Heavy Machinery Accidents
Experienced Lawyer for Heavy Equipment Accidents
Construction and industrial jobs can pose significant dangers to workers, and even with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulating working conditions and unions advocating for worker safety in these industries, tragic accidents still occur. Mithoff Law has deep experience trying and winning cases related to heavy machinery accidents and injuries, including those involving industrial and construction worksites.
Mithoff Law has worked with teams of subject matter experts for decades to investigate, pursue, and resolve claims that involve accidents related to cranes, excavators, bulldozers, forklifts, dump trucks, or other pieces of heavy equipment. Contact the experienced team at Mithoff Law by calling 713-654-1122 for a free consultation.
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of J.P, Morgan Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
– Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
Recently, Mithoff Law represented a client who suffered an amputation of the leg below the knee in a workplace accident along the Houston Ship Channel. The client was seriously injured by a tow motor (a large forklift used in industrial or shipping applications), which ran over him as he was working. The case was settled for a confidential amount prior to trial.
Mithoff Law also recently represented a crane operator who sustained severe spinal injuries when the pedestal crane he was operating in a drydock facility collapsed. Plaintiffs alleged that the pedestal crane had defective bolts affixing it to its platform, and that it had been improperly inspected and/or maintained. The case settled for a confidential amount.
Common causes of heavy equipment accidents
With equipment that weighs thousands of pounds and exerts enough force to handle the toughest tasks, even the smallest errors can cause catastrophic injuries. Heavy equipment accidents can be caused by:
- Dangerous conditions
- Improper loading of materials
- Lack of proper equipment maintenance
- Inadequate machine operator training
- Human error
Every accident is different, which is why our lawyers for heavy machinery accidents partner with industry experts and use the most advanced investigative practices available to determine the underlying causes of an accident.
Injuries caused by heavy machinery
When working with heavy machinery, it can take less than a second for a devastating accident to unfold. It can happen on your first day of work or your last day before retirement. Hard work is part of the job, but risking your life shouldn’t be.
The results of an injury caused by heavy machinery could be severe and life-changing, including:
- Broken Bones
- Electrocution
- Amputation
- Degloving (the removal of skin from underlying tissues)
Heavy machinery accidents caused by a third party
In some cases, a third party, such as a manufacturer, contractor, or equipment reseller may be responsible for heavy machinery accidents. Our experienced attorneys have direct experience trying and winning cases against third parties involved in serious accidents.
Our team has consistently proven capable of identifying all responsible parties as a way to maximize compensation for our clients and prevent future accidents.
Injured in a heavy machinery accident? Get experienced representation from Mithoff Law.
At Mithoff Law, we care about construction workers and those who operate heavy machinery to build the world in which we live. We will work tirelessly to protect your interests.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a heavy machinery accident, call us today at 713-654-1122 to speak with an experienced heavy machinery accident attorney today.
Construction Accidents
Houston Construction Accident Lawyer
Construction work poses numerous hazards to workers at a job site, such as crane collapses, electrocution, fall hazards, and working with and around heavy machinery. At Mithoff Law, we leverage our decades of experience handling complex construction accident cases to help our clients designate who or what caused their injury and represent their best interests during the legal process. From construction accident cases involving everything from negligence claims to product liability to wrongful death, our nationally renowned team has built a track record of success and integrity.
The experienced attorneys at Mithoff Law have extensive experience in handling construction accident claims, including recently representing a crane operator who sustained severe spinal injuries when the pedestal crane he was operating in a drydock facility collapsed. Plaintiffs alleged that the pedestal crane had defective bolts affixing it to its platform, and that it had been improperly inspected and/or maintained. The case settled for a confidential amount.
Mithoff Law also recently represented the surviving family of a contractor who was electrocuted and killed, when he came into contact with an appliance that had been improperly wired during the course of home construction. The case settled for a confidential amount.
Work with construction accident lawyers who know the tremendous impact that injuries can have construction workers and their families. If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of another party, call 713-654-1122 to discuss your case with the experienced Houston construction accident attorneys at Mithoff Law.
“Mithoff, a Houston personal injury lawyer, is no stranger to winning big payoffs for large groups of people. He negotiated a $2.3 billion settlement with the tobacco industry for Harris and other counties, and he won $80 million for residents of a nursing home who were killed in a 2005 bus explosion while fleeing Hurricane Rita.”
– Houston Chronicle, November 22, 2017
What should I do if I’ve been injured in a construction accident?
Your job site should have safety and emergency protocols in place, but should they not, the following instructions may help mitigate further injury.
If you are injured in a construction accident, you should:
- Get prompt medical attention for the injury.
- Report the injury to the employer but do not sign anything without speaking to your lawyer.
