If you work on a farm, you face health and safety risks on a daily basis. From working in close proximity to heavy machinery to being exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals, many aspects of farming can be extremely dangerous. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “[a]griculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries; farming is one of the few industries in which family members (who often share the work and live on the premises) are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.”
The CDC’s data also indicate that:
- Each day, approximately 100 farm workers suffer injuries that cause them to miss time from work.
- Each year, hundreds of farm workers die in avoidable accidents. This includes tractor overturns, which are the leading cause of death on agricultural farms.
- Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) are “[t]he most effective way to prevent tractor overturn deaths.” Despite widespread availability, less than two-thirds of farm tractors in the US are equipped with ROPS.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a farm accident, it is important that you speak with an attorney about your legal rights. Serious work-related injuries can have lasting consequences, including chronic pain, physical disabilities, and substantial financial costs (medical expenses and loss of income). If you have lost a loved one, you will need financial resources for the future. Unfortunately, you cannot expect your loved one’s employer to provide for your family. As a result, you need an advocate who has your best interests in mind and who is willing to fight to make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Our experienced Indianapolis farm accident lawyers are here to help you in any way we can. Whether you need help recovering from a work-related injury or you need to pursue a claim for wrongful death, we will assist you every step of the way. We will explain your rights, help you understand your options, and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. When you have a question, we will answer your call. When we receive a settlement offer on your behalf, we will help you decide whether to accept the offer or keep fighting for more. No games. No unnecessary delays. No bull.
We represent farm workers and families in cases involving all types of farming-related accidents throughout Indiana. This includes cases involving factors such as:
- Dangerous and defective tools, equipment, and machinery
- Entanglement and other machinery-related accidents
- Entrapment in a silo or barn
- Loading, unloading, and dumping
- Inadequate access to medical care (particularly in rural areas)
- Inadequate safety equipment, training, or supervision
- Internal injuries and cancers from inhalation of fumes or particulates
- Poorly maintained tractors and farming equipment
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Tractor overturns
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on a farm or is exhibiting symptoms of an illness or traumatic brain injury, you should seek medical attention immediately, and you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Maybe. In Indiana, some agricultural workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and some aren’t. But, regardless of whether you are covered under your employer’s insurance policy, it is critical that you speak with an attorney about filing a personal injury claim to recover your losses. While workers’ compensation benefits are limited, if you file a successful personal injury claim, you can recover full compensation for all of your injury-related losses.
If you believe that you may have caused your own injury by making a mistake, it is critical that you avoid jumping to conclusions. From product defects to maintenance issues and inadequate training, there are numerous factors beyond your control that could be fully or partially responsible for what happened. The only way to conclusively establish the cause of your accident is to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation, and this requires you to engage an experienced personal injury attorney.
To protect your legal rights after a farm accident in Indiana, you should:
- seek prompt medical attention;
- follow your doctor’s advice (stay home from work if told to do so);
- write down everything you remember and be sure to keep any photos you took with your phone;
- write down the names of any co-workers who witnessed the accident; and
- schedule a free consultation with our experienced Indianapolis farm accident lawyers.