Key Takeaways
- Heavy machinery is dangerous even with comprehensive safety measures, and workers near it are at high risk of serious or fatal harm.
- Incorrect operator training and ignored safety protocols greatly increase injury risk, and equipment failures or defects can cause disasters.
- Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal injuries in transportation and material moving occupations rose 7 percent to 1,388 in the latest reported year.
- Being struck by heavy machinery is one of OSHA’s “fatal four,” with injuries including brain, spinal cord, and crush injuries and loss of limb.
- In many cases, a third-party lawsuit can pursue compensation beyond what a workers’ compensation claim could recover.
Heavy machinery is dangerous, even when the most comprehensive safety measures are in place. When an accident results in serious injury, it is imperative that legal counsel is retained as soon as possible. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in an accident involving heavy machinery, contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC today. Our Portland heavy machinery accident attorney is prepared to help guide you through the legal process and fight for compensation on your behalf.
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Why Choose Our Portland Heavy Machinery Accident Attorney?
Our attorneys take heavy machinery injury cases to fight for justice for the injured and will seek the maximum possible in compensation from all liable parties. In many cases, a third-party lawsuit can be filed to pursue compensation far above and beyond what could be recovered through a workers’ compensation claim.
- We maintain a small caseload and provide professional, personal, and undivided attention to the individuals we represent.
- We are aggressive negotiators and highly-experienced trial lawyers. Our experience allows us to take your case to trial to pursue the maximum possible compensation.
- We work on a contingency fee basis – we charge no legal fees unless our Portland injury attorney wins the case for you, with no concerns about out-of-pocket expenses.
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we help those injured by heavy machinery in a wide range of situations, including:
- Construction site accidents
- Equipment failure accidents
- Farming accidents
- Defective machinery
- Logging industry machinery
- Factory accidents
- Crane Accidents
- Oil and gas extraction accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Excavation accidents
- Mill accidents
What is Heavy Machinery?
Heavy machinery and equipment refers to heavy-duty vehicles that are specially designed for construction and earth moving operations. They are also referred to as heavy trucks, engineering equipment, construction equipment, heavy vehicles, heavy equipment, and heavy hydraulics. Various industries across Oregon and Washington use heavy machinery. Some of the types of heavy machinery used include:
- Bulldozers
- Backhoes
- Hydraulic excavators
- Dump trucks
- Logging trucks
- Wheel dozers
- Drag liners
- Asphalt pavers
- Articulated trucks
- Cold planers
- Compactors
- Feller bunchers
- Harvesters
- Loaders
- Skid Steer Loaders
- Skidders
- Backhoes
- Cranes
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
What Are The Dangers of Heavy Machinery?
Workers who are performing their duties in close proximity to heavy machinery are at high risk of serious or even fatal harm. When an equipment operator has been incorrectly trained or fails to employ the correct safety protocols, the risk of injury is greatly increased. When a piece of heavy equipment fails or is defective in some component, even with the most stringent safety protocols in place, disasters occur. The Bureau of Labor Statistics issues yearly reports of on-the-job fatalities. In the most recently reported year, fatal injuries from transportation and material moving occupations increase by 7 percent, to a staggering 1,388. The logging industry has the highest rate of fatal work injury rates in that year. A catastrophic injury lawyer in Portland can take on your case and work to secure justice for you or an injured loved one.
Common Heavy Machinery Injuries
The injuries sustained in heavy machinery accidents are often fatal or catastrophic. One of the “fatal four,” as reported by OSHA, involve a worker being “struck by” a piece of heavy machinery. The injuries sustained include, but are not limited to:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Crush injuries, internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Loss of limb
- Electrocutions
- Death
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Who is Liable for a Portland Heavy Machinery Injury?
In a heavy machinery accident, it is critical that all liable parties are identified. A full investigation into the facts of the accident must be performed. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we have immediate access to professional accident investigators to evaluate every aspect of the case, including inspecting the equipment involved in the accident, interviewing eyewitnesses, as well as medical experts to determine the cost of care, both now and in future years, and financial experts to determine the value of lost income from work and lost earning capacity. All liable parties will be identified, and a claim or lawsuit filed to recover all damages. We are extremely professional, thorough, and very willing to take a case to trial when it best serves our clients.
Contact Us Today
Contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a heavy machinery accident. We offer a free, confidential case evaluation and never charge a fee unless we win.