Farmers play an essential role in their communities and in our local economy. Without farmers, crop workers, and others employed in the agricultural industry, California would face widespread shortages of life-sustaining food for its residents. Due to the nature of the work, farming presents many hazards, particularly in regard to the heavy equipment workers use.
Injuries and fatalities occur regularly among farmers and their employees, and defective equipment accounts for some of these tragic incidents. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), approximately 100 agricultural workers suffer a work-related injury that causes them to lose time at work each day. In 2017 alone, 416 farmers and farm-related workers died as a result of on-the-job injuries. Unfortunately, young workers also experienced the effects of these accidents. In 2014, about 4,000 youths suffered injuries as the result of farm work.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries caused by defective farm equipment in the Los Angeles area, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you seek compensation. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 to speak with us about your case.
Dangers of Defective Farm Equipment
As an indispensable tool in large farming operations, modern equipment makes growing, maintaining, and harvesting crops efficient and convenient. The size and power of farm machines present many dangers to those who use them and work around them. These injuries and fatalities often occur as a result of:
- Overturns
- Entanglement
- Runovers
- Traffic collisions
While protective components could prevent farming injuries, some farm equipment manufacturers have not yet integrated safety features that detect potentially unsafe conditions and automatically shut off the machine to prevent injuries. Some new tractors have roll-over protective structures (ROPS) installed during manufacturing, which may protect operators if they overturn, but older models typically do not.
Defective farm equipment can disrupt normal operations and lead to serious injury or even death. A Los Angeles farm equipment defect lawyer can get to know the details of your circumstances and help you determine if you have a case.
Building a Product Liability Case
While human error can contribute to farm equipment injuries, faulty equipment can cause serious disruption in a tractor’s functioning and lead to severe accidents. Equipment issues can occur when owners do not properly maintain their tractors or when the manufacturer releases the tractor onto the market with critical flaws that present a hazard to user safety.
If you believe that the manufacturer of the farm equipment on which you suffered injury did not design the equipment properly, failed to manufacture it according to safety guidelines, or did not disclose known safety hazards regarding its use, you may qualify for compensation in a products liability case.
Determining Liability
Establishing the at-fault party in a product liability case often presents a challenge, but a Los Angeles farm equipment defect lawyer can help you determine liability in your case. Parties involved in the manufacturing of the farm equipment may hold responsible for your injuries or the loss of your loved one, including:
- The manufacturer of the equipment
- The manufacturer of the parts required to assemble the equipment
- The wholesale company from which the retailer purchased your equipment
- The retail company that sold you the equipment
If one or more of these companies contributed to the faulty functioning of the farm equipment that caused your injuries, you may qualify for compensation for your losses.
Pursuing Financial Awards
The types of compensation you may qualify for depends on the circumstances of your case. Victims often seek financial recovery for their economic losses, which consist of measurable values. These may include:
- Emergency medical treatment and other related healthcare expenses
- Loss of wages and loss of future income if you cannot work or the loved one you lost provided for you and your family
- Property damage for equipment and other personal belongings lost in the accident
- Funeral and burial costs for your loved one
You may also qualify for non-economic damages, also known as psychological damages, for the trauma you experience as a result of the accident. Examples of non-economic damages include financial awards for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.
For a free legal consultation with a Farm Equipment Defect Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
How a Los Angeles Farm Equipment Defect Lawyer Can Help You
Victims of defective farm equipment accidents do not have to suffer alone. You deserve justice and fair compensation for the injuries or loss that you experienced, and an attorney can help relieve some of your burden by getting to know your circumstances, helping you build a case, and fighting for you in court.
Lawyers understand the complexities of the California legal system and have the resources to conduct investigations and gather the appropriate evidence to prove your products liability case, which may include:
- The severity of the product’s danger
- Whether or not you could have avoided the accident
- The likeliness of the hazard to occur
- Ability to eliminate the danger
- Compliance with state and federal standards and regulations regarding the manufacture and use of the equipment
Los Angeles Farm Equipment Defect Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you became the victim of a faulty farm equipment accident, you have up to two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we know that the idea of taking on this task on your own may feel overwhelming, and we believe you should have a team of advocates on your side to help you achieve your goals and get back on the road to recovery.
If you suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one in a defective farm equipment accident in the Los Angeles area, call us today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your free case evaluation.
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