Common Causes of Workplace Machine Accidents
Some of the most serious on-the-job injuries involve heavy machinery, and many of these accidents can be prevented by following proper safety procedures. Below are some of the factors that often contribute to machine-related incidents:
Inadequate Training
Workers need to be informed of how each machine works before operating it. If no one explains how to handle or maintain equipment safely, or if employees skip formal instruction, mistakes become more likely.
Lack of Machine Maintenance
Weak or nonexistent maintenance schedules lead to malfunctions and breakdowns. When parts wear down and go without repair, the risk of an accident goes up.
Missing Safety Guards
Many industrial machines rely on built-in guards or shields that protect operators from moving parts. If these guards are removed, broken, or never installed in the first place, injuries can occur.
Rushing to Meet Deadlines
When managers push workers to meet tight production goals, employees may cut corners. This could mean skipping necessary checks, ignoring procedures, or working while fatigued – all of which raise the likelihood of an accident.
Ignoring Lockout/Tagout Procedures
Machinery needs to be shut down and locked while being repaired or cleaned. If this system isn’t followed, a worker could accidentally restart the machine and injure someone still working on it.
Common Injuries Suffered as A Result of Machine Accidents
Below is a rundown of some common workplace accidents that can happen when machinery isn’t handled correctly and the injuries they can cause.
Crush Injuries
When a large part of your body is pinned between two moving objects, you may suffer broken bones, internal bleeding, and organ damage. These types of injuries often require immediate surgery and can result in permanent disability.
Amputations
Contact with sharp or pressurized parts can lead to the loss of fingers, hands, or limbs. Even with surgery, you might need lengthy rehabilitation and prosthetics to regain mobility.
Burns and Electrocution
Machinery that produces heat or has live electrical parts can cause severe burns and electric shocks. These incidents may result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, or cardiac issues if the electrocution was particularly bad.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
If a machine’s moving part strikes your head, you could suffer a TBI. Symptoms vary from mild concussions to life-changing cognitive and emotional challenges that call for extensive medical care. Reach out to our brain injury lawyers in Los Angeles for more information.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Falls or sudden impacts can damage the spine, leading to partial or total paralysis. In these situations, you may need long-term care, special equipment, and therapy. If you have injured your spine due to a work accident, call a Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney today.
Hearing Loss
Noise levels from machinery can be intense, and over time, constant exposure can lead to irreversible hearing damage. Even a sudden blast or malfunction can cause immediate hearing loss, requiring hearing aids or other accommodations.
Eye Injuries
Flying debris, sparks, or chemical splashes can all injure your eyes while handling industrial equipment. Proper safety gear can help mitigate these risks, but without the appropriate precautions, workers can sustain permanent vision loss or other complications.
If you’ve been injured on the job due to unsafe machinery, you may have the right to seek compensation and the support needed to heal and move on with your life. It’s important to speak with an experienced workplace injury attorney in Los Angeles to discuss your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Much Is My Machinery Injury Claim Worth?
Determining the value of a machinery injury claim isn’t straightforward. No reputable attorney can give an exact number without a careful investigation because so much depends on your unique circumstances. Every case is different, but there are certain factors that make a big difference in your potential compensation if you’re injured in a workplace or industrial machinery accident. Here’s what courts, adjusters, and lawyers consider:
The Severity of Your Injuries
Generally, the more serious your injury, the higher your potential claim value. Hospitalizations, broken bones, permanent disability, long-term rehabilitation, loss of limb, and traumatic brain injuries usually lead to higher settlements or jury awards than minor cuts or sprains.
Who The Liable Party Is and Their Insurance Coverage
The ability to recover compensation often depends not just on who is at fault, but how much insurance coverage that person or company holds. If a machine manufacturer, third-party contractor, or property owner caused or contributed to your accident, and their insurance policy is sizable, your chances of full recovery are usually greater than if you’re the responsible party is someone with little to no insurance coverage or assets.
The Strength of The Evidence
Even if your injuries are severe, your claim’s value comes down to evidence. Witnesses, maintenance logs, safety records, and experts can all link the machine, workplace, or manufacturer to the root cause of your accident. Strong documentation, clear medical records, inspector reports, and incident records all help raise the value of your claim and give you leverage for negotiation.
The Experience of Your Attorney
An attorney who has handled machinery and workplace injury cases before will understand how to deal with employers and insurers, uses experienced experts, and understands how to demand payment for “invisible” losses like reduced earning power or pain and suffering. They can often obtain higher settlements on your behalf.
Emotional Impact of The Injury
Serious injuries that affect your daily life, emotional health, or relationships can raise the overall value of your claim. If trauma leads to persistent fear, anxiety, PTSD, loss of enjoyment, or makes family relationships harder, you may qualify for additional compensation for these non-economic damages.
Comparative Fault
If your machinery injury happened in California, you need to be aware of the state’s comparative fault rules. If you are found partially to blame – maybe you ignored a warning label or skipped required safety gear – your final award will be reduced by your own percentage of fault. Even if you’re mostly not responsible, this law reduces compensation in proportion to any share of blame you carry.
Because so many moving parts go into figuring out the value of your machinery injury claim, it’s smart to meet with a lawyer who can review your details and give you an idea of what you could receive.
Do You Need an Attorney for Your Machinery Injury?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for your machinery injury claim – technically, you have the right to handle it yourself, whether it’s an insurance claim or a lawsuit. However, seeking legal counsel is usually a smart move, especially in cases involving significant injuries, multiple defendants, or complicated insurance policies. Here’s how an experienced attorney can help:
- Determine the true value of your claim by analyzing all losses, including future medical bills, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering.
- Handle conversations and negotiations with employers, insurers, and third-party companies to make sure you aren’t pressured into accepting a low offer.
- Gather and preserve important evidence such as maintenance logs, training records, safety inspections, video footage, and witness statements.
- Identify every potentially liable party (from manufacturers to contractors or subcontractors) so your case doesn’t miss out on potential sources of recovery.
- File a lawsuit if necessary and represent you in court.
Trying to handle a claim alone isn’t impossible, but it usually puts you at a disadvantage.
If you work in an environment filled with heavy machinery, safety is a serious concern that can mean the difference between a normal workday and a permanent, life-altering injury. Improper use of machines can lead to catastrophic incidents, and in some cases, you could be entitled to compensation as a result.