Defective Equipment & Machinery
When construction accidents happen, it may not be your fault. In many cases, workers are unaware that they were using defective or unsafe equipment. In these cases, injured workers are often entitled to more than just the workers’ compensation benefits.
Some equipment and tools prone to defective designs and recalls include:
- Cranes – when cranes are not maintained or a piece of equipment is faulty, these large structures can get blown over by the wind and cause serious injuries to workers and bystanders.
- Forklifts – each forklift operator must be well-trained to use this piece of machinery. Training individuals is the responsibility of the company or individual that owns the forklift.
- Saws – missing or defective saw guards frequently cause cuts and amputations. Workers are urged to report any unsafe saws to their supervisors.
- Power tools – any type of power tool can be dangerous in the hands of an untrained worker. Additionally, these tools can cause serious injury if they break or malfunction.
- Conveyors – a worker’s clothing can easily get caught in a conveyor, and these machines have been known causes of several construction accidents in California.
At The Barnes Firm, our scaffold accident attorneys have helped workers get the best results possible from their injury claims, and in some cases, our team has helped improve safety at construction areas around the country.
Falling Objects
Falling objects are one of the most dangerous hazards at a work site. Unfortunately, these are difficult to predict — or prepare for. Even a small tool dropped from a short height can cause debilitating brain injuries. Other, heavier objects can cause catastrophic injuries, and even wrongful death.
Ceiling collapses or loose tiles can also cause life-changing injuries. The Barnes Firm helped with one case where a foam tile caused a person to suffer serious spinal injuries. In other cases, a collapsing roof or ceiling can result in wrongful death.