- Collect witness testimony, photos of the injury and equipment and any other evidence that could be helpful for your case
- Contact an attorney from Mithoff Law to learn about your legal options
Although our team will run a thorough investigation with subject matter experts, we do encourage clients to collect evidence if possible, such as photographs of the accident scene, as the conditions at a construction site can change quickly.
Common causes of construction accidents
Construction can span activities as varied as homebuilding, commercial projects, and maritime and offshore construction, the work itself is labor-intensive, and injuries can be serious when accidents occur.
Some of the leading causes of construction accidents include:
- Improper use or maintenance of equipment
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Insufficient training
- Defective equipment
- Poor safety precautions and oversight
- Crane or hoist accidents
- Collapsed structures
- Fires and explosions
- Falling objects
- Electrical accidents
- Misuse of tools
- Welding accidents
A construction accident lawyer from Mithoff Law will work diligently and with the assistance of industry experts to understand and identify the factors at play in your accident, and to determine who may be responsible for your injuries.
Is a third-party responsible for my construction accident?
In the construction field, there are often persons or companies responsible for injuries other than a person’s employer. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help identify the parties responsible for your injury, potentially negotiate a settlement, and prepare your case for trial.
Potentially responsible third parties may include:
- Owners of the construction site
- Architects
- Engineers
- General contractors
- Equipment manufacturers
Need help? Contact a construction accident lawyer from Mithoff Law.
We understand how stressful an injury or loss of life can be on you and your family’s wellbeing. At Mithoff Law, our trial-tested lawyers represent you so that you and your family can focus on healing. We have received national recognition for our performance in the courtroom.
If you or a loved one needs someone experienced to guide you through the legal process, then contact Mithoff Law. Call 713-654-1122 today.
Industrial Accidents & Explosions
Industrial Accidents and Explosions Lawyer
Explosions, fires, and industrial accidents are hazards that make industrial work environments incredibly perilous to employees. The trial-tested attorneys at Mithoff Law have extensive experience conducting independent, thorough investigations of industrial accidents and explosions using our team of subject matter experts. Our investigations commonly include an analysis of root causes and contributing causes, detailed materials analysis (including metallurgical testing or industrial CT scanning), human factors, and many other scientific and engineering disciplines.
Call us today at 713-654-1122 to discuss your case and litigation options.
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of J.P, Morgan Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
– Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
The experienced lawyers at Mithoff Law have helped multiple clients win or resolve high-profile cases involving industrial accidents and explosions, including:
Tens of Millions Paid in Texas City Plant Explosion Settlements
Mithoff Law represented the families of five workers killed in an explosion at a Texas City refinery. Those cases were ultimately resolved on a confidential basis.
$5.5 Million Settlement for Man Severely Burned by Explosion at Sugar Mill
Obtained a $5.5 million settlement for a man who received second and third-degree burns over approximately forty percent of his body as a result of an explosion at a sugar mill.
What are industrial accidents?
An industrial accident refers to any accident that occurs in a non-office work setting, typically in mines, construction sites, chemical or electrical plants, and factories. Because these worksites often feature dangerous chemicals, heavy machinery, and sometimes require employees to work odd or long hours, the effects of industrial accidents may include catastrophic injuries, such as:
What are industrial accidents caused by?
Because of their potentially devastating consequences, employers are required by law to work toward the prevention of industrial accidents and can be held legally accountable should they fail to do so. Despite these regulations, industrial accidents still happen. These are just some of the many types of industrial accidents:
- Explosions and fires: When working with hazardous chemicals or machinery on job sites such as refineries or oil rigs, explosions and fires can occur due to a number of potential factors.
- Falling objects: Jobsites such as construction yards that feature heavy or sharp equipment require workers and supervisors to pay close attention. When dangerous objects are left in perilous positions, people can sustain devastating or even fatal head injuries should those objects fall.
- Chemical exposure: In addition to burns, blindness, and severe injuries caused at the moment of exposure, harmful chemicals can contribute to fatal diseases including cancers.
- Slips and falls: In fast-paced, high-intensity work environments, it’s crucial that employees and their supervisors remain vigilant in keeping job sites clean and enforcing safe behaviors. Failure to do so can result in multi-story falls that can permanently injure or even kill the employee and those around them.
Contact an Experienced Industrial Accident and Explosion Lawyer at Mithoff Law Today
Accident victims and their loved ones should seek representation from a skilled industrial accident and explosion attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Mithoff Law have decades of experience in this area, and can assist with your claim.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in an industrial accident, call us today at 713-654-1122 to meet with one of Mithoff Law’s industrial accident and explosion attorneys to learn about your options.
