Industrial machinery like that on an assembly line can pose unique dangers to workers. In a safe workplace, employers have provided proper training, personal protective equipment, and reasonably safe machines to help prevent worker injuries. If an employer or product manufacturer is negligent, however, accidents can happen.
If you have injuries because of a defective conveyor belt or punching machine, the industrial machinery accident attorneys at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. can help you seek justice. Our lawyers understand product liability law and the Texas workers’ compensation system. We can walk your family through the legal process. Start with a free consultation. Call (855) 655-HURT.
How an Attorney Can Help
Do not attempt to negotiate your conveyor belt or punching machine accident case alone. Insurance companies will most likely try to convince you to settle for far less than your injuries are actually worth. If you do not speak to an attorney, you may fall for insurance claims adjuster tactics and prematurely settle your case. Fight for fair compensation with help from a lawyer.
3 Types of Product Defects
In Texas, if a piece of equipment contains one of three types of defects, the injured party does not have to prove the manufacturer’s negligence. The product manufacturer will be strictly liable for the injuries and damages its defective product caused. The injured person will only need to show that one of the defect types existed, and that the product caused injuries.
- Design defect. A design defect means the machine has an inherent flaw in its design that makes it unreasonably dangerous for people to use. Designing a conveyor belt without a strong enough safety guard, for example, would be a defect.
- Manufacturing defect. A manufacturing defect can be any accidental error made during the manufacture of heavy machinery that makes the product unsafe for use. For example, mistakenly using faulty electrical wires could lead to an unreasonably dangerous piece of equipment.
- Marketing defect. Heavy machinery such as conveyor belts should include warning stickers, labels, and instructions to help prevent user injuries. A punching machine, for example, should have stickers warning workers not to place their limbs in between the moving pieces.
The main defect that causes conveyor belt and punching machine injuries is the lack of a proper machine guard. Equipment with moving parts should always have proper safety guards that prevent the machinery from sucking in workers’ limbs. Lack of a safety guard, or a guard that has a defect, could lead to serious worker injuries.
Types of Defective Equipment Injuries
A defective conveyor belt or punching machine could change an employee’s life forever. Machine-related accidents and injuries could be permanently maiming or disabling, causing a lifetime of medical bills and lost quality of life. The type and nature of the injury will depend on the circumstances of the accident.
- Caught-in/between injuries
- Bone crushing injuries
- Compartment syndrome
- Traumatic amputations
- Blunt force trauma
- Electrical burn injuries
- Choking or asphyxiation
- Wrongful death
Every year, hundreds of workers in the U.S. suffer traumatic injuries from defective conveyor belts and punching machines. These injuries range from severe burns on a conveyor belt’s roller to losing fingers in a punching machine crush accident. Not every worker survives his or her traumatic injuries. Although a lawsuit will not take back the tragedy that occurred, it can contribute to future financial stability in the aftermath of a serious accident.
Request a Free Case Review in Dallas/Fort Worth
Conveyor belts and punching machines do not always have to be dangerous. Negligence is the common factor most serious industrial machinery accidents share. If you believe a defective piece of equipment caused your injuries or a loved one’s job-related death, contact an attorney at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. as soon as possible. Call (855) 655-HURT or contact us online for a free case review.