According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), over 4.5 million medically consulted injuries occurred in 2020. Of those injuries, approximately 25% involved heavy objects or equipment. The injuries ranged from minor contusions to fatal injuries. Because of the nature of heavy equipment injuries, many workers can experience extensive medical expenses and loss of wages.
If you have been injured by heavy equipment through your workplace, you could receive compensation to help you recover your losses.
What Is a Heavy Equipment Injury?
Construction sites and industrial facilities require various types of heavy machinery and equipment to operate. While employers must ensure that workers get adequately trained to safely operate the equipment, accidents happen. These accidents could occur because of a fault of your own or fellow employee, negligence of an employer to provide a safe working environment or malfunction of the equipment being used.
Some of the heavy machinery and equipment commonly involved in workplace accidents include:
- Backhoes
- Loaders
- Scrapers
- Bulldozers
- Cranes
- Forklifts
- Graders
- Excavators
- Electric hand trucks
- Dump trucks
- Industrial and factory machines
- Combines and other farming equipment
- Logging equipment
Some of the common causes of heavy machinery and equipment accidents include:
- Becoming entangled in moving parts of machinery
- Being hit by objects falling from or flying off of equipment
- Getting pinned between the equipment and stationary objects
- Getting crushed under collapsing structures
- Being hit by moving machinery or vehicles
Some common injuries caused by heavy equipment accidents include:
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Torn ligaments, tendons, and tissues
- Broken bones
- Crushed or mangled limbs, hands, or fingers
- Amputation of a limb
- Head Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal injury to organs
- Death
Heavy Equipment Workplace Injury Compensation
If you are injured in a heavy equipment accident while working, you could receive compensation in one of two ways. The first way you could receive compensation is by filing a worker’s compensation claim. State laws require most employers to have worker’s compensation insurance. If your employer carries worker’s compensation insurance, you’re entitled to file a claim. Worker’s Compensation benefits should help cover reasonable medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages.
Another way to receive compensation is through a personal injury lawsuit. Under certain circumstances, you could file a claim against a third party who may order responsibility for your injury. This is most relative if the accident resulted from faulty heavy equipment. If this can be proven, the equipment manufacturer could be liable for compensating you. You could receive compensation for medical expenses and lost wages and pain or suffering.
Getting Help Receiving Compensation
Heavy equipment accidents can cause severe and costly injuries. If you have been injured by heavy equipment at work, you will need to get as much financial help as possible. An experienced personal injury should know how to help you get the best compensation. They can help you pursue Worker’s Compensation benefits but also determine if you qualify for a third-party personal injury claim. Many employers and insurance companies do not want to have to pay compensation so they will fight against your claims, so you will need someone with experience on your side.
Brock & Stout personal injury attorneys have over 25 years of experience working with clients to get the compensation they deserve. Contact us for a free evaluation today if you need compensation for your workplace injuries. Let our family help your family.