Common types of machinery defects
Machines of any type have the potential to be hazardous, but some tend to be more dangerous than others. Common machines that pose a risk include:
- Construction equipment
- Conveyor belts
- Farm machinery and equipment
- Fitness center and gym equipment
- Forklifts and warehouse machinery
- Home appliances (washing machines, blenders, etc.)
- Landscaping tools and equipment
- Power tools
- Press machines
- Production line equipment
- Snowblowers
Machine defects can happen at any time during the product cycle – design, manufacture, distribution or marketing. In some cases, defects can occur during one or more cycles and contain more than one defect. Common machine defects related to product liability claims include:
- Faulty wiring
- Lack of or improper safety warnings or instructions
- Machine or equipment overheating even with proper use
- Machines or equipment with inadequate safety devices, like guards or automatic shutoff switches
- Mistakes or negligence in machine assembly or professional installation
- Use of low-quality, improper or incorrect materials in manufacturing
Injuries from defective and dangerous machines can be life altering and disabling. Our knowledgeable legal team understands the complexities of these types of injuries and works hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common defective machine injuries in Los Angeles
Anything that has moving or electrical parts has the potential to cause an injury. And, if it has a defect, it can almost certainly cause an injury, from minor cuts and scrapes to wrongful death. Injuries from defective and dangerous machines can include:
- Amputations
- Broken Bones and Fractures
- Burn Injury
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Crushing and Caught-Between Injuries
- Electrocution
- Head and Neck Injuries
- Spinal Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
Product liability and machinery defects
If a machine caused you or a loved one injury, it doesn’t necessarily mean the machine was defective. In some circumstances, a product could cause injury because it was used improperly. Additionally, there are other machines and products that are simply inherently hazardous to operate, and should always have clearly stated warnings and safeguards.
Product liability law generally looks at three ways a product can be considered defective and dangerous:
Design
In this first stage, the actual design of the product itself is flawed, making the product inherently defective. This means that every product coming off the manufacturing line will be defective. To prove defective design, our product liability attorneys work to show:
- The product was defective due to its design
- That defect caused the product to malfunction
- That malfunction resulted in your injuries
Manufacturing
When the defect occurs in this stage, it means that the defect happened due to faulty manufacturing. The defect may only show up in certain lots or runs of the product, depending on the manufacturing circumstances. Our lawyers work to prove that the defect caused a malfunction that resulted in your injuries.
Improper or inadequate warnings
Even if the machine or tool is designed and manufactured correctly, it can still be considered dangerous and defective if it’s lacking the appropriate instructions or safety warnings. Our job is to show why improper warnings may have resulted in your injury.
Liability for defective machines in California
Manufacturers of any machine – consumer or industrial – need to ensure that their users and the people around them are safe from danger and injury. When they fail in this duty due to negligence or carelessness and someone is injured or even killed, they may be violating product liability laws.
Our defective machine lawyers work to help you prove a defect existed and seek full compensation for your losses.
Compensation for machinery injuries
If you’ve suffered an injury or loss in an accident due to a machine defect, the product liability attorneys at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP can help. Machinery injuries can lead to long-term disability and chronic pain, and it’s crucial you receive full financial compensation. We hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence, seeking compensation for your losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Wage losses
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Other losses
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