St. Louis Dangerous Machinery Lawyer

Many professions require the use of powerful equipment every day. Additionally, you may be using these tools while improving your home or working on recreational vehicles. Those of us using such machines expect them to be built extremely well, and that our employers and – will keep them in safe, running order. However, there are many thousands of machinery accidents in Missouri every year, sometimes leaving people to deal with serious, life-altering harm. A machine injury can require long and expensive medical treatment, and you may not be able to return to work for a long time. The St Louis dangerous machinery attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm have helped many clients recover what they need to cope and move on from negligent parties, and we can put our negotiating and trial experience to work for you and your family.

Contact our office to speak with a one of our skilled St. Louis work injury lawyers about an injury you sustained due to working with hazardous machinery or dangerous equipment. Call The Cagle Law Firm today at (314) 276-1681 or use our online form to schedule a free, initial consultation.

How Do Serious Machine Injuries Usually Occur?

There are many different scenarios where a dangerous machine, tool, or vehicle can injure a responsible worker. Sometimes the equipment is not properly kept, or perhaps you have been hurt since you were improperly instructed on how to use the device. There are almost countless machinery hazards in the workplace and at private homes and farms, but we can usually categorize a machine injury into one of the following categories:

• The device was poorly designed or manufactured (If you believe the device was defective, be sure and do not destroy the product.)
• The instructions were misleading or incomplete
• Proper maintenance practices were not followed

Every machine and tool is different, and some are a lot more sophisticated than others. You or your co-workers may be familiar with a power tool that you’re using, but you may be in a dangerous environment and surrounded by others who may not be practicing proper safety measures. Our dangerous machine lawyers understand how to investigate complex cases, negotiate with insurance providers, and succeed in court if necessary.

Workers’ Compensation For Injuries While On The Job

If you work construction or with farm machinery, you may be using very powerful equipment every day. Missouri requires most employers, and all construction companies, to have workers’ compensation insurance available if an employee is hurt. You do not have to prove what happened or who is responsible to recover damages. You simply have to demonstrate that you were hurt on the construction job. Compensation is available for medical bills, lost wages, and future disability. It’s important to have an experienced workers’ comp lawyer who understands how damages are calculated and how to demonstrate to the insurance company all of your current and future expenses.

If you are hurt while on the job, be sure to do the following things:

• Seek medical attention immediately
• Make sure to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, and ask for a copy of their report
• Call your attorney without delay
• Do not sign anything or accept any payment without first speaking to your attorney
• Avoid discussing your accident with people other than your attorney or doctor
• Follow your doctor’s orders, and ask how your injury can affect you in the future
• Make sure that your doctor understands that your injury was caused by a work accident

Filing a Third-Party Suit

The vast majority of Missouri residents who are injured at work can take advantage of the workers’ compensation system. However, not every dangerous machine injury is on the job. Additionally, there may be a person outside of your work, who was clearly responsible for your injury even if you were at work when the accident happened. A third-party suit seeks compensation from these negligent parties, and they can be filed alongside a workers’ comp claim. These personal injury actions are similar to the lawsuit that would be filed by a person who is injured due to the recklessness of another while not at work. Therefore, your lawyer will have to show that the other party was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injury.

Many dangerous machinery claims involve suing someone, who failed to maintain the device or a manufacturer or distributor who sold defective equipment. Examples of these actions can include:

• A hydraulic lift injury occurs since the lift was not properly assembled
• A person vandalized or stole a piece of heavy machinery making it dangerous to operate
• An inspector failed to do their job and check the wear and tear of a machine
• An injury occurs due to the reckless use of a machine by a person who is unaffiliated with your employer

If you have been injured by a defective product, or by someone else’s careless use of a powerful machine, you need to contact your lawyer without delay. We know how to investigate complex machine failures, determine what went wrong, and seek expert witnesses to support your claim. We also know that it is critical that the dangerous device not be destroyed and thrown away. We have decades of experience negotiating with the insurance providers of large companies, and we are ready to take your case to court if you do not receive an adequate settlement offer.

The Cagle Law Firm Can Help You

At The Cagle Law Firm, we fully appreciate that dangerous machinery is essential to many jobs, but there is unfortunately so much that can go wrong. If you have been hurt using powerful tools at work or at home, you may need significant and costly medical help. Workers’ compensation is offered for those hurt at work, and a skilled lawyer can help make sure that you are awarded what you need for your current and future expenses. If you are seeking a product liability or third-party claim, you will need a lawyer experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and what it takes to obtain favorable results at trial.

Contact The Cagle Law Firm to speak with a dangerous machinery attorney about your injuries and how we can help in a free, no-risk initial consultation. You can call our office at (314) 276-1681 or via our online form.