Holding Employers and Manufacturers Accountable for Preventable Heavy Machinery Accidents
A heavy machinery accident resulting in a worker injury can occur in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and agriculture, among others. Unsafe machine-related injuries may be more likely to occur when equipment is defective, poorly maintained, or operated without proper safety protocols. Every year, thousands of workers sustain injuries or lose their lives due to heavy equipment accidents.
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one sustained unsafe machine injuries in the workplace. At Munley Law, we help injured workers and their families recover damages after devastating equipment-related injuries. Learn more about what our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers can do for you by contacting us today for a free consultation.
The Most Common Machine-Related Accidents
Heavy machinery accidents can occur in a variety of work environments, from active construction zones to the manufacturing process in factories. They often involve large, powerful equipment that can cause severe or fatal injuries in a matter of seconds.
Some of the most common types of machine-related incidents include:
- Caught-in or crushed-by accidents
- Machine entanglement
- Amputation accidents
- Struck-by incidents
- Malfunctioning safety features
- Falls from machinery
These incidents don’t just happen in high-risk environments. They can occur wherever equipment is present. They may be more likely to happen if workers are using faulty equipment, haven’t been provided with personal protective equipment, or haven’t undergone proper training.
Why These Injuries Happen: Top Causes of Equipment Accidents
Machinery-related injuries may not be the result of “freak accidents” in most cases. They often stem from a chain of preventable failures. The most common causes include:
- Defective design or manufacturing: Poorly designed safety features, lack of emergency stop functions, or mechanical defects can make a machine inherently dangerous.
- Lack of maintenance: Equipment that is not routinely inspected or serviced can malfunction due to wear and tear, resulting in unexpected failures or unsafe operation.
- Missing safety guards: Machines lacking guards on moving parts or cutting tools expose workers to unnecessary risk, especially when these components were removed or never installed.
- Inadequate training: Workers who haven’t been properly trained may use equipment incorrectly or fail to identify hazards.
- Failure to follow safety protocols: When supervisors cut corners or employers skip standard procedures to save time, workers often pay the price.
- Poor supervision or oversight: Inexperienced managers, miscommunication on job sites, or under-enforced safety policies increase the likelihood of serious incidents.
Whether a defective machine caused an injury or it genuinely resulted from an accident that couldn’t have been avoided, an injured worker can typically file a workers’ compensation claim seeking benefits in these circumstances.
Devastating Workplace Injuries Caused by Heavy Equipment Failures
The physical toll of machinery accidents can be life-altering. Victims often require emergency surgery, long-term rehabilitation, or suffer permanent disability.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic amputations
- Crush injuries and internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Deep lacerations and severe scarring
- Broken bones and dislocations
- Burns from mechanical friction or electrical faults
- Head and traumatic brain injuries due to blunt force trauma
These injuries can leave workers unable to return to their previous jobs (or any job at all), leading to lasting financial and emotional hardship.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Machinery-Related Injury?
Liability depends on the circumstances of the accident. Workers’ compensation claims often cover basic medical bills and lost wages. However, it doesn’t hold negligent parties financially accountable. A victim may have grounds to file a third-party lawsuit, such as a product liability claim, if they can show their injuries resulted from the negligence of another party or design defects.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Equipment manufacturers: If a machine was designed defectively or built with substandard parts, the manufacturer may be liable.
- Distributors and retailers: Those who sold or rented defective equipment can also be held accountable under product liability laws.
- Subcontractors: On a job site, another contractor’s failure to maintain or operate machinery safely may make them liable for your injuries.
- Employers: The workers’ compensation system protects employers from liability the vast majority of the time. However, there are rare scenarios in which it may be possible to sue an employer, such as if they intentionally removed safety measures, did not have safety gear on hand, or otherwise egregiously violated safety protocols.
Munley Law can help you investigate your claim, identify liable parties, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What Damages Can Be Recovered from Machine-Related Injuries?
If you’ve been injured in a heavy machinery accident, you may be eligible to recover:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- Occupational therapy or home care costs
- Property damage, if applicable
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct
The compensation that may be available can depend on what type of claim or lawsuit you’re filing. For example, workers’ comp doesn’t cover pain and suffering. However, compensation for this type of “non-economic” damage may be available if you file a third-party lawsuit.
What to Do After a Machinery-Related Injury
Taking the right steps after an equipment accident can strengthen your case:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Document all injuries and follow through with recommended care.
- Report the incident: Notify your employer or supervisor and request a copy of the accident report.
- Document the scene: Take photos or videos of the equipment, environment, and any visible injuries, if possible.
- Preserve the equipment: Do not allow machinery to be altered, repaired, or removed until a legal or expert inspection is conducted.
- Contact an experienced attorney: A lawyer can help secure evidence, consult industry experts, and protect your rights from day one.
How Munley Law Can Help with Workplace Accidents
The right attorney can make a significant difference in your case’s outcome after a heavy machinery accident. We’ve been in business for 65 years and counting, providing our clients with quality representation for decades. We have the track record to back up our promises. For example, we secured a $12 million verdict for a victim who lost their leg in a forklift accident. The fact that we secured a favorable verdict demonstrates our ability to achieve desirable outcomes both in and out of court.
We don’t charge upfront legal fees for our services. Instead, we enter into a contingency fee agreement with a new client, setting our fee as a percentage of the compensation they receive. That means you only pay for our services if you win your case.
Contact Munley Law Today
Don’t wait to seek legal advice if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a heavy machinery accident. Delays can weaken your claim and make it harder to preserve vital evidence.
Our team at Munley Law is prepared to fight on your behalf and seek compensation for your injuries. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us today for a free consultation.
