Kentucky Farm Equipment Injuries
Over 50 percent of the land in Kentucky is considered farmland – about 12.8 million acres. Operating heavy machinery on a farm, such as a tractor, harvester or plow, comes with inherent safety hazards. One of the most common types of accidents is an overturn accident or rollover. If someone could have prevented your tractor or equipment overturn accident in Kentucky, such as an employer or equipment manufacturer, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Bryant Law Center P.S.C. can help you seek this compensation using proven legal strategies.
Why Hire Bryant Law Center P.S.C.?
- We have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law in Kentucky. This includes many cases involving workplace accidents, farm accidents, tractor overturns and equipment disasters.
- Our Kentucky personal injury lawyers know how to get outstanding results. We have recovered over $100 million in verdicts & settlements for past clients using smart negotiation strategies and trial capabilities.
- Our tractor and equipment overturn accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us anything in legal fees unless we win your case.
Injuries Often Suffered in Tractor and Equipment Overturn Accidents
When a tractor or another piece of farm equipment overturns, it can trap or crush the driver underneath the vehicle. This can result in serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Farm equipment often has dangerous components, as well, such as cutting edges, chains, gears and rotating blades. These components can cause further injury in a rollover accident, including lacerations and traumatic amputations. Sadly, many tractor and equipment overturn accidents are fatal, causing the death of the operator as well as other farmworkers who were struck by the vehicle, in some cases.
When Can You File an Injury Claim for Tractor or Equipment Overturns?
You may have grounds to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after a tractor or equipment overturn accident in Kentucky if someone else negligently, carelessly or recklessly caused the accident. Negligence in a personal injury context refers to a lack of proper care, or an act or omission that falls short of what a reasonable and prudent person would do in similar circumstances. Negligence consists of four elements:
- Duty of care: an obligation to exercise reasonable care.
- Breach of duty: a violation of the accepted care practices.
- Damages: compensable losses suffered by the victim.
- Causation: a causal link between the damages suffered and the defendant’s actions.
Even if your case does not involve negligence, you may still have the right to file a claim. If you have grounds to file a strict product liability lawsuit for a tractor overturn accident caused by a defective part, for example, this type of lawsuit will not require you to prove negligence. The best way to find out if you have the right to file an injury claim after a tractor or equipment overturn accident is by consulting with a lawyer.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
You may need an attorney to help you with a tractor or equipment overturn accident due to the severe nature of the injuries involved. These accidents are often catastrophic, meaning they inflict serious or permanent harm on the victim. In these scenarios, victims unfortunately cannot trust insurance companies to offer fair financial compensation.
Negotiating for fair and just compensation may require assistance from a personal injury lawyer in Kentucky who knows how to deal with insurance claims adjusters. While you focus on healing and your future, your lawyer can investigate the farm or workplace accident, identify the defendant, collect evidence, and fight for maximum financial compensation on your behalf.
Tractor/Equipment Rollovers and Workplace Accident Lawsuits in Kentucky
Tractors are considered the leading cause of injuries and deaths on farms. If your tractor or equipment overturn accident took place while you were performing tasks related to your job on a farm in Kentucky, you may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim. This could repay you for up to two-thirds of your lost wages, as well as medical bills and other losses. Before you accept a workers’ comp settlement, however, it is important to discuss the ability to file a lawsuit with an attorney. You may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit for greater financial compensation for acts of negligence such as:
- Improper employee training or supervision on a farm
- Failing to hitch or ballast the tractor properly
- Poor tractor or equipment maintenance
- Low-quality equipment repairs, leading to breakdowns
- Failure to maintain a safe workplace or premises
- Pressuring drivers to take risks to save time or money
If there is proof of negligence in connection to your equipment overturn incident in Kentucky, you may be able to hold your employer financially responsible through an injury lawsuit. You will give up the right to file a lawsuit against your employer, however, if you file for workers’ comp. This is why it is critical to discuss your rights with an attorney before signing anything given to you by an insurance company.
Did a Defective Part Cause Your Tractor or Farm Equipment Accident?
In some cases, the cause of a farm equipment accident is traced back to defective products. If a tractor or another piece of equipment has a defective part, it may malfunction or stop working mid-task. This can result in devastating accidents, including tractor overturns and equipment rollovers. A common example is a tire blowout, which could cause a tractor to tip over while in use. Defective designs could also lead to equipment that is unsafe for use.
If a defective part caused or contributed to your tractor overturn accident in Kentucky, you may have grounds to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the vehicle or problematic part for compensation. A product liability claim generally does not require you to prove that the manufacturer was negligent; instead, you must show that the tractor or vehicle contained a defect and caused your injuries.
Speak to a Local Tractor or Equipment Overturn Lawyer in Kentucky Today
A farm accident can be devastating and cause life-altering injuries to those involved. As a victim or surviving loved one, you deserve to have your story heard. Bryant Law Center P.S.C. has attorneys, resources and connections to experts to help you bring a claim. We will guide you through the legal process in pursuit of answers, justice and fair compensation. We are your local injury law firm in Kentucky, prepared to do what it takes to hold someone accountable for your farm accident. If you’ve been injured in a tractor or equipment overturn accident, please contact us today at (270) 550-1230 to request a free case consultation.