Working in a factory with machinery can have its risks and, unfortunately, accidents do occur. Factory machinery accidents include a broad spectrum of incidents, ranging from minor mishaps to catastrophic events resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. Whether caused by equipment malfunction, inadequate training, negligence, or other factors, these accidents often leave individuals grappling with physical, emotional, and financial hardships.

Navigating the aftermath of a factory accident can be overwhelming, particularly for injured workers seeking compensation for their losses. Understanding the details of filing a claim, negotiating with insurance companies, and pursuing compensation can be complex and daunting tasks.

If you have been injured in a factory machine accident, you could be entitled to compensation. At Beacon Law, our team of personal injury solicitors can help you understand your legal rights and options when pursuing a factory machine accident claim.

Common accidents that lead to factory machinery accident claims

Factory machine accidents can occur due to various factors. Common types of accidents that we see that lead to factory machine accident claims include:

1. Mechanical Failures: Malfunctioning machinery due to defects, wear and tear, or improper maintenance can lead to accidents. Examples include broken parts, faulty wiring, or hydraulic system failures.
2. Lack of Training: When employers fail to train workers on how to operate or maintain machinery, it can increase the risk of accidents. Workers may not understand safety procedures, proper use of equipment, or how to respond to emergencies.
3. Unsafe Working Conditions: Factors such as poor lighting, cluttered factory floors, inadequate ventilation, or lack of machine guards can contribute to accidents. Unsafe conditions increase the likelihood of workers coming into contact with moving parts or hazardous materials.
4. Overexertion and Fatigue: Long hours, demanding workloads, and insufficient breaks can lead to fatigue among workers, impairing their judgment and coordination. Fatigued individuals are more prone to accidents while operating machinery.
5. Improper Use of Equipment: Using machinery for tasks it wasn’t designed for or attempting shortcuts to save time can result in accidents. This includes bypassing safety features, overloading equipment with heavy objects, or using damaged tools.
6. Miscommunication: Poor communication between factory workers, supervisors, or departments can lead to misunderstandings or confusion, increasing the risk of accidents. Failure to communicate changes in procedures, equipment status, or work schedules can have serious consequences.
7. Inadequate Safety Measures: Insufficient safety protocols, including lack of training, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), or outdated health and safety procedures, can leave workers vulnerable to accidents.

These accidents can cause a range of different injuries, from strain injuries and broken bones to more serious catastrophic injuries.

What should you do if you have been involved in a factory machine accident?

If you have been involved in a factory machine accident, there are a few things you should do. If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent.

Exchange information with the other people involved in the accident. This includes their name, address, and phone numbers. Take pictures of the accident scene. This includes any injuries you sustained.

If you would like to make a personal injury claim for compensation, contact Beacon Law to speak to one of our specialist personal injury solicitors about making a claim on a no win no fee basis. Details on the claims process can also be found on our website.

How much compensation could you receive?

The amount of compensation you could receive for an injury can vary significantly and depends on different factors. It is challenging to provide an exact figure without knowing the specific details of your case. Compensation typically covers two main categories of damages:

Special Damages:

These are the quantifiable economic losses you have incurred as a result of the accident. They may include:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for current and future medical treatment, surgeries, medications, therapy, and rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost due to your injuries, including future earning potential if your injuries impact your ability to work. 

General Damages:

These are non-economic losses that are more subjective and can be challenging to quantify. They may include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident and your injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the accident.

It is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer who can assess your case’s specific details, evaluate the potential value of your claim, and provide you with a more accurate estimation of the compensation you could receive based on their expertise and experience in handling similar cases.

What are the time limits for making a claim?

Before starting your claim, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. From the date of the accident that caused the injuries, the injured party will have 3 years to commence proceedings for claiming compensation.

One exception to the 3 year time limit occurs when the claimant who has suffered an injury does not have the mental capacity to begin their compensation claim. In this case, a close family member or friend can make a claim on their behalf, or they can make a claim when they regain mental capacity.

Why choose Beacon Law?

Beacon Law is a law firm of specialist personal injury solicitors. We have helped many of our clients obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries sustained as a result of factory machinery accidents. We also assist with other work-related claims such as forklift accidents, slips, trips and falls, and defective equipment.

We have years of experience in assisting those who have experienced all types of injuries. We deal with personal injury claims on a daily basis and have vast experience in injury-related cases.

You can request an initial consultation by completing the online help form, and an experienced member of our team will contact you to discuss your case. Alternatively, you can call us on 0330 1332 857, and we will be happy to assist you with your query.

Beacon Law are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out about our no win, no fee basis, have a look at the funding section on our website.