Heavy Equipment Injury Attorney in Portland
Accidents involving construction vehicles, farm machinery, and other heavy equipment frequently cause devastating injuries to workers in Portland, Oregon. Industrial equipment can break bones, damage internal organs, or crush a worker’s limbs, for just a few examples. Workers’ compensation provides a valuable lifeline for workers injured on the job who need help paying their medical bills and making ends meet while they cannot work.
If you suffered injuries in a heavy equipment accident in Portland, attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich wants to help with your workers’ compensation claim. Jodie has dedicated her private legal practice to helping injured workers and has over 20 years of experience pursuing the benefits her clients need. She is ready to help you navigate the claims process and seek compensation for your injuries.
Contact Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., today for a free consultation.
Types and Causes of Portland Heavy Machinery Accidents
Some heavy machinery accidents in Portland involve human error, while others involve mechanical failure or other issues. Some of the most common causes of Portland heavy machinery accidents include:
- Workers falling against machinery – Employees sometimes sustain injuries from heavy machinery when they collide with the equipment. That can happen if an employee slips or falls or if someone pushes them into the machinery.
- Workers getting caught in machinery – If a worker gets an arm, leg, or another body part stuck inside heavy machinery, the machinery could crush or sever the body part, leading to severe bleeding and other injuries.
- Workers getting hit and crushed by a vehicle – Construction vehicles and other mobile industrial equipment can crush someone or cause other injuries if the vehicle runs into or over an employee.
- Fires and explosions – If a piece of heavy machinery malfunctions or its fuel ignites, the machinery could start a fire or explode. Anyone caught in the blast could suffer severe burns and other injuries.
- Electric shocks – Mechanical defects or faulty wiring can cause electric shocks if a worker touches electrical components without proper protective gear.
- Crane accidents – If a crane malfunctions while moving or carrying a heavy load, workers on the ground could sustain significant injuries from falling objects.
Some examples of heavy machinery or equipment that can cause an accident include:
- Bulldozers
- Dump trucks
- Logging trucks
- Hydraulic excavators
- Backhoes
- Asphalt pavers
- Steamrollers
- Compactors
- Skid loaders
- Forklifts
- Cranes
- Harvesters
- Farm equipment
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Heavy Equipment Accident in Portland?
If you suffer injuries from a heavy equipment accident at work and your workers’ comp claim is accepted, your employer must cover all reasonable and medically necessary treatments related to your injuries. Your medical benefits in a Portland workers’ compensation case will last at least until you are medically stable, the point at which additional treatment no longer yields improvements. In some cases, certain benefits may last for as long as you need care.
You may also qualify for time-loss benefits if you miss work due to your injuries. Time-loss benefits are calculated at two-thirds of your average weekly wages before your injury, up to a limit set by state law that increases with inflation.
You might qualify for permanent disability benefits after a heavy equipment accident. The amount of these benefits and how long they last depend on your injuries, the extent of your disability, and other factors. Portland workers’ compensation lawyer Jodie Anne Phillips Polich can tell you more about what compensation you could receive for your injuries during a free claim review.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Commonly Caused by Heavy Equipment?
Common injuries from Portland heavy equipment accidents include:
- External head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Severe burns
- Severed, crushed, or amputated limbs
- Back and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Electric shocks
- Crush injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Injuries to internal organs
- Broken bones
Who Is Liable for a Portland Heavy Machinery Injury?
In Oregon, most employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees who get hurt on the job. The insurance provides benefits regardless of who was at fault. However, it also generally prevents you from suing your employer if they were to blame for your injuries.
If someone other than your employer or a co-worker caused the accident, you might be able to hold them liable for your injuries through a personal injury suit. For example, if someone who worked for a different company was driving the piece of equipment that hurt you, you might have a personal injury claim against them. If the equipment was defective and that resulted in your injury, you might have a products liability claim against the manufacturer.
What Can You Do If You Are Injured While Working with Heavy Equipment?
Here are some steps to take to protect your rights after a heavy equipment accident at work:
- Seek medical treatment immediately. Injuries can worsen if an injured worker does not see a doctor right away. Tell your doctor you were hurt on the job so they can fill out an Oregon Form 827.
- Ask someone to take pictures of the accident scene and any visible hazards in the area.
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. If you cannot report the injury yourself, ask a trusted friend, family member, or co-worker to do so.
- File an Oregon Form 801 with your employer and their insurer, and follow up if you do not hear back about your claim in five days.
- Keep copies of all your medical records.
- Do not speak to any insurance companies before talking to a lawyer.
- Stay off social media and be careful who you talk to about the accident.
- Hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C.
How Our Lawyer Helps People Hurt in Portland Heavy Equipment Accidents
Portland heavy equipment accident lawyer Jodie Anne Phillips Polich can help with your case in many ways, including:
- Explaining the workers’ comp process and your potential compensation.
- Gathering your medical records and other evidence to substantiate your claim
- Filing your claim and reviewing any necessary paperwork
- Negotiating with your employer and their insurance company to reach a reasonable settlement
- Assisting with any appeals if your employer denies your claim or will not provide reasonable compensation for your injuries
Contact a Heavy Equipment Accident Attorney in Portland
Heavy equipment accidents in Portland frequently cause life-altering injuries. Our experienced workers’ comp lawyer can help you recover the money you need to put your life back together. Contact the experts at Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., today for a free consultation.