New Jersey Heavy Machinery Accident Attorneys

Proudly serving all of New Jersey

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What to Do After Injuries Caused by Dangerous Machinery

Operating heavy machinery poses many risks and serious, if not fatal, injuries are common. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a heavy machinery work accident, the attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. can support you through the claims process and provide aggressive representation. If you are lawfully entitled to receive compensation, we can make sure you get it.

Construction workers often operate heavy machinery on the job. This is one of the many reasons why construction is the most dangerous industry in the United States. Heavy machinery is also used in other industries such as manufacturing, mining, farming and others. New Jersey workers who are required to operate heavy machinery are often at risk of laceration injuries, amputations, crushing injuries or even death. Even when used properly, these machines could pose a significant threat of injury or death, which makes them even more dangerous when they have defects.

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What Are the Risks of Heavy Machinery?

Machines are capable of injuring workers in a number of ways. They often have large moving parts, hot surfaces and sharp edges that are capable of crushing limbs, burning skin or amputating fingers, hands, arms and legs. To make matters worse, many employers fail to properly inspect, maintain and repair their machines. Other employers fail to properly train their employees or fail to provide adequate safeguards to prevent such tragic accidents from occurring. In other cases, the machine itself may have defects that pose safety risks to those using it.

It is important to understand that while a worker may be able to bring a product liability claim against the manufacturer of a defective machine in addition to filing for workers’ compensation, the worker may not sue their employer in addition to filing for workers’ compensation.

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Machine Safety in New Jersey

Many heavy machinery accidents are preventable through the use of safeguards. Machinery with large blades should have safeguards that can prevent serious laceration injuries. There should be warning signs around particularly dangerous devices and protective gear should be worn around machines that pose a significant risk of injury. Many accidents can also be prevented through proper training and supervision. Workers should know how to use the machinery and also how to stop it in case of an emergency.

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Nature and Extent of Injuries

Some of the most common injuries caused by heavy machinery include:

• Amputations
• Blindness
• Bone fractures
• Burns
• Crushed limbs
• Electrocutions
• Skin lacerations
• Spinal injuries
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injuries

These injuries may require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, as well as rehabilitative care, mental health and emotional support services and potentially at-home care. They may also lead to life-long disability.

A worker who suffers disabling injury in the line of their work is entitled to compensation.

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Additional Information

• Machinery Safety
• Heavy Equipment and Powered Industrial Truck Use