit by other moving vehicles and are often in many different locations.

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These are the common causes of injuries and fatalities of using cherry picker or bucket truck:

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• Falling from lift. From boom-supported lifts like cherry pickers and bucket trucks, 50% of falls are due to being ejected from the lift. This can be caused by impact from hitting or being hit by other vehicles or objects, sudden jerking motions or from falling objects.

• Electrocution. Many injuries and fatalities working on aerial lifts are due to coming in contact with power lines. This can be from workers that maintain the power lines or construction lifts that inadvertently hit power lines.

• Tipping over. If improper weights are in lifts, the truck is moved or the vehicle is not stable while using a lift, there can be tip-over accidents. These accidents can lead to fractures, internal crushing and fall injuries.

 

Preventing Aerial Lift Injuries

 

Aerial lifts have similar risks as cranes and other elevated work equipment but have the additional element of also being mobile. This makes using all safety precautions even more crucial as there are outside influences these workers may have to contend with. Precautions that should be used are:

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• Equipment inspection. All equipment on the lifts should be inspected before use to make sure it is working correctly to prevent jerking and mechanical failure.

• Work site safety. Cherry pickers and bucket trucks need to be parked on a level, stable surface and have emergency brake set; never move truck with anyone in the lift. Be aware of wind elements that can cause dangerous lift conditions.

• Stable loads. All weight requirements should be adhered to as well as not using lift for uneven loads.

• Safe loads. Within the weight parameters set forth be the product manufacturer

• Wear safety equipment. The use of harnesses, hard hats and other safety equipment should always be maintained.

 

Aerial lifts are needed to perform many jobs and are quicker and safer than using ladders and other lifting devices. However, there are many risks both from the job itself and outside factors. Any industry using these devices needs to take the proper safety precautions to ensure their workers are being protected.

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Aerial Lift Lawyer to Get You Compensation

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Very few attorneys have experience litigating accidents involving bucket trucks (cherry picker) accidents. Our attorney members have successfully prosecuted aerial lift accidents for injured people involving: defective products, negligent operation and inadequate maintenance.  In most cases, we have successfully recovered damages for our clients, based upon:

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• Lost wages

• Medical expenses

• Funeral costs

• Disfigurement

• Compensation for pain and disability

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You Don’t Pay Until You Win

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Contact Legal Leaf to get in touch with a  Bucket Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles to schedule a free, no obligation initial case evaluation at 1-424-256-9055. Our Bucket Truck Accident Lawyer will help protect your rights.

 

And remember, You Don’t Pay until You Win, or You Don’t Pay At All!

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Lawyer Referral Service

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If you are in a need a attorney to help you get appropriate compensation and medical care you deserve, you should contact an attorney today. Our experienced lawyers in Los Angeles will help you find the solutions you need for your legal issues.

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If you have any questions about the information provided above, please contact Legal Leaf.

Legal Leaf is a Lawyer Referral that can provide you with a Bucket Truck Accident Attorney in Los Angeles County area.

 

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