Injuries caused by defective equipment can be life-changing. They can leave you permanently unable to work and can leave you with a large amount of medical bills to pay. Thankfully, you have options when it comes to seeking compensation for your losses. If you were injured because of a defective piece of heavy equipment, it's important to know who can be held liable for your damages.
Construction workers across the country use many different types of machinery to complete their jobs. These pieces of equipment can range from power tools to cranes and even forklifts. All of these machines require specialized training and safety gear to ensure their safe operation. Unfortunately, too many accidents occur because of defective parts that are not properly designed or maintained.
These defects can result in serious injuries, including burns and amputations. If you were injured because of a piece of heavy equipment that was not designed or manufactured correctly, you should speak with an attorney to learn your rights and determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation.
The most common type of equipment that causes accidents is a heavy piece of machinery like a crane or a backhoe. These machines are very heavy, and they require a high level of safety measures to prevent accidents. If a crane collapses, for example, workers and other people in the vicinity may be seriously injured or killed.
Other types of heavy equipment include forklifts, excavators, and bulldozers. These machines are also extremely dangerous if they fail to have safety features, such as backup alarms and sensors. In addition, they may be prone to rollovers and tip-overs, which can be deadly for operators and anyone in the area.
Some heavy equipment is powered by electricity, and this can be dangerous if it's not properly maintained. If the machine is close to a live power line or other electrical source, it can conduct this electricity straight into the body of the operator. It can also be dangerous to those working around the equipment if it's not properly insulated.
In addition, equipment that's not properly protected by mirrors or seat belts can become a serious safety hazard when it hits a worker or another piece of equipment. This can result in fatal injuries or amputations.
Heavy equipment accidents can be caused by a number of different things, including human error or negligence. They can also be caused by environmental issues, such as lightning strikes or shifting ground.
Ultimately, accidents that involve heavy equipment can be a tragic reminder of how much care needs to go into the manufacturing and design of these items. If you've been hurt in an accident involving heavy equipment, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to find out if you have a case and how much compensation you might be eligible to receive.
When a defect is a reason for your injury, it's likely that you have a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the machine or equipment involved in the accident. You can also file a claim against the party who rented or supervised the use of the equipment and was responsible for any maintenance and inspections. Your claim will allow you to recover compensation for your damages, including any lost wages and any medical costs.
Heavy machinery is used in many industries, including building sites, oil and gas extraction, warehouses, factories, metalworking facilities, and construction projects. When these massive pieces of equipment aren't used properly, they can cause serious accidents and injuries that are often life-changing.
The most common causes of heavy machinery accidents are operator error, mechanical errors, or neglect of maintenance. However, a number of other factors can contribute to workplace hazards that result in accidents and injury.
A poorly trained or inexperienced operator can be a major contributing factor in an accident involving heavy machinery. This could include a person who is not licensed to operate a specific machine or who doesn't understand how the machine should be operated in order to protect workers.
Failing to use safety gear - Employers should ensure that all employees wearing protective equipment wear the appropriate type of clothing and footwear. This includes hats, goggles, and gloves, all of which can protect against flying debris or other potential dangers.
Poor maintenance - Many companies fail to maintain their equipment, resulting in the need for repair or replacement. This can lead to the machine becoming unpredictable and unsafe to operate, which increases the risk of an accident.
Rollovers and Collapses - Heavy machinery, such as cranes, bulldozers, forklifts, and dump trucks, can easily roll over. When this happens, it can crush or splinter a worker's body part and cause serious injuries.
Blind Spots and Vehicles Backing Up - When trucks, cranes, or other heavy machinery is moving at a fast pace, it's difficult for drivers to see and react when another vehicle or another piece of machinery approaches them. This can make it very dangerous for workers on foot to walk around these large vehicles.
Almost 75 percent of all fatal worksite accidents involve pedestrians who are struck by objects or machines, and heavy machinery is often involved. These types of accidents can involve falling down from a machine, getting caught in between a piece of machinery and being dragged by it, or being run over by a truck or other type of equipment.
Electrical Hazards - A power line located above or buried under the ground can be an additional hazard for workers who are close to equipment that may be conducting electricity. This is especially true when the equipment is powered and an operator or other worker is attempting to touch it.
Amputations - Those who have suffered severe injuries because they were caught in a heavy machine and have their limbs removed can be left with a lifetime of pain, a permanent disability, or even death. These accidents can be devastating for victims and their families, but they can also lead to a lawsuit that can help recover compensation for these losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a heavy machine, contact an experienced New York City personal injury lawyer right away. If an employer or other party is responsible for your injuries, you can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
There are a number of ways to recover compensation for injuries and losses after a heavy machinery accident in New York. These include filing a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or social security disability benefits.
A seasoned NYC industrial injury and heavy machinery accident lawyer with decades of experience going toe-to-toe with the big equipment manufacturers, contractors, insurance companies, and other parties will be able to help maximize your compensation for any injuries you may have sustained in an accident on a construction site or elsewhere.
Injuries from these types of accidents can range from mild to serious. Regardless of the degree of your injury, it is essential to get treatment from a reputable medical facility and seek legal counsel as soon as possible following an accident.
Immediately reporting your injury is the best way to ensure that you are treated properly and the accident record is established in a timely manner. Dishonest employers or supervisors who attempt to delay reporting a construction site accident can significantly affect your case.
You have a limited time to file a claim after an accident in New York, so if you or a loved one has been injured by a piece of machinery, it is important to act quickly. Whether you are seeking workers’ compensation, a personal injury, or Social Security disability benefits, filing your claim within the relevant statute of limitations is critical to the success of your case.
The most effective way to prove your claim is by showing that you are suffering from a sudden inability to perform the daily tasks of your job. This can be done through a variety of sources including work permits, employer job documents, and employment records. If you are self-employed, tax documents and client contracts can also be used as evidence of a loss of income in calculating your wage loss.
Other sources of documented evidence for a heavy machinery injury claim can include government and agency reports, violations, citations, OSHA investigations, and construction inspections. In addition to providing proof of your injuries, these reports can show that other parties are responsible for the accident and therefore need to be held liable for your damages.
In the State of New York, workers have two years to file a Workers’ Compensation claim after an injury on the job. However, if the accident occurred during a project that is owned by the City of New York or controlled by the New York City Transit Authority, different deadlines and requirements apply.
K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. | Construction Accident Attorney and Car Accident Lawyer
3763 83rd St #1m, Queens, NY 11372, United States
(646) 701-7990