Defective machinery can cause devastating injuries, especially in the workplace. If you’re injured by machinery at your job, it could leave you unsure about who’s going to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages.
Workplace accidents are typically covered by workers’ compensation. But in defective equipment accidents, someone other than your employer is often responsible. You can trust Marzzacco Niven & Associates to figure out who owes you money and to fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve.
Our Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorneys have recovered tens of millions in life-changing awards for injured victims. We offer free initial consultations with no obligation to you. So contact our Harrisburg, PA law firm today—we’re here 24/7 to take your call at (717) 231-1640.
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How Our Harrisburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured By Defective Machinery
If you’ve been injured on the job, the last thing you should be worrying about is how your bills will get paid. Let the Harrisburg personal injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates handle everything to secure your workers’ comp benefits, and there aro some exemptions too.
Our experienced legal team can:
- Conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation into your accident
- Determine whether any party other than your employer is responsible for your injuries (which may provide additional sources of compensation)
- Ensure your workers’ compensation claim is filed accurately and on time
- Monitor the status of your claim and fight back against denials or refusal to cover valid expenses
- Represent you in all proceedings related to your workers’ comp claim
- File and litigate a third-party lawsuit if necessary
We have a long history of standing up for workers’ rights. We can handle every aspect of your case from beginning to end. Two of our lawyers are Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialists in Harrisburg, PA. We are well established in Central Pennsylvania and have helped hundreds of clients get the compensation they deserve after a workplace injury.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
What Are Defective Machinery Accidents?
A defective machinery accident occurs when a piece of equipment causes harm due to malfunctions. In one way or another, most people use some type of machinery or equipment in the workplace. Whether you’re working in an office or on a construction crew, you could be injured if a piece of equipment or machine malfunctions or is defective.
What Are Common Defective Machinery Accidents?
Machines, equipment, or tools can be defective in any number of ways. A defective internal part could overheat and cause a fire, putting a whole building full of people at risk. A malfunction of an automatic shutoff function on a power tool could be deadly.
Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys regularly represent clients injured in defective machinery accidents involving:
- Cranes
- Excavators
- Forklifts
- Backhoes
- Compactors
- Bulldozers
- Dump trucks
- Front-end Loaders
- Power saws
- Lawnmowers
- Industrial kitchens
- Conveyor belts
- Welding machines
- Nail guns
- Chainsaws
- Airbags
- Tires
- Medical devices
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Electrical components
- Exhaust fansSmoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Food processing equipment
Pinpointing the cause of the accident caused by defective machinery is the key to holding the appropriate party financially accountable. These cases often involve extensive research and investigation.
What Injuries Are Caused By Defective Machinery?
Just like any traumatic accident, the nature of the injuries caused by defective machinery can vary widely.
Some common injuries resulting from defective machinery include:
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Electrocution
- Burns
- Degloving injuries
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a family member
- And more
If you’re injured on the job, be sure to report the accident immediately, seek medical attention from an approved medical provider, and follow all medical instructions and advice.
Who Pays for My Defective Machinery Injuries?
Defective machinery accidents can be complex. If your accident happens on the job, there could be more than one party responsible for paying for your injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Your employer’s workers’ compensation policy should cover your medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages if you were injured on the job. It’s important to note that workers’ comp does not cover any damages for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Workers’ comp is usually the only source of money for employees injured on the job — unless they are eligible to file a third-party lawsuit.
Third-Party Lawsuit
If you were injured by defective machinery, you could possibly be eligible for money from workers’ comp and a product liability lawsuit. In that case, any party responsible for causing the defect in the machine or equipment could potentially be held liable for your injuries.
You would pursue compensation in a third-party lawsuit, not from your employer. In that case, you could seek additional money to cover the full amount of your lost wages and for pain and suffering.
The exact party responsible for paying your damages in a lawsuit will vary in each case, but it could involve:
- Product manufacturer
- Distributor
- Third-party vendor
- Engineers
It’s best to seek legal advice from a reputable workers’ compensation lawyer if you’ve been injured by defective machinery. These cases often require the use of experts to determine the cause of the injuries and to prove the extent of your damages.
What Causes Defective Machinery Accidents?
Most defective products involve one of the following:
Design Flaw
The machine that injured you could have been dangerous by design. Maybe it never should have been approved for use at all. Maybe the weight isn’t distributed properly, and it tips over with normal use. Or maybe it’s missing a safety guard.
Manufacturing Defect
Once under production, the equipment should be made according to specifications. If the manufacturer failed to follow the design, failed to implement quality control standards, or was otherwise negligent in making the equipment, they could be held responsible for your injuries.
Marketing Defect/Failure to Warn
We’ve all become accustomed to the lengthy safety warnings that come with most consumer products. While some may seem excessive, they exist for a reason. A manufacturer should anticipate reasonable uses and the potential hazards of its products. This is true whether the product is a piece of industrial equipment or a household appliance.
If you were injured because the proper warnings weren’t anticipated or communicated, then the manufacturer or distributor could possibly be held financially responsible.
Product liability claims can be extremely complicated, especially when they involve workplace accidents. Since our founding, Marzzacco Niven & Associates has been fighting for the rights of injured workers. Our Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorneys have more than 120 years of combined legal experience. You can rely on us to fight for every dollar you deserve and to hold every liable party accountable.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Workers Compensation Law Firm in Harrisburg
If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to defective machinery in Pennsylvania, Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help. Our Harrisburg workers’ comp lawyers have decades of experience with these claims and complex personal injury cases.
Call our Harrisburg law office today to schedule your free consultation or click here if you have more questions.