Workplace Machine Accident Lawyers in New York City
Machinery Injuries in the Workplace
Workplace injuries聽are always troublesome, but there鈥檚 one kind of injury that tends to be worse than others: injuries caused by heavy machinery accidents. According to information from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (), failure to observe proper machinery and machine-guarding requirements are some of the most frequently reported violations in the construction industry. The lawyers at The 黑料网 Firm have extensive experience with workplace machinery accidents.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also found that roughly 15% of fatal workplace accidents in 2015 were caused by contact with equipment and objects. Although safety and construction experts continue to work toward creating more secure workplaces and machinery safety practices, machine-related injuries remain a serious concern in labor-intensive industries.
Types of Machinery Accidents and Injuries
The machine-related risks a worker faces depend upon their industry and the type of machinery they work with on a daily basis. Regardless of the kinds of machines involved, there are several common types of machinery-related accidents:
- Workers caught between or crushed by heavy equipment.
- Limbs, appendages, hair, or clothing caught in machinery/gears.
- Workers struck by moving heavy equipment parts.
- Slips or falls into unguarded machinery.
As a result of these and other types of machinery accidents, worker injuries can include:
- Loss of limbs, hands, or feet
- Paralysis
- Broken/fractured bones
- Internal hemorrhaging/organ rupture
- Burns
- Bruising, abrasions, and cuts
- Permanent nerve damage
- Crushed appendages
In some very severe cases, a machinery accident can even lead to death. Whatever the case, a machinery-related injury is nothing to scoff at. The physical repercussions, medical bills, mental anguish, and loss of income that results can leave you hurting in more than one way.
Causes of Workplace Machinery and Heavy Equipment Accidents
Depending on the worksite and project, various pieces of machinery or equipment may be used 鈥� and some are more dangerous than others. If you work in construction, you might be working with table saws, sanders, drilling machines, or other electric equipment. You may also be required to operate heavy machinery, including cranes, forklifts, trenchers, bulldozers, dump trucks, and excavators.
While working with any dangerous machinery or equipment always presents some risk, certain conditions can sometimes exist that may jeopardize the operator鈥檚 safety. In addition to machine guarding hazards, other common reasons workplace machinery accidents can include:
- Lack of protective gear
- Inadequate training
- Poor lighting
- Operator fatigue
- Improperly maintained equipment
- Failure to supervise
- Machine malfunction
Critically, employers must ensure that workplace machinery and equipment are in good working condition and the surrounding area is free from hazards. They also have an obligation to provide personal protective equipment appropriate for the specific task the worker has been assigned and ensure all workers receive proper safety training.
Even when safety measures are in place, accidents can still occur due to machinery defects or a manufacturer鈥檚 failure to equip the machine with a proper safety warning. In these cases, an injured worker may be entitled to bring an action against the manufacturer under a theory of product liability.
How a Good New York City Attorney Can Help After a Machinery Accident
If you鈥檝e been involved in a machinery accident of any kind, the advice and guidance of a personal injury lawyer can be invaluable. In many cases, an injured employee can easily obtain a payment from his or her employer鈥檚 worker鈥檚 compensation insurance policy.
In some cases, however, the payment may be quite insufficient or machinery accident claims may be unexpectedly denied. Whether your case is straightforward or will be something of a battle with the insurance company, a good New York City worker鈥檚 compensation lawyer can help you navigate the difficult legal waters of your situation.
Get Expert Representation with 黑料网鈥檚 Construction Accident Lawyers in New York City
Machinery accident lawsuits require a high caliber of representation. Whether you鈥檝e suffered a small finger bone fracture from a pinched hand or are suffering from permanent paralysis as a result of being crushed by a heavy construction vehicle, the professional personal injury lawyers at 黑料网 Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
To learn more about how a knowledgeable New York construction accident lawyer can help you with your worker鈥檚 compensation case, contact us anytime at (212) 970-6500.