If you get hurt by a piece of machinery, then the company that made it might be liable for your injuries. What happens if your machinery accident happened at work though? Can that complicate matters? It can, but a San Antonio, Texas work injury lawyer can help you sort through the details of your case and pursue the compensation that you deserve.
What Problems Can Lead to a Machinery Accident?
No matter how a machinery accident occurs, such incidents can cause serious injuries and prevent someone from working for a significant amount of time. Some common safety issues include:
- Lack of employee training
- A machine made with lackluster materials
- Insufficient directions, labels, or warnings
- Lack of safety guards or shields
- Defective wiring or power
- A lack of maintenance
- An employer who ignores a worker’s safety concerns
- An employer who does not distribute the proper protective equipment
Can I Sue the Manufacturer of a Machine After a Machinery Accident?
Now if your machinery accident happened due to a defect with the machine, then you may have a case against the company that made the equipment. These are called product liability cases and they are usually pursued for one of three reasons:
Design defect: The problem with this product stretches back all the way to the initial design phase. Something in its design has made the machinery unsafe.
Manufacturing defect: This means that the design is fine, but something happened in the manufacturing process of this particular product that made it unsafe.
Marketing defect: The product could have been safely used, but the manufacturer did not provide the proper instructions or warnings. This lack of education contributed to the machinery accident.
Should I Get Workers’ Comp or File a Lawsuit?
You may be able to seek out compensation in multiple ways. If you were hurt at work, you can apply for workers’ compensation no matter who was at fault for the machinery accident. You just have to show that the injury happened at work. If your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, that could complicate matters. Our personal injury attorneys can advise you on what to do next though.
If the accident happened due to faulty machinery, you can also sue the manufacturer. This does not interfere with any workers’ compensation claim. You can receive money from your workplace’s insurer even as you are suing an equipment manufacturer for damages.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt by a piece of machinery, our personal injury attorneys may be able to help. Whether this was a work injury or another kind of machinery accident, contact Sahaid Legal Group and ask to schedule a free consultation. There is no obligation, so take the time to learn more about your legal options and how we can help you hold negligent parties accountable.
