Maryland construction workers face numerous dangers on the job, including the dangers associated with malfunctioning machinery. In fact, a lot of machinery malfunctions are caused by design defects, manufacturing defects, and assembly errors. Following a machinery malfunction that causes an injury, it is therefore, important for workers to try and determine why the malfunction occurred and who might be legally responsible for the malfunction.
Machinery malfunctions commonly happen with electric hand tools, landscaping tools and equipment like shovels, lawn mowers and weed-whackers, forklifts, conveyor belts, heavy construction machinery, industrial equipment and other types of malfunctioning job site machinery.
Generally, an injured construction worker in Maryland will be covered by workers' compensation insurance to help him or her pay for medical care and other expenses like lost income while recovering from injuries. However, if it is determined that an equipment or machinery manufacturer is to blame for an improperly functioning piece of equipment that caused the injury, then the manufacturer can also be held liable in a product liability personal injury claim.
Fortunately for Maryland construction workers, the vast majority of machine and equipment malfunctions do not result in a serious injury. However, when injuries do occur, workers need to know their rights under the law. At McGowan & Cecil, we are here to help educate you on your legal rights and options. We will listen to your story and advise you of the best next steps in your potential workers' compensation or product liability case. Best of all, we will not charge you a dime in legal fees unless we successfully recover financial benefits on your behalf.