With farmlands and oil fields dotting the lands of North Dakota, it is no wonder that heavy machinery plays a big role in the continued success of our great state. Farmers, oil workers, and countless others in North Dakota industries depend on machinery to see their businesses succeed. However, this machinery comes with hazards and potential dangers. Unfortunately, machinery can also be rendered dangerous by being defective, and defective machinery places workers at great risk of serious and even fatal injury.
Because of mounting medical bills and lost wages, those harmed by defective machinery can be severely impacted by their injuries. If you have been injured by defective machinery, our team at Pringle & Herigstad is here to fight for you. We want you to be properly compensated for your injuries. Let our farm accident attorneys take on the legal fight while you focus on your recovery after a life-changing accident.
Types of Machinery
Some of the more prominent North Dakota industries, including farming, involve the use of large-scale machines. However, most of these machines can cause serious injuries when defective. Common equipment whose defects cause accidents and injuries include:
- Augers
- Balers
- Combines
- Conveyor belts
- Drills
- Harvesters
- Pickers
- Shredders
- Tractors
- Trucks
The Dangers of Defective Farm Machinery
Technological advancements have made a significant impact on many industries, and the farming industry is no exception. Farm machinery can be a farmer’s biggest asset, but it can also be their biggest liability. Oversized, heavy farm equipment may make for more efficient and effective farming, but it can also cause devastating injuries when not properly operated, maintained defective, or malfunctions.
Tragic accidents caused by farm machinery defects can happen at any time. In these situations, there may be a number of liable parties, including the machinery’s manufacturer or designer. The defect, however, may even be the result of the negligence of multiple parties across the supply chain. Our job is to discover whose negligence was a direct and proximate cause of the accident that led to your injuries. We find them and then we work to hold them accountable for the harm you suffered.
Defective Machinery Injuries
When defective machinery strikes, workers can be critically injured. Some of the more common defective machinery injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Permanent partial or total paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head trauma
- Amputation
Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by Defective Machinery?
As it is with any personal injury case, liability is a fact-specific analysis that requires a close look at the circumstances of the case at hand. Often, a manufacturing company can be held liable for those damages caused by a defective piece of machinery. However, it is also not uncommon for other parties to be potentially liable, in whole or in part.
Employers may carry some of the liability. For instance, if it was not the defect in the machine in and of itself that caused the accident, but improper training of an employee as well, the employer of the injured employee may be held liable. If the machine was dangerous, but the product manufacturers gave adequate warning of these dangers, the manufacturing company may not be held liable for the damages.
As you can see, determining liability is both complex and involved. It takes a knowledgeable and experienced attorney to be able to root out all possible liable parties. Finding those that can be held responsible for the damages sustained due to defective machinery is critical as the liable parties will be held responsible for compensating the injury victims.
Contact Our North Dakota Defective Machinery Attorney
Machinery can cause tragic injuries under a number of circumstances. One such circumstance is when the machinery is dangerously defective. At Pringle & Herigstad, we know how important each and every case is to the clients we represent. We take our obligation to you seriously and know how much faith and trust you are placing with us.
Our team will tirelessly pursue your right to be fully and fairly compensated for the losses you have sustained as a result of a defective machine. Do not delay in contacting us for a free consultation. We will begin immediately fighting to enforce your legal rights.
