A wide range of occupations require the use of heavy machinery and equipment, including those involved in transportation, manufacturing, and construction. Unfortunately, even employees who use the greatest care when operating the kinds of dangerous equipment used in these industries could end up sustaining serious injuries, in which case, the victim should strongly consider speaking with a lawyer.
Common Equipment-Related Accidents
A variety of occupations require the use of heavy equipment, sometimes on a daily basis, the most common of which include:
- Motor vehicles;
- Combines, tractors, and other farming equipment;
- Forklifts, cranes, and loaders;
- Bulldozers, backhoes, and excavators;
- Power tools;
- Industrial machinery; and
- Conveyor belts.
The use of this kind of heavy machinery and equipment always poses a risk of injury to employees who use them on a regular basis. For instance, being caught in between or compressed by heavy equipment consistently tops the list of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the U.S. In some cases, the injuries of accident victims can be attributed instead to objects falling from forklifts, cranes, and loaders, while others are the result of malfunctioning or defective power tools, such as drills and nail guns.
Equipment Accident Injuries
Whatever the cause, accidents involving heavy machinery and equipment can cause serious injuries, including:
- Burns;
- Lacerations and amputation;
- Fractures and crushed bones;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Internal injuries;
- Hearing or vision loss; and
- Traumatic brain injury.
Unfortunately, these types of injuries are not only seriously debilitating after they are initially sustained, but typically leave employees suffering from permanent disability for the rest of their lives. Hearing and vision loss resulting from the use of heavy equipment can, for instance, be permanent, in which case, a victim may be unable to continue working at all. Similarly, the results of amputation, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage are often permanent, leaving injured parties to struggle with chronic pain and other complications for years to come, some of which require ongoing medical care.
Workers’ Compensation for Permanent Disability
Fortunately, in addition to recovering compensation for temporary injuries and wage loss, Florida workers who are injured in equipment accidents could be eligible for benefits compensating them for total and permanent disability, including monetary compensation, assistance with medical bills, and help paying for ongoing nursing care. However, it is not uncommon for insurers to attempt to avoid responsibility for paying these costs by offering low settlements or denying a claim outright. In these cases, injured employees should be sure to speak with an attorney who can ensure that any settlement arrangements are fair and that claims are not unfairly denied.
Were You Injured in a Fort Lauderdale Equipment Accident?
Accidents involving heavy machinery or equipment are some of the most serious in which a person can be involved. Please call 954-677-0155 today to set up a free case review with one of the experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation equipment accident lawyers at The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. today.
