Agriculture is vital to America but agricultural injuries still occur. Without the hard work and dedication of the agricultural community, this country could not thrive as the world’s superpower. Farming feeds our country and serves as the backbone of the American economy. Because of our strong food production, our nation is able to continue growing.
Farming is one of the most satisfying occupations. It’s also hard work. In today’s world, farming requires the operation of big farm equipment. This equipment allows for huge, efficient production, but it is also dangerous. Tractors, combines, hay balers, corn pickers, and other heavy duty machinery can cause devastating injuries. Unfortunately, these injuries sometimes lead to severe disability or death.
Often, these tragic situations occur because of product defects, such as poor design, malfunctioning equipment, and improper manufacturer warnings. People get hurt by farm equipment when it is designed, constructed, or marketed improperly. Farm workers injured because of farm equipment problems and manufacturer’s irresponsibility are entitled to compensation.
You’ve worked hard to provide for America. If you or a family member have been hurt by farming equipment, you and your family deserve compensation. Contact our law office to discuss your options.
Agricultural accident law
Agriculture ranks as one of the 10 most dangerous professions in America. Every year, more farm workers are killed or severely injured than police officers or firefighters. In fact, between 1992 and 2005, 7,571 farm workers died in on-the-job accidents. 37 percent of those deaths were caused by tractor accidents. Tens of thousands more suffered debilitating injuries. Each day, 243 people suffer severe injuries performing farm work.
Our law firm is proud to represent injured farm workers. The agricultural industry is made up of hard working, honest people. They take pride in their role in feeding the country and the world. When they get injured, we can help. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a farming accident, call for a free consultation.
Experience counts
Experience representing clients injured in farm accidents makes all the difference. Our attorneys have represented farm workers injured in a variety of accidents, including machine accidents, rollover accidents, and pesticide-exposure sickness. Our attorneys evaluate each claim based on Texas and federal law. They examine the fact pattern and collect any information and evidence needed to support a claim. Our attorneys also evaluate what parties are responsible for the accident.
Because we evaluate and investigate each case thoroughly, responsible parties often prefer to settle out of court rather than face a mountain of evidence presented to a judge or jury. By preparing strong cases under the law, we are able to eliminate any wiggle room that defendants often try to use to devalue or dismiss claims. Often, we can obtain settlements quickly because defendants know dragging the case out will only cost them more money.
In cases where defendants are unreasonable, our attorneys take the case all the way to conclusion. We will try the case and obtain a judgement from the court that includes all attorney’s fees and court costs. Injured farm workers deserve first-class representation, and that’s what our firm provides.
What type of compensation is available?
When farmers suffer injury caused by farming equipment, they are eligible for many forms of compensation. Usually, injuries are caused by a fault in the design or construction of machinery, or in machine instructions or warnings. In these cases, manufacturers are responsible for the injury and must pay a myriad of damages, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost income
Types of agricultural equipment accidents
We represent all types of agricultural equipment accidents. By far, tractor accidents are the most common accident type. However, there are many other farm machinery accidents that occur with great frequency, including:
Whatever the type of accident, we can help. The key is to get to the bottom of what occurred and why. Our firm will evaluate your case and perform a thorough investigation into the facts and circumstances. Many times, there are multiple causes of an accident. We will determine all the reasons the accident happened and get you the compensation you deserve.
Product defect cases
Farm machinery accidents are often caused by product defects. When most people think of product defects, they do not imagine the horrific damage that can occur with farm equipment. Instead, they imagine returning a product to a store for a refund.
We handle the serious product defect cases that result in farm equipment accidents. Our attorneys understand that when a defective farm machine hurts someone, it’s a life changing event. These cases are as serious as they come, and we work them hard to get our clients justice.
Product liability cases often occur because companies rush to release products onto the market. Though many companies try hard to make their products safe, sometimes they make mistakes. Other times, in the rush to get products on the market, meet deadlines, and make bigger profits, they cut corners. The end result is people getting hurt.
Types of product liability
Three types of product liability underpin most product defect cases: design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects. Each claim type comes with unique standards of proof. That’s why we investigate claims thoroughly. Often, more than one type of product liability claim applies.
Manufacturing defects arise from the way the product was put together, rather than the way it was designed. A corn picker, for example, may have been perfectly safe if manufactured as designed; however, during assembly, a defective component may have been used, which caused the machine to fail and injure the operator. To prove this type of case, we must demonstrate that the product was safe as designed but was placed on the market without conforming to spec.
Design defects result from an unsafe product being placed on the market because it was designed in a way that made it inherently dangerous. To prove this type of case, we must demonstrate that the product could have been designed in a safer manner while maintaining utility and usability.
Marketing defects
When products pose inherent dangers to those who use them, those dangers must be clearly explained in warnings. Often, manufactures of farm equipment fail in this duty. Whether their failure resulted from a mistake, slipshod work, or a desire to make the product seem more attractive, it violates the law.
American farmers are the lifeblood of our economy. Without our vast agricultural production, America could never be the economic powerhouse it is today. The farming industry also supports a vast industry in agricultural machinery. All too often, product defects cause farm accidents that injure agricultural workers.
The law provides rights for people injured by farm equipment. These rights allow them to recover damages when product defects cause injury. These damages are substantial. They include all medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one has been injured in a farm accident, call our experienced, tough litigation team today.
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- Pain and suffering
- Skills training
- Physical rehabilitation
- Emotional distress
- Disability benefits
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pesticide exposure
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Unsafe ladders
- Work-related auto accidents
- Work-related truck accidents
- Negligent tractor operation
- Tractor rollovers
- Harvesting equipment accidents
- Falls
- Poor visibility
- Fires
- Insufficient hazard communication
- Insufficient warning
- Defective equipment
- Defective tools
