What if Your Work Injury Was Caused by Defective Tools or Machinery in MA?

When employees are injured at work because of defective tools or machinery, they often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Fortunately, there are legal avenues available in Massachusetts to recover compensation for such injuries.

The first option most injured workers turn to in Massachusetts for help is Worker’s Compensation. While filing for Workers’ Compensation is a good option, it has several limitations. In many cases, pursuing a lawsuit against the responsible parties will be a better option for recovering the compensation you deserve. Remember, defective machinery cases are some of the most complex, so it is vital to have legal support when deciding what route to take.

Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review with our Massachusetts work injury lawyers.

How Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Injured at Work by Defective Tools or Machinery in Massachusetts?

Luckily for injured workers in Massachusetts, there are a few options to recover compensation in the event of an accident. An arguably less stressful option is filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. While Workers’ Compensation provides important benefits, a lawsuit can help recover non-economic damages and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties for the defective machinery offers the opportunity to seek comprehensive compensation for your injuries.

File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Workers’ Compensation is a system designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries. The system operates on a no-fault basis, which means that these benefits are available to employees regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This is particularly helpful to injured workers, as it enables them to receive benefits promptly without having to go through the hassle of proving their employer’s fault in the accident.

However, the no-fault system also means that workers generally cannot sue their employer for additional damages beyond what workers’ compensation provides. While this might seem like a disadvantage, it is a trade-off for the system’s benefits.

Unfortunately, there are other limitations. Workers’ Compensation benefits will not fully compensate for all the financial losses incurred because of your injury, especially in cases of severe or long-term disabilities.

Workers’ Compensation typically does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. Instead, it primarily focuses on providing medical treatment and wage replacement to help injured workers recover and return to work as soon as possible. However, some states do offer additional benefits for permanent disabilities or for the families of workers who die as a result of their job-related injuries or illnesses.

In cases where workers are injured by defective machinery or tools, pursuing other options, like a personal injury lawsuit, will usually be the only way to recover the full range of damages you might be entitled to.

File a Lawsuit

If an accident occurs in the workplace because of faulty machinery or tools, an injured worker might have the option to file a third-party lawsuit against the manufacturer or designer. In order to do so, the worker must be able to provide evidence that demonstrates the manufacturer of the equipment in question acted negligently in its production, design, or marketing, which ultimately resulted in the worker’s injuries.

Essentially, this means that the manufacturer failed to ensure the safety of the product and, therefore, must be held accountable for any harm caused as a result. It is best to consult with our experienced Boston work injury attorneys, who can help you navigate the complex legal issues involved in such cases. Pursuing a third-party lawsuit can be a complicated process, but it might be the best option for workers who have suffered injuries because of defective equipment in the workplace.

Unlike a Workers’ Compensation claim, where the employee is generally entitled to benefits regardless of fault, your negligence will be considered when determining liability. This means that the more responsible you are for the accident that caused your injuries, the more difficult it will be to recover damages.

However, if you are only partially responsible, you can still recover damages. In such cases, the amount of damages that you can recover will be diminished in proportion to the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are found to be 40% responsible for a workplace accident, you can still recover 60% of the total damage award. But if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you will not be able to recover any compensation. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that your own actions can have a significant impact on your ability to recover damages in a personal injury case.

How Do You Prove the Machinery at Work Was Defective in Massachusetts?

Three types of product defects can cause a product liability claim. To prove your injuries were caused by a defective product, you must show one of the following defects:

Design Defects

A design defect refers to a flaw in the design of a particular product or equipment that leads to injury. For instance, if a manufacturer fails to incorporate sufficient safety features in a cutting machine used in a factory, and an employee gets hurt while operating it, the company could be held responsible for the injury because of the inadequate design of the machine.

Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects are deviations from the standard and expected production process, resulting in equipment or products that differ from the norm found on the market. These defects can take various forms, such as a broken or sharp chain link not manufactured according to established protocols.

Such a defect can pose a serious consumer risk, potentially causing injury or harm. When manufacturing defects occur, it is essential to identify and address them promptly to prevent any further harm to consumers and ensure that all products meet the necessary safety standards.

Marketing Defects

When a manufacturer fails to provide sufficient warnings or instructions regarding the potential risks associated with their product or equipment, it can result in a marketing defect. These defects can cause harm or injury to consumers who are not adequately informed of the dangers. For example, a corrosive chemical used for removing paint that is manufactured without proper instructions for safe handling can lead to injury for consumers who were unaware of the potential danger.