Work Machinery or Equipment Accidents

Multiple industries in Virginia rely on the use of heavy machinery and equipment to get a job done, ranging from miners to those in the construction industry and more. While equipment and machinery may be essential, they can also be dangerous, and every year, there are multiple workers harmed in equipment/machinery-related accidents.

When a worker is harmed on the job, they have the right to seek benefits under the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Sometimes, a third-party liability claim may also be pursued. At the offices of Hampton Injury Law, Attorney J.F. Hoen can help you to understand your options following a work machinery or equipment accident and recover the compensation you deserve.

Common Types of Work Machinery/Equipment Accidents

There are numerous types of accidents that a worker may suffer while using work machinery or work equipment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Crush injuries;
• Caught in or caught in between injuries;
• Falling object injuries (for example, a crane could drop a piece of equipment or building material, leading to a traumatic brain injury);
• Amputation injuries;
• Burn injuries; and
• Fall injuries, which can cause back, spinal cord, and head injuries, amongst other injury types.

While the exact cause of a workplace equipment injury varies on a case-by-case basis, some common causes of machinery and equipment injuries include improper training of workers, improper machine/equipment maintenance, lack of scaffolding or other safety requirements, using equipment without property protection, defective machinery and equipment, and failure to perform regular equipment inspections.

A Worker’s Rights after a Work Machinery or Equipment Accident

As stated above, when a worker is injured on the job, they have the right to bring forth a workers’ compensation claim. A workers’ compensation claim helps to pay for all of a worker’s reasonable and necessary medical expenses and a percentage of their lost wages. If a workplace injury results in death, death benefits are also available to surviving family members.

In addition to a workers’ compensation claim, injured workers may also be able to bring forth a third-party liability claim when the negligence of a party other than their employer was the cause of their injury. For example, if a machinery accident occurred because of a defective design of the machinery, the manufacturer of the machinery could be held liable for damages.

Contact Hampton Injury Law Today

At the law offices of Hampton Injury Law, we know what you are going through and how traumatic a workplace injury can be. Our experienced Virginia workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyer, Mr. Hoen, can guide you through your options and will aggressively advocate for you if you move forward with a claim. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, contact our law firm online or by phone today.