Workplaces in the construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas industries can present many opportunities for worker injuries. These industries are dangerous by nature, requiring workers to operate near and around industrial machinery. Drill presses and lathes have moving parts that can easily cause debilitating personal injuries. If you or a family member suffered injuries in a drill press or lathe accident in Dallas, our attorneys can help you recognize your rights. Request a free consultation today at (855) 655-HURT.
Do You Need a Drill Press Injury Lawyer?
Operating a drill press, lathe, or other woodworking tools should not come with a high risk of suffering a life-changing injury. As a worker, you have the right to a reasonably safe workplace. Even if your job requires you to work with dangerous equipment, your employer should provide the appropriate training, safe machines, and protective gear to keep you safe. If an employer breaches these duties to you, you could have grounds for a lawsuit. Hiring a personal injury attorney can make the legal process easier for you and your family. Your lawyer can handle confusing paperwork and claim negotiations while you focus on healing.
Why Do Drill Press and Lathe Accidents Happen?
Woodworking machinery can be extremely dangerous without the appropriate guards, protective gear, and training. Sometimes a worker has everything he or she needs for safe machinery operation, but then a defect causes a harmful malfunction. Many things could go wrong to cause a drill press or lathe accident. Most have to do with negligence.
- Missing safety guards. All equipment with moving parts should have appropriate covers, guards, and shields to safeguard workers’ hands and fingers. Missing safety guards from lack of equipment maintenance could put an employee at risk.
- Lack of employee training. If your employer never properly instructed you on how to safely use a drill press or lathe, you may have grounds for a negligence claim against the company.
- Equipment defects. Many drill press and lathe accidents stem from defective machinery. Design flaws, manufacturing errors, and marketing mistakes can make woodworking tools unreasonably dangerous.
Lack of machine guards is a common cause of these accidents, but not the only possibility. Identifying who or what caused your drill press or lathe accident may take an inspection from an industrial machinery accident attorney. Our lawyers have experience handling these types of claims and can help you gather any available evidence of negligence. You may have a claim against one or more parties for your damages.
Liability for Machinery Accidents
Employers and product manufacturers are the two most common defendants in drill press and lathe accident claims. An employer may be liable if he or she failed to properly maintain the workplace or equipment, did not properly train you, or if a coworker contributed to your accident. A product manufacturer could be liable for defective or dangerous woodworking machinery.
If you believe someone else is responsible for causing your injuries, do not settle for workers’ compensation. A civil lawsuit could be more appropriate for your situation and the severity of your injuries. A lawyer from our firm can evaluate your situation for signs of negligence or product defects. Then, we can file the correct type of claim according to your unique circumstances.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
A drill press or lathe accident could cause deep lacerations, severed fingers, amputations, and permanent disabilities. Your employer, the manufacturer of the equipment, or another party could be legally responsible for paying your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. can advocate for you. We can help you pursue compensation for your significant damages. Start your case with a free initial consultation. Request yours online or call (855) 655-HURT.