Construction sites, factories, oilfields, warehouses, and other industrial
settings rely on heavy machinery for a wide range of tasks. Heavy equipment
is fairly safe when handled and maneuvered properly—however, factory
defects, equipment malfunctions, a lack of safety training, and other
issues can result in devastating accidents. If you are involved in a heavy
equipment accident while working in construction or another field, here
is what you need to know.
How Heavy Machinery Accidents Happen
To operate heavy equipment and machinery, industrial workers generally
require specific training and/or a license. If workers who are poorly
trained, unqualified, or inexperienced try to operate heavy equipment
and machinery, the risk of accidents and injuries rises.
Common types of heavy machinery include:
- Bulldozers
- Cherry pickers
- Cranes
- Dump trucks
- Excavators
- Forklifts
- Graders
- Hydraulic machinery
- Logging equipment
- Oil rig machinery
- Warehouse equipment and machinery
Some common factors involved in heavy equipment accidents include:
- Colliding with an object or another piece of equipment
- Dropped loads
- Equipment defects or malfunctions
- Failure to check blind spots while operating or backing up
- Machinery entanglement
- Objects falling from forklifts and other equipment
- Pinning workers between the equipment and stationary objects
What Should You Do After an Accident?
Take the following steps as quickly as you can after your accident:
- Seek medical attention
- Diligently follow your doctor’s orders (not only will this keep you
healthy, but it will also protect your claim)
- Report the accident to your supervisor in writing, noting in detail how,
when, and where the accident happened
-
File a
Texas workers’ compensation claim
- Contact an attorney
Accidents involving heavy equipment can cause catastrophic injuries and
a lifetime of pain and suffering. The best way to minimize the long-term
effects of your injuries is to push for just compensation. A skilled attorney
well-versed in Texas law will fight for you until you’re taken care
of for as long as you need.
If you, a coworker, or a loved one has been injured in an accident at work
involving large machinery, contact our
Fort Worth heavy equipment accident attorney today by
clicking here.