Jobsite heavy equipment failures can be one of the most frightening experiences an employee can experience while on the job. When heavy equipment fails, it puts lives at risk and creates an unsafe work environment. Companies have a responsibility to put safety measures in place to prevent heavy equipment accident issues and protect employees. Whenever an accident does happen on the job, it is important to speak with a Myrtle Beach work injury lawyer right away. A good attorney can effectively prove liability and workplace injury cases and get clients the compensation that they are due.
The Most Common Types of Accidents Involving Heavy Equipment
The most common types of heavy equipment accident situations include:
- Falls
- Burns
- Struck-By-Accidents
- Amputation
- Spinal cord/neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Caught between/crushing accidents
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Crush injuries
- Electrocutions
- Disfigurement
- Fatal injuries
The Common Types of Heavy Equipment Involved in Accidents
The four most common types of heavy equipment involved in accidents are as follows:
Cranes – Cranes rank as the leading type of heavy equipment involved in accidents on the job each year. These pieces of equipment represent a danger to both the workers on a construction site and pedestrians who are walking in the area. When a crane is not correctly balanced, it can end up falling over or collapsing. People can also get hit by swinging cranes. When a crane fails, it can lead to collapse and its load can end up falling to the ground.
Bulldozers – A second type of heavy construction equipment that is often involved in workplace accidents is bulldozers. They can tip over when moved on uneven terrain and workers can get trapped inside. Workers can also end up getting crushed when bulldozers roll over.
Dump Trucks – Dump trucks are often commonly involved in construction equipment accidents. This often happens when they are traveling to and from the construction site where they are being used. Accidents can also happen when dump trucks are being used on-site. These pieces of equipment are also commonly involved in back-over accidents.
Scaffolding/Ladders – Scaffolding and ladders are frequent sources of construction site accidents. This could be due to an improperly balanced ladder. It can also be the result of protocols being insufficient. Sometimes, accidents are the result of a ladder being improperly manufactured with defects that can lead to collapse. Scaffolding can also be improperly designed/constructed. This can result in issues such as collapse. When scaffolding collapsed, it can cause those on it to fall from heights. It can also land on those who are standing nearby.
The Common Causes of Heavy Equipment Accidents
We will now take a look at the most common causes of construction equipment accidents that occur on work sites. These accidents can be caused by various types of mistakes and malfunctions. They include:
- Slips and falls when climbing onto/getting off of heavy equipment
- Failing to check blind spots before backing heavy equipment up
- Getting caught in machinery and dragged
- Getting crushed by collapsing machines or structures
- Defective brakes and other key components
- Poor training and supervision
- Inadequate maintenance efforts
The Common Types of Injuries Caused By Heavy Equipment
There are a number of injuries that can result from a heavy equipment accident. In the majority of cases, construction workers are eligible to receive worker’s compensation benefits when they are involved in an on-the-job accident. The common types of injuries that are caused by heavy equipment include ones sustained to the head, neck and spinal cord. They also include broken bones, cuts, lacerations, electrical burns, concussions, severed limbs and death.
In some U.S. states, there is a no-fault system for worker’s compensation. It pays benefits to workers injured on the job until they have had time to sufficiently heal. An employee who has suffered an on-the-job injury does not have to prove that it was the result of someone else’s negligence. The employee only has to demonstrate that they sustained a construction injury and that it happened within the scope of their employment.
It is a requirement for the majority of employers and general contractors to carry worker’s compensation insurance. This is for the purpose of paying out on any heavy equipment injury claims made by employees that are injured on the work site. The compensation is provided so that employees can cover costs that include:
- Hospitalization expenses
- Lost wages due to time off of work
- Medical bills
- Emergency room costs
Contact Our Myrtle Beach Heavy Equipment Accident Lawyers Today
Have you recently been injured in the Myrtle Beach area as a result of a heavy equipment accident that occurred at your place of work? If the answer is yes, it is important that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Construction equipment accidents can lead to a variety of injuries that dramatically affect your quality of life. A qualified heavy equipment accident lawyer can help you to present your case so that you get the maximum amount of financial compensation that you are due.
If you have been injured as a result of a heavy equipment accident, it is time to speak with our experienced Myrtle Beach falling equipment lawyer here at Jebaily Law Firm. We have years of experience helping clients to get the compensation that they deserve in personal injury/workers’ compensation claims. Our legal professionals understand that you are going through a difficult time as a result of sustaining injuries because of a construction equipment accident. The good news is the fact that help is available. You can schedule your consultation regarding your case by giving us a call today or sending a message.