Were you or someone you love injured by defective machinery in St. Petersburg, Florida? If someone else is responsible, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. If you were injured in a workplace accident, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that will pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages.
In the case of defective machinery, however, there could be other sources of compensation that may cover additional damages such as pain and suffering and the full amount of your lost income. The St. Petersburg defective machinery lawyers at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers are strong advocates who will identify all potential sources of recovery and help you get the money you need.
For more than 66 years, we’ve been the St. Petersburg, FL law firm people trust to stand up tall to insurance companies and at-fault parties. We fight hard to maximize your compensation. Contact our law office today at (727) 796-8282 for your free consultation.
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How Our St. Petersburg Workers’Compensation Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured By Defective Machinery
When you’re injured by a defective machine or equipment, you need an aggressive, knowledgeable St. Petersburg, FL injury lawyer who can fight for you. That’s why Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers should be the first call after your accident.
We have 300+ years of collective legal experience and substantial resources to put behind your case. Since 1955, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in life-changing financial awards for injured victims like you.
Our top-rated legal team includes Board Certified civil trial attorneys, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates, and Super Lawyers.
When you hire us, we can:
- Launch a comprehensive investigation into your accident
- Identify all potentially liable third parties
- Interview witnesses
- Obtain records to support your claims, such as safety logs, maintenance records, photos, or videos
- Review your medical records to ensure all your injures are included in your claims
- Handle all workers’ compensation claims and negotiations with insurance companies
- Work to obtain a fair settlement that covers all of your damages
- Send an award-winning trial lawyer to fight for you in court, if necessary
You don’t have to face the aftermath of your accident alone. Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers will handle every aspect of your case from beginning to end so you can concentrate on your recovery. We offer free consultations, so call today to speak with one of our experienced St. Petersburg workplace accident lawyers.
Overview of Defective Machinery Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL
A defective machinery accident is one where someone is injured when a piece of equipment malfunctions or otherwise creates a dangerous environment. It could be due to an internal component of the equipment failing. Or, the machine may have been manufactured incorrectly which caused it not to operate properly.
Workers performing construction, manufacturing, and other industrial work often use a number of large and small machines and heavy equipment. Their safety depends on those machines operating properly.
What Are Common Defective Machinery Accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida?
A machine usually refers to any device powered by a non-manual source, such as gasoline or electricity, used to perform a specific task. It doesn’t have to be a large machine to cause significant harm.
When they malfunction, they can cause serious harm or death.
Some common machinery accidents occur from defective:
- Graders
- Forklifts
- Cranes
- Backhoes
- Excavators
- Bulldozers
- Dump trucks
- Lawnmowers
- Compactors
- Loaders
- Power saws
- Nail guns
- Boilers
- Industrial ovens
- Conveyor belts
- Welding machines
- Vehicle airbags
- Medical products
- Batteries
- Exhaust fans
- Electrical components
- Smoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Tires
- Food processing equipment
- Sewing machines
Machines can cause accidents in nearly every place of employment—even offices. For example, a defective copy machine could overheat and cause a fire.
Defective Machinery in St. Petersburg, FL Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Accidents from defective or malfunctioning equipment can cause repetitive trauma or catastrophic injuries requiring costly and painful recovery.
Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys regularly represent clients who have sustained injuries such as:
- Crush injuries
- Electrocution
- Degloving injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns due to explosions or chemical exposure
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Permanent disability
- Hearing loss
- Blindness
- Wrongful death
- And more
We have years of experience with difficult cases involving multiple parties. There’s no case too tough for us. With two Board Certified trial lawyers, we’re never afraid to take a case all the way to trial. Our goal is to get justice for you and get you every dollar you deserve.
I Was Injured by Defective Machinery in St. Petersburg, FL- Who’s Responsible?
If you’re hurt on the job by defective equipment, your employer’s workers’ compensation policy should cover your medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages. In most cases, workers’ compensation is the only remedy for employees injured on the job.
However, if you were injured by defective machinery, your case could be different. Product liability cases are often complex and involve multiple parties.
Any company or individual responsible for the defect in the machine or equipment could potentially be held financially accountable for your injuries. That means if you’re injured at work by defective machinery, you could be entitled to your workers’ compensation medical benefits, lost time benefits and additional money through a lawsuit against a party other than your employer.
Some examples of who could be liable include:
Design Company
If the machine had a fundamental design flaw that made it dangerous by its very nature, the company that designed the machine could be held liable. A defective design might result from a piece included or omitted from the machine itself that made it dangerous, such as a sharp edge or failure to include a critical cutoff sensor.
Or, there might be something in the product’s design that causes it to malfunction when used under normal, expected circumstances. Design should take into account all reasonably anticipated uses of the product. The design company should also develop safety warnings and instructions for the machine. Failure to warn of hazards could impose liability.
Manufacturing Company
Products manufactured incorrectly or without following protocols could cause harm. Manufacturers are responsible for carrying out the production of the machine from beginning to end. Maybe the design was safe, but the manufacturer failed to follow standards and turned it into an unsafe product in the manufacturing process.
Manufacturers may use subcontractors to perform different parts of the manufacturing process. The manufacturer is responsible for making sure all subcontractors meet the design specifications, meet industry standards, and follow government regulations.
Maintenance Company
Properly maintaining equipment is essential. If there was a separate vendor responsible for servicing the machinery, we’ll look closely to see if improper maintenance caused the equipment to fail. That doesn’t mean the manufacturer is off the hook, though. If the instructions didn’t include critical maintenance information, the manufacturer could still be liable.
These are just a few examples of the parties you might recover damages from in a machinery accident.
When you’re injured at work, the determination of liability can be extremely complicated. Workers’ compensation will likely be your first line of compensation. But in the case of a manufacturing defect or other flaw, there could be significant compensation available to you only by filing a third party personal injury lawsuit.
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle your case with confidence. More important, we have a track record of success—we’ve obtained over $675 million for our clients over the years.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL
If you’ve been injured by faulty equipment, let our St. Petersburg defective machinery lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve. We have a long history of winning big for our clients in Pinellas County. Call today for your free consultation or read on our FAQ page.
