Work-Related Injuries from Defective Tools & Equipment in Colorado
Are you seeking compensation for a work-related injury due to faulty tools, poorly maintained machines, or other defective equipment?
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that over 2.8 million injuries and fatalities happen on the job each year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces workplace safety regulations to protect employees, and these federal laws should protect you from bad machinery and defective equipment.
But accidents happen. Worse, some employers try to take shortcuts by not properly inspecting machinery and equipment on a regular basis, resulting in a serious workplace injury.
In Colorado, workers have the right to safety in the workplace, which means that employers are obligated to check equipment and perform routine maintenance to ensure employee safety. If you know that corners were cut and there is unsafe or defective equipment on your jobsite, then it’s your responsibility to report it. If you or a loved one were injured due to defective equipment, then you may qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation for defective equipment in Colorado
Many Colorado employers check equipment and maintain tools as required, but there are always those companies that are willing to jeopardize the safety of their employees in order to cut corners. Faulty machines and tools can lead to accidents that could have been avoided with proper maintenance. It’s even more egregious if equipment was reported as faulty, yet the employer allowed its continued use, which ultimately led to a work-related injury.
In Colorado, you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits from your employer when defective equipment causes you or a loved one serious injury. In addition, you may be able to sue the manufacturer of the faulty tool or equipment in a third-party lawsuit if a defect or fault is found. It’s best to talk to a lawyer who can determine who is at fault for the faulty equipment and file a claim quickly to recoup your losses from an injury.
Types of faulty equipment in the workplace
Every industry uses a variety of tools and equipment that require routine maintenance and repairs. If you work with power tools, or around electrical equipment and heavy machinery, then it’s important to protect yourself at all times.
Here are some common examples of industrial equipment and tools that cause injuries on the job:
- Bladed tools (such as meat slicers, power saws, pneumatic nail guns and other sharp tools)
- Work vehicles (such as forklifts and dump trucks)
- Industrial equipment (such as power presses, conveyor belts and manufacturing supply equipment)
- Power tools
- Ladders and scaffolding
Common work injuries caused by defective equipment
There are serious consequences for employers when faulty equipment causes an injury. Here are some of the most common injuries associated with workplace accidents caused by faulty equipment:
- Burns (electrical, thermal, or chemical)
- Amputations
- Brain injuries
- Eye injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Degloving injuries
When you suffer a life-changing injury because of a workplace accident that could have been prevented, you should talk with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney immediately to protect yourself and get all the compensation you deserve.
Examples of defective equipment and tools
If any tools or equipment led to your injury, then you must report it in your claim. Here are a few of the defects and problems commonly covered by workers’ compensation:
- Improper maintenance or lack of maintenance
- Little to no worker training
- Broken, old or missing parts
- Design or manufacturer defects
- Incorrect or lack of instruction manuals
- Lack of safety gear
What to do with faulty equipment
If you suffer an injury, you should report it to your supervisor right away. Then, the faulty equipment should be repaired, or the equipment should be taken off the line immediately.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself, both legally and physically:
- Provide a description of the defect or problem occurring with the equipment in your accident report, and request maintenance or repairs.
- If equipment is too dangerous, take photos or video of the defective equipment.
- Wear safety gear around the equipment.
When faulty equipment causes a work-related fatality
If a loved one passed away because of a work-related injury involving faulty equipment, you’ll need to file your claim quickly to recoup financial losses and show the machine was defective. An experienced and trained lawyer can help win your workers’ compensation claim by bringing in the necessary specialists and documentation.
Have you been hurt by defective equipment or faulty tools at work? The attorneys at The Babcock Law Firm specialize in these types of workers’ compensation claims and we will fight to get you the benefits you are owed.
