New Jersey Heavy Machinery Accidents

Construction sites are filled with all types of heavy machinery used to haul, drill, lift and excavate materials. When heavy machinery is improperly designed, manufactured, marketed or operated, tragic consequences may occur. Heavy machinery accidents can result in catastrophic bodily injuries such as broken bones, paralysis, loss of limbs, burns, traumatic brain injury, permanent scarring, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, internal bleeding and even death.

Most construction projects utilize various forms of heavy machinery. Typical heavy machinery operations including drilling, excavating, lifting, compacting, grading, loading, hauling, paving and surface finishing. If you have been injured due to an accident involved heavy machinery a construction accident lawyer in New Jersey may be able to help.

Types of Heavy Machinery Involved in Construction Site Accidents

• Cranes
• Forklifts
• Aerial lifts
• Large hydraulic tools
• Front end loaders

When any of these types of heavy machinery malfunctions or is operated improperly, construction accidents ranging from collisions with other heavy equipment, striking objects, electrocution and crushing may take place. Heavy machinery riders frequently fall off or get caught between certain types of industrial equipment. The use of heavy machinery can also create both ingress and egress difficulties. Other heavy machinery accidents occur due to the overturning of heavy equipment, unexpected electrical shock and runaway machines.

Many heavy machinery construction accidents result in third party liability when the heavy machinery is improperly designed, maintained or manufactured. Third party liability claims are frequently brought against equipment designers, engineers, leasing companies, equipment maintenance companies, equipment repair or servicing companies, manufacturing companies, distributors and marketers.

Heavy Machinery Design Flaws

Heavy machinery accidents often result from the negligent design or manufacturing of that piece of equipment. Failure to design heavy machinery with proper safety measures creates a construction accident hazard. Improper design and manufacturing may lead to problems with load capacity, balancing ability, electrical wiring, braking and ergonomic design.

Improper Maintenance 

Businesses that own, lease or rent heavy machinery may also have a legal obligation to property maintain the equipment to prevent faulty operation or mechanical failure. When heavy machinery is poorly repaired or serviced, mechanical failure may occur. Maintenance companies and repair shops may face third party liability lawsuits for their failure to improperly maintain or repair heavy machinery.

Inadequate Safety Warnings

Failure to warn heavy machinery operators about the inherent dangers of these powerful tools can also result in construction accident injuries. When a piece of heavy machinery fails to contain adequate safety warnings, and the lack of safety warning results in a construction accident causing bodily injury, negligence has taken place. The failure to warn heavy machinery operators of the need to use safety measures such as personal protective equipment can also result in third-party liability in heavy machinery construction accidents.

Hiring Legal Representation

If you or your loved one has been injured by heavy machinery at a construction site such as a forklift, crane or backhoe, the experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Grungo Law can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.

Compensation may be available for the costs of past and future medical treatment, nursing care, rehabilitation and therapy costs, costs of adaptive equipment and lost wages/loss of earning capacity. Under certain circumstances, you may also be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress and/or loss of consortium damages.