Crane Accident Lawyer in Iowa
Workers’ Compensation & Third-Party Claims for Injured Iowa Workers
Pothitakis Law Firm represents injured Iowans throughout the state in the workers’ compensation and personal injury claims that follow these accidents. Led by Niko Pothitakis, who has practiced in workers’ compensation and personal injury matters since 1991, the firm handles both tracks of recovery from a single serious injury.
If you or someone you know was hurt in an Iowa crane accident, contact Pothitakis Law Firm at (319) 318-0450 for a free consultation by phone, video, or in person.
How Crane Accidents Happen
Cranes are among the most hazardous machines on any job site. Several failure patterns account for most serious injuries.
- Overloading: Exceeding a crane’s rated load capacity can cause the machine to tip, pulling the entire structure down on workers below.
- Boom or rigging failure: Structural failure of a boom, improper assembly, or a failing rigging component can send the crane or its load into sudden collapse.
- Dropped loads: A load that breaks free mid-lift can strike workers or bystanders anywhere beneath the crane’s swing radius.
- Operator error: Inadequately trained or uncertified operators are more likely to make the kind of misjudgments that lead to serious accidents.
- Power line contact: When a crane’s boom contacts an overhead power line, the result can be electrocution for the operator or anyone near the machine.
The injuries in these cases tend to be severe: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, and electrocution. Recovery often means extended time away from work, multiple surgeries, and long-term disability.
A Focused Iowa Injury Practice
Pothitakis Law Firm has recovered more than $140 million in benefits and settlements for injured workers and other clients. That record reflects a practice built entirely around workers’ compensation and personal injury matters, not a broad mix of unrelated work. Niko Pothitakis has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, and the firm has been included in Best Law Firms rankings. He has served as a board member and past president of the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, a position that reflects active involvement in the law and policy governing the claims he handles every day.
Iowa Workers’ Compensation After a Crane Injury
Iowa workers’ compensation is a no-fault system under Iowa Code chapter 85. An injured crane worker can receive medical treatment and wage-replacement benefits regardless of who caused the accident.
Filing Deadlines Injured Workers Must Know
Two deadlines apply from the start. Under Iowa Code section 85.23, an injured worker must notify the employer in writing within 90 days of the injury or risk losing benefits. Under Iowa Code section 85.26, a claim must generally be filed within two years of the date of injury, or within three years of the last weekly benefit payment if benefits have already been paid.
Iowa’s State OSHA Program & Crane Safety
Iowa operates its own OSHA-approved state plan through the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA), which enforces construction and crane-related safety standards on Iowa job sites. Employers must report a work-related death within 8 hours and certain serious injuries within 24 hours. OSHA crane standards govern operator certification, load capacity limits, pre-shift inspections, and safe distances from power lines. Citations issued after an accident can become significant evidence in a related civil claim.
Third-Party Claims When Another Company Shares Responsibility
Workers’ compensation is typically the exclusive remedy against an employer under Iowa Code section 85.20, which means an injured worker generally can’t sue their employer in civil court. But a construction crane job rarely involves only one company. General contractors, crane rental companies, equipment manufacturers, and specialty subcontractors may all be present on the same site, and any of them could share responsibility for what went wrong.
Iowa Code section 85.22 allows an injured worker to pursue a separate civil claim against a negligent third party in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. That personal injury claim is generally subject to the two-year statute of limitations in Iowa Code section 614.1(2). If workers’ compensation benefits are paid, the employer or its insurer typically holds a subrogation lien (a reimbursement right) against any recovery from that third-party claim. Managing both claims and negotiating the lien is work Pothitakis Law Firm handles on behalf of crane accident clients.
Get Answers About Your Crane Accident Case
Pothitakis Law Firm offers free consultations with flexible options, including phone and virtual appointments, so injured workers across Iowa can get answers without traveling to an office. The firm handles cases on a contingency-fee basis: no upfront attorney fees, and no fee at all unless the firm recovers compensation for them. The firm also provides a free Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Iowa for injured workers who want to understand their rights before making any decisions.
Call Pothitakis Law Firm at (319) 318-0450 to discuss your Iowa crane accident case at no cost and with no obligation.
Why Choose Pothitakis Law Firm?
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Top-Rated by Injured Workers Across IowaOur clients trust us — and their reviews show it. We’re proud to be recognized for our dedication, compassion, and the real results we’ve delivered to injured workers just like you.
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Free, Flexible Consultations – Your Schedule, Your Terms
Whether you prefer to meet in person, over the phone, or virtually, we make it easy for you to get trusted legal help — wherever and however you need it.
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We Know the Insurance Company's PlaybookOur team understands how insurance companies operate — and we use that knowledge to build stronger, smarter strategies that protect your rights and maximize your benefits.
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Work Injury Law Is All We DoWith over 25 years of focused experience, our firm handles only workers' compensation and work injury cases. This level of specialization allows us to navigate every case with unmatched precision and expertise.
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You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
We represent our clients on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no upfront cost. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything — it’s that simple.
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Over $140 Million Recovered for Injured WorkersWe have a long-standing track record of success, securing over $140 million in benefits and settlements for our clients. Our results reflect our relentless commitment to fighting for the compensation injured workers deserve.
See Our Success Stories
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$1 Million Workers Slip and Fall
After hearing, the Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner entered an award fully in favor of the Claimant finding him permanently and totally disabled. The Decision resulted in an award with the present value of in excess of $1 million. In addition, the Defendants were ordered to pay the Claimant’s medical expenses for the remainder of his life.
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$450,000 Partial Commutation
In 2013, our client was a truck driver who was fatally injured in a tragic auto accident. He was married at the time and as a result his wife was entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits. Those benefits would end upon her death or shortly after she were to remarry. The surviving spouse was finding it difficult to live on the weekly Workers’ Compensation benefits and for other reasons wanted to have the money paid in a lump sum.
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Workers’ Comp Appeal Results in Settlement
Pothitakis Law Firm pursued this claim for in excess of three and a half years. Mr. Pothitakis conferenced with the claimant’s doctors and obtained reports over those years to put the claimant in the best position to obtain a favorable result at hearing. When the initial decision was inappropriate, Pothitakis Law Firm filed an appeal and was successful on that appeal.