Common Industrial Machinery Injuries
Industrial machinery accidents can cause devastating injuries including:
- Amputations: Loss of fingers, hands, arms, or other limbs caught in machinery
- Crush Injuries: Severe tissue and bone damage from being caught between machinery parts
- Burns: Thermal, chemical, or electrical burns from equipment malfunctions
- Eye Injuries: Flying debris, sparks, or chemical splashes
- Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to loud machinery
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Chronic conditions from repetitive machine operation
Product Liability Claims Against Manufacturers
If a defective machine caused your injury, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, even if you also receive workers' compensation. Types of product defects include:
Design Defects: The machine was inherently dangerous due to poor design choices.
Manufacturing Defects: Errors during production made a specific machine dangerous.
Failure to Warn: Inadequate safety warnings or instructions for proper use.
Product liability claims can recover full damages including pain and suffering, which workers' comp doesn't provide.
OSHA Machine Guarding Requirements
OSHA requires employers to protect workers from machinery hazards through proper guarding. Violations that commonly lead to injuries include:
- Missing or inadequate machine guards
- Bypassed safety devices
- Failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures
- Inadequate training on safe operation
- Poor maintenance leading to equipment failure
OSHA violations can serve as evidence of negligence and support third-party lawsuits against contractors, property owners, or equipment maintenance companies.
Third-Party Liability in Industrial Accidents
Beyond the equipment manufacturer, other potentially liable parties include:
- Maintenance Companies: If improper maintenance caused the accident
- Installation Companies: If improper setup created hazards
- Safety Equipment Suppliers: If defective safety devices failed
- Property Owners: If facility conditions contributed to the accident
- Contractors/Staffing Agencies: If you were injured at a worksite other than your employer's
Compensation in Machinery Accident Cases
Victims of industrial machinery accidents may recover:
Through Workers' Compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Partial wage replacement
- Permanent disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
Through Third-Party Lawsuits:
- Full lost wages (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement compensation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence