We know that accidents involving industrial equipment can have serious immediate consequences. It’s important to understand the common causes of heavy machinery accidents in Pennsylvania and who is liable. From the construction sites and warehouses to the industrial parks scattered across Pennsylvania, accidents involving heavy machinery can occur anywhere, including here in Pittsburgh.
Understanding Heavy Machinery Accidents
Heavy machinery accidents involve large vehicles and equipment such as forklifts, cranes, bulldozers, and industrial presses. Due to their size and power, this equipment requires specific operation and maintenance.
Heavy machinery accidents differ from simple slip-and-fall claims in that they typically involve complex, multi-factorial events. Mechanical and human error, as well as property conditions, can all play a role in these accidents. Liability is determined by closely examining how the equipment was being used at the time of the incident and who was responsible for its operation.
Pennsylvania law outlines two primary legal doctrines that frequently apply in heavy machinery accident cases:
- 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102 allows multiple parties to be at fault for the same incident.
- Workplace injury regulations, such as those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, help establish what qualifies as adequate employee training, equipment maintenance, and safety procedures.
Equipment Malfunctions and Mechanical Errors
Forklifts, tractors, dump trucks, conveyor chains, industrial-strength presses, and cranes are a few examples of typical heavy machinery. One major cause of injuries is cranes. According to Crane Training Universities, an examination of 249 overhead crane incidents revealed 838 OSHA infractions, resulting in 133 injuries and 133 fatal incidents.
Equipment malfunctions are a common cause of accidents with heavy machinery. Heavy machinery relies on many different mechanical parts working together. When one part fails, it can cause the equipment to malfunction.
Machine breakdowns can occur for a variety of reasons, such as brake failure, mechanical error, and lack of proper maintenance. If equipment failure caused your accident, a thorough investigation can uncover where the responsibility lies.
Improper Training
Employers have a responsibility to properly train their workers on using equipment before operating it. If you were injured in a heavy machinery accident because you did not receive adequate training, you may have a case against your employer. Not only should you be trained on how to use heavy machinery, but that training should be repeated regularly.
Unsafe Property Conditions
Slip-and-fall accidents can occur when worksite conditions are not properly maintained. Properties should be kept free of hazards that could cause someone to get hurt. Uneven ground, poor lighting, and debris can cause problems for large equipment as well.
In construction areas, uneven ground and exposed hazards can increase the risk of heavy machinery accidents. In warehouse environments, a busy facility with tight spaces can cause forklift accidents.
The owner and contractor’s responsibility to provide safe conditions on their property is not limited to trip-and-fall hazards. Any condition that contributes to an unsafe work environment could be a factor in a heavy machinery accident.
Operator Negligence
Carelessness on behalf of the operator is another frequent cause of heavy machinery accidents. Distraction, haste, fatigue, or failure to follow safety procedures can lead to mistakes with heavy equipment. Operator error can include a wide variety of situations. Misjudging clearances, operating equipment under the influence, or failure to use safety features are just a few examples.
Operator error does not mean that the operator will be completely at fault for your injuries. Other factors, like inadequate training and stressful work conditions, may have contributed to the incident.
Who May be Liable in a Heavy Machinery Accident Case
Because multiple factors can cause these accidents, there can be multiple negligent parties in a heavy machinery case. Liability will depend on the circumstances of your accident, but could include:
- Employer or contractor that failed to provide training and safety supervision
- Third-party equipment manufacturer if the equipment was defective
- Maintenance companies, if the machinery was not properly cared for
- Property owner, if there were hazardous conditions on the property
Pennsylvania law recognizes that multiple parties can be at fault for an accident. Each party’s level of fault will be determined based on its involvement. A Pennsylvania heavy machinery accident attorney can help you determine who is liable.
FAQs
What Are the Major Causes of Machine Accidents?
Machine accidents rarely happen because of just one failure. There are usually several things that contribute to an accident. This could be poor training or poor maintenance. Maybe a piece of equipment broke, or there were unsafe conditions at the worksite.
Often, it is just failing to follow safe procedures. Human error, like forgetting to follow lockout procedures, can happen when someone is tired or distracted. In fact, many accidents happen during a combination of risks.
What Is the Negligence Rule in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania operates under a modified comparative negligence rule. Comparative negligence allows fault to be apportioned between the parties to an accident. A damaged party can recover so long as they are not more negligent than the other parties. However, a damaged party’s award of compensation can be decreased by his or her percentage of fault in causing the accident.
What Are the Three Main Routes to Equipment Failures?
Failures are generally categorized into three types: design failure, manufacturing failure, and maintenance failure. Design failure means that the machine was designed improperly. Manufacturing failure means that there was some sort of problem when the machine was manufactured. Maintenance failures occur when machines are not routinely checked and/or adequately repaired.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Equipment Failure?
Equipment failure due to poor maintenance is very common. Machinery can fall apart or become unsafe when not routinely checked for damage, repaired, or serviced. Rust and wear can weaken your equipment over time, causing it to break down or worse. Prevent failures by performing maintenance to reduce accidents with heavy equipment.
Hire a Heavy Machinery Accident Lawyer with SMT Legal Today
One thing to keep in mind when thinking about hiring a lawyer is timing. Just like any other accident case, it is better to seek legal help early on. This can help preserve evidence that may not be available later on.
Heavy machinery accidents fall under state law and workplace injury regulations. An attorney can help you sort out all the little details. At SMT Legal, we understand heavy machinery accident laws and can help you. Contact us today for more information.
