Heavy machinery accidents can happen in any industrial setting. While employers are required by law to meet certain safety standards, these regulations do not prevent every accident from happening.
When a heavy machinery accident results in your injury, you could be entitled to compensation. Working with a skilled workplace accident attorney could allow you to recover a monetary award to help you pay for your accident-related expenses. Let a Bellaire heavy machinery injury lawyer review your case and explain your legal options.
How Heavy Machinery Accidents Happen
Heavy machinery accidents can cause significant injuries that justify a personal injury lawsuit. Such accidents are often the result of defective machinery, improper maintenance, or unsafe working conditions. A hardworking Bellaire attorney could pursue legal action for a heavy equipment injury due to the following issues:
Defective Machinery
The manufacturer could be liable when defective machinery causes an accident due to its faulty design or manufacture. Faulty equipment could include malfunctioning machines due to poor assembly, inadequate safety features, or uninstalled parts.
Improper Maintenance
Improper maintenance can also contribute to heavy machinery accidents. For example, when the equipment does not undergo routine maintenance, this could lead to breakdowns, resulting in serious injuries. In some situations, a third party—as opposed to the employer—is responsible for faulty maintenance.
Unsafe Working Conditions
Finally, unsafe working conditions can also be a factor in heavy machinery accidents. This includes unguarded moving parts on machines that can trap workers. Additionally, not having the proper protective equipment for the job or overcrowding at work sites can also increase the likelihood of an accident.
Common Heavy Machinery Injuries
A wide range of injuries can occur when heavy machinery accidents are involved. These injuries can result in permanent disability, chronic pain, or even death. Common examples of harm that results from these incidents include the following:
- Degloving injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Compound fractures
- Spinal damage
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Amputation
Each of these injuries requires extensive, ongoing medical care. However, this care can become costly, especially when the victim cannot return to the workforce. Thankfully, a dedicated lawyer in Bellaire could fight for the financial support an injured worker needs following an industrial machinery injury.
Who is Liable for Machinery Accidents?
The public holds a common misconception that work-related injuries can only lead to a workers’ compensation claim. In reality, there are times when a knowledgeable Bellaire attorney could pursue a civil lawsuit and recover fair compensation on behalf of the injured employee.
These lawsuits are expected when the negligence of a third-party results in an injury. Third-party entities could include machine repair companies or careless vendors that cause an accident. In some cases, an employer could also face liability if they are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
Talk to an Attorney in Bellaire After a Heavy Machinery Injury
Unfortunately, heavy machinery accidents are common, and the resulting injuries can have life-changing repercussions for you and your family. A lawsuit could provide those parties with the support they need.
In any case, involving a heavy machinery accident that results in an injury, it is crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A Bellaire heavy machinery injury lawyer could determine the best way to pursue justice through a personal injury lawsuit. Call today for a free consultation.