Heavy Machinery
Construction sites and mining are among some of the industries that require heavy machinery to be used to complete jobs. The equipment makes these inherently dangerous places to work and when safety protocols are ignored, people can get injured or even killed. When a person is hurt on the job it can cause financial strain from medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering and more. If you or a family member has been hurt while using a heavy piece of machinery, then you need to contact an experienced attorney who can assist in getting you the compensation you deserve.
What is Considered Heavy Machinery?
Equipment does not need to meet any specific weight criteria to be considered “heavy machinery.” Examples of heavy machinery include backhoes, forklifts, dozers, excavators, and others. As such, a small backhoe is considered to be just as dangerous as a large one due to the injuries that both can cause in the blink of an eye. Operators of such machinery typically go to training so that they can be better prepared to handle the tasks of the job. However, it is still the responsibility of the company to provide personal protective equipment, obtain proper permits, test the air quality, and designate zones where people can safely work. All too often, employers encourage poor safety procedures, work their employees long hours without breaks or demand that deadlines must be met at the consequence of safety regulations being thrown out the window.
Types of Heavy Machinery Injuries
If a company does not implement the proper safety protocols to protect their employees, then they can be found at fault for the injury or death. For instance, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found a construction and concrete mixing company to be at fault for the death of an employee who was struck in the head by a metal tow rope connection. While OSHA can issue violations to companies that place employees at risk of injury or illness, an injured individual can also take action against the company to seek reparations for the damages caused. Other heavy machinery dangers that could lead to injury include:
- Heavy objects falling from equipment;
- Dust or silica inhalation from the dust-creating activities of heavy equipment;
- Machines rolling or tipping over;
- Hearing loss;
- Collisions;
- Overuse injuries from repetitive motions while operating the vehicle; and
- Exposure to chemicals or gases from fueling.
- More.
However, the vast majority of tractor fatalities occur when the tractor overturns according to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention study on heavy farm equipment.
The Tampa Bay Attorneys of Tison Law Group Can Help You Today
Nobody should have to bear the financial burden of a work injury that was either not their fault or was simply caused by a series of unfortunate circumstances. Heavy machinery injuries are often severe, causing stress on the individual and family members during the recovery process. An experienced Tampa Bay attorney can help you receive compensation to ease the costs associated with the injury or death. We will answer your questions and represent you against your employer. Contact the Tison Law Group to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can assist you with your case.
