Myrtle Beach Heavy Machinery Accident Attorney

If you were hurt in a construction site accident in Myrtle Beach involving a crane, forklift, bulldozer, or other heavy equipment, you are likely dealing with pain, missed work, and a mountain of paperwork all at once.

Heavy machinery accidents often raise more than one type of claim at the same time. You may have a workers’ compensation claim against your employer, a separate personal injury claim against a negligent equipment manufacturer or contractor, or both.

Jebaily Law Firm’s heavy machinery accident lawyers in Myrtle Beach can sort out which claims apply to your situation and pursue the full compensation you deserve from every source. We are ready to start fighting for your rights and interests now.

How a Myrtle Beach Heavy Machinery Accident Attorney Can Help

Our heavy machinery accident lawyers can explain a part of South Carolina law that trips up many injured workers: the difference between a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party liability claim.

Workers’ compensation is generally your only path to compensation from your employer. The no-fault system does not require you to prove your employer was negligent. However, workers’ comp usually does not cover the full extent of your losses. For example, it pays only partial lost wages and does not provide for pain and suffering damages.

If someone other than your employer or co-workers caused the accident, a third-party claim may let you pursue compensation that the workers’ compensation system does not provide, including the full extent of your lost wages and non-economic damages. Some examples of potential defendants in a third-party personal injury claim include:

The manufacturer or distributor of equipment with a design or manufacturing defect
A property owner or general contractor who failed to keep a job site reasonably safe
An equipment rental or repair company that negligently inspected or serviced faulty machinery
A subcontractor from a different company whose negligence caused your injury

Our attorneys will investigate every angle of the accident to identify every party that may owe you compensation, and can explain how a workers’ compensation lien might affect a third-party recovery.

How Long Do You Have to File a Heavy Machinery Injury Claim in South Carolina?

South Carolina law generally gives injured workers two years from the date of a workplace accident to file a formal claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. However, you must notify your employer within 90 days of the accident to preserve your claim.

If your case involves a third-party personal injury lawsuit, such as a claim against an equipment manufacturer for a defective machine, South Carolina’s general personal injury statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of your injury to file suit. However, certain exceptions could lengthen or shorten the timeframe. That is why it is critical to speak with our experienced workplace injury attorneys as soon as possible after your accident.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Heavy Machinery Accident in Myrtle Beach, SC?

The compensation available after a heavy machinery accident depends on which type of claim applies to your case. Some examples of potential compensation for injuries from a heavy machinery accident include:

Medical expenses – This includes past and future treatment related to your injuries, such as surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Lost wages – This accounts for income you missed while you recovered and any reduction in your future earning capacity. Workers’ compensation provides only partial wage replacement benefits, typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a cap. A successful personal injury claim can cover the full extent of lost income.
Pain and suffering – These damages are available through a third-party personal injury claim, but not a workers’ compensation claim. They address your physical pain and the emotional toll of the accident.
Wrongful death benefits – This applies when a heavy machinery accident causes a fatal injury. It can cover funeral costs and lost financial support for surviving family members.

What Evidence Can Help Prove a Heavy Machinery Accident Claim?

Strong evidence can make a significant difference in a heavy machinery accident claim, and Jebaily Law Firm can help you gather it before it disappears. Some examples of the types of evidence that may play a role in a heavy equipment accident claim include:

Accident reports and OSHA reports – These documents often describe how the accident happened and whether any safety violations occurred.
Equipment maintenance records – These records can reveal whether an owner or operator failed to maintain the machine properly.
Witness statements – Co-workers or bystanders who saw the accident can help establish how it happened and who was responsible.
Photos and videos – Images of the equipment, the job site, and your injuries help preserve details that fade over time.
Medical records – These records connect your injuries directly to the accident and support the compensation you are seeking.

What Types of Heavy Equipment Can Cause Serious Injuries?

Heavy equipment comes in many forms, and each type carries its own risks. Here are a few examples of the types of equipment that can cause serious injuries in Myrtle Beach:

Cranes – A crane that tips, swings unexpectedly, or drops a load can cause devastating injuries to workers and bystanders alike.
Forklifts – Forklifts can tip over, strike pedestrians, or drop improperly secured loads.
Bulldozers, backhoes, and excavators – These machines can roll over on uneven terrain or strike workers standing in blind spots.
Dump trucks – Dump trucks pose risks during loading, unloading, and backing up on active job sites.
Scaffolding and aerial lifts – Equipment failures at height can cause serious falls.

If you are searching for a construction accident lawyer near you because a piece of equipment has injured you, a Myrtle Beach construction accident attorney at our law firm can review the accident and explain your legal options during a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Caused by Heavy Machinery?

Heavy machinery accidents can cause some of the most severe injuries on construction sites and other workplace settings. Some examples include:

Amputations – Crush injuries and machine entanglement can result in the loss of a limb.
Traumatic brain injuries – A fall or a strike from equipment or falling debris can cause lasting cognitive and physical effects.
Spinal cord injuries – These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis.
Severe burns – Electrocution or equipment malfunctions can cause burns requiring extensive treatment.
Multiple fractures – The force involved in a heavy equipment accident often causes broken bones in more than one part of the body.

If you are looking for a law firm for machine injuries near you, our attorneys have represented South Carolina workers hurt in serious workplace accidents, including cases involving catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities.

Contact a Myrtle Beach Heavy Machinery Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

Jebaily Law Firm has recovered significant results for South Carolina workers, including $288,981.50 for a client whose workers’ compensation claim for a head injury was initially denied, an injury that left the client quadriplegic, and $264,633.81 in a workers’ compensation case that ended in a fatal injury. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case, but our attorneys remain committed to injured workers and their families.

Here’s what one former client wrote about her experience with our firm:

“Brian Yost, our attorney at Jebaily Law Firm, is absolutely wonderful. He and his staff, Monique, Jocelyn, and Dawn, were always polite and answered our questions. Brian helped us through my husband’s workers’ comp case after we had almost given up. Workers’ comp can be so difficult to deal with, and we now recommend using an attorney to navigate through all the issues that can come up. Brian is an excellent lawyer and a down-to-earth person! Very relatable. Thank you, Brian!” – Shalene W.

If you were hurt in a heavy machinery accident in Myrtle Beach, do not wait to get legal help. Our experienced construction accident attorneys in Myrtle Beach offer free consultations that come with no strings attached.

Contact Jebaily Law Firm today for a free case review and information about your best legal options for seeking compensation.