When dealing with industrial work equipment, you might wonder, what is the most common injury caused by working with machines unsafely? Unfortunately, unsafe machines can lead to a variety of serious injuries, including severe cuts, burns, and amputations. If you’ve been injured by unsafe machinery at work and are unsure of what to do next, the Houston personal injury attorneys at Reich & Binstock can help.
Machinery-related injuries can leave you with expensive medical bills and time away from work. If you’ve been hurt on the job, you deserve to seek workers’ compensation benefits to help you through your recovery. A skilled Houston work injury lawyer from our team will guide you through the workers’ compensation claims process and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Call (713) 622-7271 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney today.
How Can Negligence Lead to Machine-Related Injuries?
Negligence in the workplace can lead to serious machinery-related injuries.
Several factors contribute to these accidents, including using a faulty machine, poor maintenance, and unsafe machine operation. When proper training is lacking or safety guidelines aren’t followed, workers are put at greater risk. Improper material handling, poor operation instructions, and safety flaws in personal protective equipment can also play a role.
While human error is sometimes to blame, many workplace injuries could be prevented if employers took greater care to ensure safe machine operations and properly maintained equipment.
What Are the Most Common Machinery-Related Injuries?
Unsafe machinery in the workplace can lead to devastating consequences for workers. Some of the most common unsafe machine injuries are severe cuts or laceration injuries, which can result from improper safety measures or malfunctioning equipment.
Workers injured by unsafe machines often face severe injuries that can lead to long recovery times, job changes, and even permanent disability. If you’ve been injured, filing a workers’ compensation claim can help, but it’s important to consult a work injury lawyer in Houston who can guide you through the process.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur when a worker suffers a blow to the head from falling objects or malfunctioning equipment. Traumatic brain injuries can be overwhelming for both the injured worker and their family, often requiring constant medical care.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in the workplace, a Houston traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for your ongoing medical expenses.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries are common in jobs involving heavy machinery. These serious injuries can lead to permanent disability, affecting your ability to work and live a normal life.
If you’ve experienced a severe back or spinal cord injury on the job, a Houston spinal cord injury attorney can assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care.
Accidental Amputations
Accidental amputations are one of the most traumatic types of workplace injuries. These crushing injuries can lead to the loss of body parts, severely impacting your quality of life and ability to perform at your job. An amputation attorney in Houston can help you file a claim to ensure you get the financial support you need after suffering a life-changing injury like this.
Eye Injuries
Eye injuries in the workplace are often caused by flying debris from machines or tools. Without proper safety glasses, even a small piece of debris can lead to significant damage, including partial or total vision loss. It’s important to wear the appropriate protective gear and to seek legal advice from a Houston eye injury attorney if you’ve suffered an eye injury at work.
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries in the workplace can occur when machines overheat or when safety guards are not properly installed. Burns can range from minor to life-threatening and often require extensive medical treatment. A Houston burn injury lawyer can help you pursue a claim to cover your medical bills and any lost income due to your injury.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are frequently caused by accidents involving heavy machinery. Whether it’s due to faulty work equipment or hazardous working conditions, these heavy machinery injuries can lead to long recovery times and, in some cases, permanent physical limitations. If you’ve sustained a broken bone at work, it’s important to speak with a workplace injury attorney to explore your legal options and make sure your rights are fully protected.
What Constitutes Faulty Equipment and Unsafe Machinery in Texas?
Faulty equipment and unsafe machinery usually have flaws that pose a serious risk of injury to workers. These hazards can result from a manufacturing or design defect, or improper maintenance, making the equipment dangerous to use in the workplace.
In many cases, manufacturer liability may come into play, meaning the manufacturer can be held responsible if the equipment causes harm. Understanding what makes machinery unsafe is key to preventing accidents and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Design Defects
A design defect occurs when a machine’s blueprint or design makes it unsafe to use—even if it’s assembled correctly. Poor design can lead to serious injuries, as the machine may lack necessary safety features or have an inherent flaw that makes it dangerous. In cases like this, the manufacturer can be held accountable for creating unsafe machinery.
Manufacturing Defects
Even if a machine is designed safely, issues can arise during the manufacturing process. A manufacturing defect occurs when something goes wrong while the machine is being built, making the equipment hazardous. If a machine fails to work as intended due to such defects, you may be able to hold the machine manufacturer liable for any injuries caused by the malfunction.
Lack of Maintenance
Even well-designed and properly built machines can become dangerous if they are not regularly maintained. Improper maintenance, such as neglecting to fix worn-out parts or failing to follow necessary safety protocols, can turn safe machinery into a serious hazard. When a lack of maintenance leads to an accident, the employer or those responsible for maintaining the equipment may be held accountable in a personal injury claim.
Manufacturer vs Employer Liability Texas
When workers are injured by unsafe machinery, the machine manufacturer and the employer may be held responsible, depending on the situation.
Injured workers can hold the machine manufacturer liable if the equipment has design or manufacturing defects that lead to injury.
On the other hand, injured workers may be able to hold the employer liable if the employer fails to provide proper training and safety equipment or neglects to maintain the machinery.
Determining who is at fault often requires a detailed look at how the equipment was made and used.
When Is a Manufacturer Liable for Unsafe Machinery?
A manufacturer can be held liable for machine injuries if the equipment is inherently dangerous due to design or manufacturing defects. This means that even if the machines are used safely, they still pose a risk to workers because of flaws in their construction.
When manufacturers fail to ensure their product meets safety standards, they can be held accountable for injuries caused by their faulty machines.
When Is an Employer Liable for Unsafe Machinery?
Employers are responsible for creating a safe work environment, which includes following safety protocols and ensuring workers have access to safety equipment. If an employer fails to provide proper training, gives poor operation instructions, or neglects to secure machines, they can be held liable for any injuries that result.
It’s essential for employers to ensure that machines are properly maintained and that workers are fully trained on how to use them safely.
Were You Injured by Faulty Machinery at Work in Texas?
If you were injured by faulty machinery at work, it’s important to explore your legal options. You may be able to seek legal recourse by filing a product liability claim against the manufacturer for producing unsafe equipment.
Consulting an attorney is a key step in protecting your rights and ensuring you get the support you deserve. A product liability attorney in Texas can guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.
Compensation for Injured Workers
As an injured worker, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation, which provides benefits to help cover medical expenses and lost wages while you’re unable to work.
The amount of compensation you receive often depends on your disability rating, which measures how severe your injury is and how much it affects your ability to do your job.
Receiving benefits through workers’ comp can help you financially during recovery, ensuring you’re supported while you heal.
Contact the Houston Personal Injury Attorneys at Reich & Binstock For a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured by unsafe machinery at work, the personal injury attorneys at Reich & Binstock are here to support you. With over 30 years of legal experience, our team provides comprehensive legal representation to help injured workers in Houston, TX, seek the compensation they deserve.
We understand the challenges you’re facing and are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the legal process. Let our experienced lawyers fight for your rights and ensure you receive the financial assistance you need.
Call (713) 622-7271 or contact us online to discuss your case and take the first step toward securing your future.
