Arkansas Heavy Equipment Accident Lawyer
Serving Little Rock, Conway, Fayetteville & Hot Springs
In some occupations, the use of heavy machinery and large equipment is necessary to get the job done. Operating this equipment requires experience and skill, as well as extensive training. When inexperience, negligence, or carelessness occurs while operating heavy equipment, catastrophic and deadly accidents can occur. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 4,600 fatal work injuries are recorded in the United States each year. Many of these fatalities were caused by heavy equipment accidents.
A heavy equipment accident most often occurs in industrial or construction industries, due to the numerous types of heavy machinery and dangerous equipment routinely on-site.
The most common big equipment personal injury accidents include:
- Rollover accidents
- Impact from a discharged object
- Crushing by a collapsed structure
- Caught in running machinery or equipment
- Pinned between equipment or objects
- Impact by power vehicles or equipment
- Object striking workers
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our accident attorneys provide injured workers and families with aggressive legal representation after a catastrophic workplace accident. We work tirelessly for our injured clients, to help them right the wrongs that have been done to them. If you have been injured on the job by heavy equipment, you may be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases, you may even be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. Call us today for a free initial consultation and review of your case.
Causes of Heavy Equipment Accidents
There are numerous causes of heavy equipment accidents. In some cases, there may be multiple parties to blame for your accident and your injuries. On construction sites, for example, the operator of a forklift may be inexperienced and unable to correctly avoid an accident when the forklift malfunctions. In this scenario, the construction company, the forklift manufacturer, and the forklift driver may all share in the liability. Some of the most common causes of heavy equipment accidents include:
- Inadequate training
- Faulty equipment
- Operator error
- Poor maintenance
- Safety Violations
- Unsafe construction design
- Ineffective or negligent supervision
- Recklessness
Farm Equipment Accidents
Farm equipment accidents are the leading cause of injury and death on farms and in agricultural industries. Between 1992 and 2005, 7,571 farm workers died on the job and 37% were due to tractor accidents. In that same time period, 93,000 farm workers suffered injuries. Farm equipment accidents are often severe and life-threatening due to their sheer size and weight. Heavy gears, motors, and rotating blades add an additional layer of danger when workers are present.
Types of Farm Equipment
- Tractors
- Hay balers
- Grain augers
- Skid steer loaders
- Corn pickers
- Combines
- Brush hog mowers
- Backhoe
- Plows
- Seed drills
- Front end loader
- Cultivator
- Harrows
Lawn Equipment Accidents
Lawn accidents can be due to lawn equipment malfunctioning, inexperience, or inattention and they can cause a variety of serious and sometimes fatal accidents, especially for young children. If another person’s negligence or a manufacturing defect caused your lawn equipment accident, you have a right to file a claim.
Types of Lawn Equipment
- Riding lawn mowers
- Push or self-propelled lawn mowers
- Stand on Surfer mowers
- Weed trimmers
- Edger’s
Construction Equipment Accidents
Working in the construction industry is dangerous because construction workers can be at-risk for sustaining serious and often fatal injuries. Construction equipment is large and heavy and requires a skilled and experienced operator to avoid serious accidents.
To minimize serious accidents, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates the maintenance work that must be performed on this equipment, the safeguards that must be put into place to protect workers, and the type of protective gear that must be provided on-site. Unfortunately, construction accidents still occur at an alarming rate, due to inexperience, improper maintenance, equipment defects, and OSHA violations.
Types of Construction Equipment
- Forklift
- Backhoe
- Crane
- Skid steer
- Scissor lift
- Bulldozers
- Front end loaders
- Asphalt pavers
- Milling machines
- Compactors
- Excavators
- Harvesters
- Trailers & tankers
- Hydraulic machinery
- Oil rig machinery
Why Hire an Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a heavy equipment accident, your injuries may be severe. While you recover, insurance companies will be working around the clock to minimize their liabilities. If you’ve been injured at work, you may not know if you can file a lawsuit or if you need to go through workers’ compensation channels. You need an experienced heavy equipment lawyer on your side to fight for you. Your lawyer can determine the proper course of legal action and make sure you receive all of the benefits and compensation you are entitled to. In some cases, you may be able to collect workers’ compensation benefits, as well as file a third-party lawsuit. Without an attorney on your side, you may not receive the money you need to put your life back together again after a catastrophic heavy equipment accident.
Why Choose Us
For decades, the skilled and aggressive legal team at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton have successfully advocated for heavy equipment accident victims throughout Arkansas. Our lawyers have won multi-million-dollar jury verdicts and settlements for clients who were injured in catastrophic accidents, like heavy equipment accidents. We know how to pursue workers’ compensation claims, as well as uncover potential third-party lawsuit claims for our clients. Our primary goal is to maximize the compensation for our clients, so they can focus on their recovery. With four offices, 25+ attorneys, and more than 100 legal staff, we will be with you every step of the way.
Case Results
See More Case ResultsHeavy Equipment Accident FAQ
- Who may be liable for my farm accident injury?
On a farm, there may be multiple parties to blame for your accident and your injury. If your employer was to blame, your claim may be handled by worker’s compensation. Yet, there may be third parties who are also to blame, including:- Farm equipment manufacturers
- Construction firms that build farm structures
- Sub-contractors
- Property owners
- Animal owners
- If I’m not an American Citizen, can I still collect compensation?
Yes, even if you are not an American citizen, you are able to collect benefits if you are injured in a farm accident. Contact Rainwater, Holt & Sexton immediately to begin building your case. - Will I lose my job if I file a claim?
Federal and state law prohibits an employer from firing or retaliating against an employee who files a workers’ compensation claim or a lawsuit. If you believe you have been a victim of retaliation, you should call our law firm immediately. - What kind of compensation can I receive in a heavy equipment accident? In general, you are allowed to receive compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and other non-economic expenses if you file a lawsuit. If you file a workers’ compensation claim, however, you are eligible to receive benefits for medical expenses and a portion of your lost income. You may also be eligible for partial or permanent disability benefits. However, workers’ compensation settlements are capped at a lower level than what workers can receive if they simultaneously pursue a personal injury or third-party injury claim.
- Do I have a third-party claim?
If your accident was caused by the negligence of a third party, on your construction site or farm, you may be able to file a third-party claim. If your accident was caused by equipment malfunction or defect, then you would also be eligible to file a third-party lawsuit. Third-party claims can be confusing and complicated. Identifying all liable parties is difficult without the help of an experienced attorney.
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