Injuries from Defective Equipment at Work

People across Massachusetts use machinery, tools, and safety equipment every day on the job. Most of the time, they trust that equipment to work the way it’s supposed to. But when something fails — whether it’s a defective machine part, missing guard, or faulty safety feature — workers can end up seriously hurt.

These accidents can cause crushing injuries, severe burns, amputations, and other life-altering harm. Sometimes the problem is obvious. Other times, it’s something small that goes unnoticed until an accident happens.

If you were injured by defective equipment at work, workers’ compensation may cover some of your losses. In some cases, you may also have a claim against the company that made, sold, repaired, or maintained the equipment.

Because these cases can involve more than one potentially responsible party, it’s important to understand all of your legal options as early as possible.

Common types of defective equipment injuries

Workplace equipment injuries can occur in almost any industry, from construction sites to manufacturing plants to office buildings. However, there are some common scenarios that lend themselves to defective equipment injuries. A personal injury lawyer can review the specifics of each scenario to determine liability.

Machinery malfunctions

Industrial machines (e.g., presses, conveyors, forklifts) can cause serious injuries when safety guards break or controls stop working. Workers can suffer crushed limbs, fractures, or amputations, and even minor malfunctions can lead to long-term disability.

Broken power tools

Faulty saws, drills, and grinders can cause cuts, loss of fingers or hands, and eye injuries. Improperly maintained blades or missing safety guards increase the risk of serious accidents. Even small defects can result in permanent scarring or vision loss.

Faulty safety gear

Protective equipment, such as hard hats, harnesses, and respirators, that don’t function properly can expose workers to serious injury. Even a small flaw (like a cracked helmet or worn-out harness) can have life-altering consequences during a fall or on impact.

Ladder and scaffolding issues

Issues such as structural defects or improper assembly often lead to falls from heights. More often than not, these falls result in spinal damage, broken bones, or head trauma, which can require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.

Vehicle defects

Commercial vehicles, forklifts, and heavy machinery may have brake failures, steering issues, or other faults that lead to accidents. Some accidents develop gradually over time due to wear or neglected maintenance, making careful documentation of vehicle conditions critical when filing a claim.

Workers’ compensation and its limitations

If you get hurt at work in Massachusetts, your first option is normally workers’ compensation. This system pays benefits no matter who caused the accident. Benefits cover medical treatment, part of your lost pay, usually 60% of your gross average weekly wage for temporary total disability, and vocational rehabilitation in some cases if you can’t return to your old job.

Even so, workers’ compensation has its limits. It doesn’t pay for pain and suffering. The wage benefits have a maximum amount. For serious injuries that cause long-term disability or permanent damage, workers’ compensation just may not be enough. By itself, it may not fully compensate you for all losses, including full lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages available in a third-party claim.

Fortunately, there’s another route you might be able to take to recover compensation for additional losses. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether pursuing a third-party claim is necessary to cover these additional losses.

Third-party claims against manufacturers and others

Massachusetts law lets injured workers make claims against third parties (people other than their employer) whose carelessness helped cause their injuries.

In defective equipment cases, potential third-party defendants may include:

• Equipment manufacturers: Companies that design, make, or sell faulty products may be at fault under product liability law.
• Part manufacturers: If a certain part of a machine was faulty, the company that made that part may be responsible.
• Maintenance companies: Outside companies that are hired to service or fix equipment may be responsible if careless maintenance caused the problem.
• Property owners or general contractors: On construction sites, they may be responsible for unsafe conditions or equipment.

Types of product liability claims

Product liability claims for faulty equipment typically involve 1 of 3 types of problems.

• Design defects: The product’s basic design is unsafe, making every aspect of that product dangerous.
• Manufacturing defects: The design is sound, but an error during production made a specific unit defective.
• Failure to warn: The manufacturer didn’t give enough instructions or warnings about the product’s dangers.

In Massachusetts, product liability claims may be based on negligence or breach of warranty. In these cases, you generally don’t need to prove that the manufacturer was careless. You only need to prove that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury.

Steps to take after a defective equipment injury

If you’re hurt by faulty equipment at work, keeping evidence is critical. The equipment itself is often the most important proof and shouldn’t be fixed, changed, or thrown away. Other helpful evidence may include maintenance records, user manuals, safety inspection reports, and photos of the accident scene.

Immediately notify your employer about the accident and get medical help right away. Document your injuries via photos and/or videos, and maintain all medical records. Seeking legal counsel early helps start an investigation quickly and makes sure evidence is saved before it’s changed or lost. Seeking legal counsel from a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later can help make sure your rights are protected.

Consult a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer

Injuries from faulty workplace equipment can change your life in the blink of an eye. While workers’ compensation offers important help, it may not cover all the harm you’ve experienced. A third-party claim can give extra compensation for pain and suffering, full lost wages, and other damages that workers’ compensation doesn’t pay.

If you were injured by defective or unsafe equipment on the job in Massachusetts, The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan can help you understand your options. Reach out to us by giving us a call or submitting an inquiry online to schedule a consultation.