Injured Operating Construction Equipment

Without heavy machinery, most modern construction projects would not be possible. Unfortunately, heavy construction equipment can be very dangerous for workers. Even with proper training and safety equipment, workers an still end up in the hospital with equipment-related injuries. If a construction site or employer violates safety codes and cuts corners, the odds of an accident are even higher. If you or someone you love was seriously injured operating construction equipment, contact the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. We have significant experience handling construction and related injury claims and can help you recover just compensation for your injuries.

Common Types of Equipment and Injuries

The construction and manufacturing industries rely on many types of equipment, tools, and heavy machinery. Proper operation, maintenance, training and safety standards are paramount in keeping workers safe on the job. Lack of employee training, poor equipment maintenance, and unsafe operating practices can all expose workers to serious hazards. Some of the most frequent pieces of equipment involved in construction worker injuries are as follows:

• Trucks and forklifts. Highway collisions are the number one cause of construction worker deaths in the United States. Negligent operation of construction trucks and other heavy vehicles causes most of these accidents, which can cause all types of bodily injuries. Broken bones, organ damage, and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common.
• Scaffolds. Falls are the second-leading cause of construction worker death. Unsafe scaffolds are a top cause of construction site fall accidents. Poorly trained workers can result in poorly built and dangerous scaffolds. The most common fall-related injuries are spinal cord injuries and head and brain injuries.
• Cranes. Crane collapses can happen when the equipment has a defect, the company responsible for the crane doesn’t maintain it properly, or when someone operates the crane incorrectly. Crane collapses at construction sites can be fatal, instantly killing workers beneath the crane.
• Power tools. Some of the most common pieces of equipment can also be some of the most dangerous. Hand-held power tools such as drills, saws, nail guns, and welding equipment can result in traumatic amputations, lacerations, eye injuries, and other serious damages. Proper training and safety equipment can help prevent these incidents.

Equipment-related worker injuries aren’t always the construction company’s fault. Sometimes the item is inherently dangerous due to a product defect or faulty design. Defective construction equipment can lead to manufacturing or distributing company liability. Contact our attorneys today for information about your specific injuries. We can help you identify whether your employer, a product manufacturer, a coworker, and/or any other party may be liable for your damages.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claim

The Louisiana Workers’ Compensation system is an excellent tool for injured employees to receive damage recovery without needing to prove an employer’s negligence. It might be the right choice for many employees with equipment injuries, even though it may not be your only option. If a third party, such as a product manufacturer, is responsible for your incident, you could seek recovery through Workers’ Compensation and a personal injury claim.

A personal injury claim can result in payment for your medical bills,  lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, and possibly other injuries. A Workers’ Compensation claim, on the other hand, will only pay for your medical bills and two-thirds of your lost wages. If your employer caused your equipment-related injuries through their own negligence, you may want to consider filing a personal injury claim instead of accepting a Workers’ Compensation settlement. Once you say yes to workers’ comp, you permanently lose your right to file a claim against a negligent employer. However, these decisions should be made after considering the multitude of variables that are unique to your case, and you should talk to an attorney with the experience and industry knowledge to be able to point you in the direction where you want to go.

Contact John W. Redmann and his team before you agree to a workers’ compensation claim. Injuries are relatively common while operating construction equipment in Louisiana. Workers’ compensation may not be adequate compensation if your injuries are severe. Our lawyers have years of experience handling these types of accident claims. We can help you assign fault and bring your claim within all applicable deadlines. Trust us with your claim and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries. Call (504) 500-5000 today.