Working with or around heavy machinery in Austin is a dangerous job, but it shouldn’t be made more so by someone’s failure to act with proper care. If you’ve suffered an injury due to a machine, it’s important for your health, safety and future to fully understand your legal rights. Do this by speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable injury attorney in Austin.
Austin is home to many workplaces that rely on various machines, from forklifts and cranes to conveyors and presses. While the right equipment and machinery can make a job easier, it also comes with significant potential for harming workers.
A machine injury describes any injury caused to a worker while dealing with machinery, such as crush injuries, lacerations, broken bones and amputations. The most common industries in Austin for machine injuries are construction, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and mining.
Machine-related injuries and deaths in Austin are often connected to negligence, or the failure to practice reasonable care. If an employer or site manager does not adhere to applicable machine safety regulations, for instance, this can increase the odds of a related accident.
The leading causes of machine injuries include:
The majority of severe and fatal machinery accidents in Austin are preventable. In these cases, the affected workers have the right to seek financial benefits from insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
Texas is the only state that does not make workers’ compensation mandatory for employers. However, many companies have this insurance anyway for legal protection. If your employer has workers’ comp insurance, you can file a claim to cover your medical bills, partial lost wages and other expenses without having to prove fault.
If workers’ comp is not available, you may still be able to file a claim with someone else’s insurance provider for causing or contributing to the machinery accident. This may include your employer, a coworker or contractor, or a product manufacturer. If an insurance settlement cannot be reached, you can bring your case to court in Austin by filing a lawsuit.A personal injury claim can be more complicated than a workers’ comp claim, but the benefit is that it could lead to greater financial compensation. You may be eligible for pain and suffering damages for your machine-related injury, for example, as well as your full lost wages, past and future medical bills, and disability or disfigurement.
Suffering a machine injury while at work in Austin can lead to significant losses and damages. You may suffer painful injuries, expensive medical bills, lost wages and reduced quality of life. Hiring an attorney during this difficult time can help you move forward with confidence.
FVF Law Firm can thoroughly explain your options as the victim of a machine injury in Austin. Using more than 100 years of combined legal experience, we will educate you on your rights so that you can make an informed decision to become whole again. Request a no-pressure case review in Austin today for more information.