A serious machinery accident can change your life in an instant. One moment you are performing your regular duties, and the next, you are facing a life-altering injury caused by malfunctioning or unsafe equipment. These incidents, often referred to as machinery accidents, are a leading cause of severe trauma in Texas workplaces. For workers in Dallas-Fort Worth, the aftermath of such an event can be overwhelming, filled with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future.
If you were hurt while on the job, you have rights. Texas law allows employees of non-subscriber companies to seek justice directly from their employers. Warren Armstrong, a dedicated Texas machine accident lawyer, focuses on representing injured workers in these complex claims. He understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll a machinery accident takes and is committed to helping you navigate the legal path toward maximum compensation.
Common Causes of Machinery Accidents in the Workplace
Industrial equipment and machinery are essential to many jobs, but they also present significant dangers. Machinery accidents rarely happen without a reason. They are typically the result of preventable hazards, negligence, or outright safety failures. Understanding the root causes is the first step in identifying who may be liable for your injuries.
- Lack of machine guards. Many machines have moving parts that must be shielded to prevent worker contact. When employers remove or fail to install these guards, workers are left exposed to rotating parts, pinch points, and flying debris.
- Inadequate safety training. Simply handing someone the keys to a forklift or putting them on a production line without comprehensive safety training is a recipe for disaster. Workers need to understand not just how to operate the machine, but also its potential hazards.
- Defective equipment design or manufacturing. Sometimes, the machine itself is the problem. A design flaw or a manufacturing error can make a piece of equipment unreasonably dangerous even when used as intended.
- Improper lockout/tagout procedures. During maintenance or cleaning, machines must be properly shut down and de-energized. When companies fail to enforce lockout/tagout protocols, workers servicing the equipment can be caught off-guard by a sudden start-up, leading to devastating injuries.
- Poor equipment maintenance. Heavy machinery requires regular maintenance to operate safely. Worn belts, frayed cables, faulty hydraulics, and other neglected issues can cause catastrophic equipment failure while in use.
- Communication failures on site. In busy environments like warehouses or construction sites, a lack of communication between machine operators and ground workers can lead to workers being pinned or struck by moving equipment.
Severe Consequences of Workplace Machine Injuries
The forces involved in machinery accidents are immense, often resulting in injuries that require extensive medical treatment and lead to permanent disability. Because Texas leads the nation in severe workplace injuries, it is critical to understand the life-altering consequences these events can cause.
Common Types of Injuries
- Amputations and crush injuries. Machinery with heavy moving parts can easily crush bones or sever fingers, hands, and limbs. These injuries are among the most common severe outcomes in Texas industrial settings .
- Lacerations and disfigurement. High-speed equipment can cause deep cuts, severe bleeding, and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A worker thrown from a forklift or struck by a swinging crane cable can suffer a TBI, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes.
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis. Falls from equipment or being pinned between a vehicle and a structure can fracture the spine, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
- Orthopedic injuries. Broken bones, dislocated joints, and torn ligaments are frequent outcomes that may require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Hearing loss and vision damage. Proximity to loud machinery or flying debris can cause permanent sensory damage.
- Burn injuries. Contact with hot surfaces, friction, or electrical malfunctions in machinery can cause severe burns.
Understanding Your Legal Rights as a Texas Worker
In Texas, the legal landscape for injured workers is unique. The law states that private employers are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Those who choose not to are known as "non-subscribers" . If you were hurt while working for a non-subscriber, you are not limited to a traditional workers' comp claim. Instead, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer.
When an employer opts out of the workers' compensation system, they lose key legal defenses. They cannot claim you were responsible for your own injuries (contributory negligence), that you knew the risks of the job (assumption of the risk), or that a co-worker was at fault (the fellow servant rule) . This significantly strengthens an injured worker’s ability to recover damages. Warren Armstrong focuses specifically on these types of claims, helping workers in Dallas-Fort Worth hold non-subscriber employers accountable for failing to provide a safe workplace.
Beyond the employer, third parties such as the machine manufacturer, a parts supplier, or a maintenance contractor may also share liability if a defective product or negligent service contributed to the accident .
Steps to Take Immediately After a Machinery Accident
What you do in the moments, hours, and days following your injury can have a profound impact on your health and your legal claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Your health is the priority. Go to the emergency room or see a doctor right away. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or TBIs, may not be immediately apparent.
- Report the accident. Notify your supervisor or manager about the incident as soon as possible. Ask for the report to be documented in writing.
- Document the scene. If you are able, take photographs and videos of the machinery, the surrounding area, your injuries, and any missing safety guards. This evidence can disappear quickly.
- Preserve the evidence. Do not allow the company to immediately repair or clean the machinery. The equipment itself is a critical piece of evidence that an expert may need to examine.
- Gather witness information. Collect names and contact information from anyone who saw the accident happen.
- Do not give a recorded statement. Insurance companies may contact you quickly to get a statement. It is advisable to speak with an attorney before providing any formal account of the incident.
- Contact a Texas machinery accident lawyer. Consulting with an experienced attorney who understands non-subscriber law can help you understand your options and protect your rights from the start.
How Armstrong Personal Injury Law Can Help
Navigating a claim involving unsafe equipment is complex. Warren Armstrong brings a focused and thorough approach to every case, treating clients with the respect and compassion they deserve during a difficult time. Hiring the right attorney can help you with:
- A thorough investigation
- Expert collaboration
- Determining liability
- Calculating full damages
- Skilled negotiation and litigation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a machinery accident in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you do not have to face the legal system alone.