Farm Accidents Claim
NOTE: Our law firm does not handle these cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Working on a farm can be dangerous. Working with any type of machinery can put a worker at risk for an accident or injury. But farm work often requires the use of large, heavy equipment that can cause serious injury or death.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, farming is one of the top ten most dangerous occupations. Farmers and farmworkers have a fatal injury rate of 24.7 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.
Were you hurt while working on a farm in or near Atlanta, Georgia? You may need compensation to pay for your medical expenses and recoup your lost wages. An Atlanta personal injury attorney can help you recover the money you need t get your life back on track.
What Are Common Types of Farm Accidents?
American farmers are hard workers. They often work long hours in the heat and rain. Moreover, the conditions on a farm can be dangerous. It is estimated that about 100 agricultural workers in the U.S. sustain a lost-work-time injury each day.
Farmers and farmworkers can suffer injuries due to defective farm buildings, tractors overturning, chemical exposure, ineffective product labels, and more. Let’s dig into some specifics.
Transportation and Equipment Injuries
Heavy machinery and large vehicles are common tools on a farm. According to data from the BLS, transportation incidents and contact with objects and equipment were the top two categories of fatal work injuries in agriculture, fishing, forestry, and hunting in 2018.
Tractor accidents were the top cause of nonfatal injuries and illnesses that year. Defective machinery can also be an issue on a farm. If a product is defective, it can cause traumatic injuries or death.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Falls, slips, and trips were the second-highest category of farm accidents that caused nonfatal injuries in 2018. However, it was the fourth most common cause of fatal farm accidents. Falls from farm structures can cause debilitating injuries, including ladders, farm equipment, haymows, barns, and grain bins.
Falling Objects
Falling objects are another cause of many farm accidents. A piece of machinery or another object may fall from a barn or other structure, causing a severe injury or death. Heavy objects striking farmworkers could result in permanent impairments or death.
Farm Animal Accidents
Farms that raise animals must be careful to protect workers from animal attacks. Even a docile animal can turn on a worker without warning. Cattle, horses, pigs, and other farm animals can cause serious injuries.
Farm Pesticides and Herbicides
Many farms use pesticides and herbicides to control insects and weeds. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals contain known carcinogens or have been linked with a higher risk of developing certain disorders and diseases.
Additionally, these chemicals can result in fires, toxic gas exposure, and explosions if they are not stored and used correctly.
Suffocation Accidents
Farmworkers can be trapped in silos or grain bins. If they are unable to get out quickly, they could suffocate. In addition, a lack of oxygen for a short period of exposure to toxic gases built up in the containers could cause permanent brain damage.
Improper Training and Safety Procedures
Failing to train farmworkers properly endangers everyone on the farm. If a worker does not know how to use farm equipment correctly, he could hurt himself and others. Specialized training may be required to use specific chemicals on the farm.
Every farm should have safety protocols in place to reduce and prevent accidents. Safety protocols should include ongoing training and the use of safety equipment.
Other Causes of Farm Accidents
In addition to the above, other causes of farm accidents include:
- Improperly installed electrical power
- Defective equipment and farm machinery
- Failure to maintain and repair farm equipment
- Removal of safety devices
- Inadequately lit and guarded walkways
- Improper handling of livestock
- Using faulty or broken equipment
- Failing to ensure equipment and supplies have adequate warning labels and instructions for use
- Poor building design and structure
There are many opportunities for a farm accident to occur. Unfortunately, many farm accidents are preventable and avoidable with care and proper training.
What Are Injuries Sustained by Farm Workers?
The injuries caused by farm accidents range from mild strains and sprains to death.
Common injuries caused by farm accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain damage
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Severe burns
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Wrongful deaths
Immediate medical attention may be required for many farm injuries.
Who is Liable for the Damages Caused by a Farm Accident in Georgia?
A farm accident can be devastating for everyone involved, especially the worker and the worker’s family. Workers’ compensation may cover some farm accident injuries. If so, the farmworker may have no other recourse than to file a workers’ compensation claim.
However, if another party was negligent in causing your injury, you might be able to hold that party liable for your damages.
Damages in a farm accident case might include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Cost of in-home health care or personal care
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of income, wages, and benefits
- Impairments and disabilities
- Emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Decrease in the worker’s future earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life or quality of life
It can be difficult to determine what legal course of action is best for your situation without a full investigation into the cause of your farm accident. An Atlanta farm accident attorney investigates the cause of your farm injury to identify all parties that might be liable for your damages.
Your lawyer files all claims and lawsuits necessary to protect your best interest. By doing so, your lawyer maximizes the amount of money you can receive for injuries sustained in a farm accident.
Are There Deadlines for Filing Claims Related to Farm Accidents?
Yes, the statute of limitations restricts the time you have to file negligence claims and other personal injury lawsuits. You also have a limited time to file a workers’ compensation claim. Seeking legal advice promptly can avoid losing your right to file a claim because of a missed deadline.
Contact An Atlanta Farm Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Have you or your family members been injured in a farm accident in Georgia? If so, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and damages.
