Heavy equipment keeps construction sites, farms, warehouses, and manufacturing plants across the Pee Dee region running. However, heavy machinery also carries serious risks. For example, forklifts tip, cranes drop loads, and workers get caught in moving parts, often leaving victims with severe injuries.
If you were hurt by a forklift, excavator, crane, or other piece of heavy equipment, Jebaily Law Firm is ready to help.
As a trusted heavy machinery accident attorney Florence families have relied on since 1969, we bring more than 100 years of combined experience to your claim. A heavy machinery accident lawyer from our team is ready to investigate what happened, identify every source of compensation available, and fight for the outcome you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our heavy machinery accident lawyers in Florence.
What to Do Immediately After a Heavy Machinery Accident in Florence, SC
The steps you take right after a heavy equipment accident can shape your claim. Be sure to:
- Get medical care – Even injuries that seem minor at first can turn out to be serious, so a prompt medical evaluation protects both your health and your claim.
- Report the accident – South Carolina law generally requires you to report a workplace injury to your employer within 90 days, so do not delay.
- Document the scene – Photos of the equipment, the site, and any visible injuries can preserve evidence before conditions change.
- Avoid giving detailed statements – Insurance adjusters will try to use your own words against you, so speak with an attorney at Jebaily Law Firm before discussing fault.
How Can Jebaily Law Firm’s Attorneys Help After a Heavy Machinery Accident in Florence?
Heavy machinery cases are rarely simple. Our attorneys can dig into maintenance records, training logs, and equipment inspection history to identify what went wrong and who should be held accountable.
We will determine whether your claim belongs in the workers’ compensation system, the civil courts as a third-party claim, or both. Because equipment manufacturers, contractors, and property owners can all play a role in an accident, our team will pursue every available avenue of compensation for you.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Heavy Equipment Accident in Florence, SC?
The compensation available to injured workers after a heavy equipment accident depends on the type of claim. As your heavy equipment accident lawyer, we can help you seek money for your:
- Medical expenses – This includes emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care related to your injury.
- Lost wages – You may recover income lost while you are unable to work, along with reduced future earning capacity through a third-party personal injury claim. Workers’ compensation benefits provide only partial wage replacement.
- Pain and suffering – Available in third-party claims, this compensates for the physical and emotional toll of a serious injury.
- Permanent disability – If your injury results in lasting impairment, you may qualify for additional compensation under South Carolina law.
When Can You File a Third-Party Claim After a Heavy Machinery Accident?
If someone other than your employer contributed to the incident that caused your injuries, you may be able to file a third-party claim in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Common third-party claims could involve, for example:
- A defective machine part – Equipment manufacturers can be held responsible when a design or manufacturing flaw causes an accident.
- A negligent subcontractor – Workers employed by a different company on a shared job site may bear responsibility for unsafe conditions.
- A property owner – Owners who fail to maintain safe premises can be liable for accidents that occur on their property.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found partly at fault for the accident, the court will reduce your compensation by the percentage of fault it attributes to you. You may be barred from recovery entirely if you are found more than 50 percent responsible.
Our machinery accident lawyers can work to protect you from insurance companies’ unfair attempts to shift blame onto you for the accident that injured you.
Can You Get Workers’ Compensation After a Heavy Machinery Accident?
Most Florence-area workers hurt on the job qualify for South Carolina workers’ compensation, regardless of who caused the accident. The no-fault system generally provides:
- Medical benefits for reasonable and necessary medical treatments related to your on-the-job injury
- Partial wage-replacement benefits, typically calculated at two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a cap
- Permanent disability benefits if your injuries lead to permanent impairment
South Carolina workers’ compensation law requires you to report a workplace injury within 90 days and file a formal workers’ compensation claim within two years, so act promptly to protect your rights.
Heavy Machinery Accident Causes: Common Hazards in South Carolina Workplaces
Heavy equipment injuries rarely happen without a reason. Common hazards for construction workers and others include:
- Inadequate training – Workers who operate equipment without proper instruction face a higher risk of causing an accident.
- Poor maintenance – Skipped inspections and delayed repairs can allow mechanical defects to go unnoticed.
- Unsafe site conditions – Uneven ground, poor visibility, and cluttered work areas can all contribute to rollovers and collisions.
- Failure to follow safety procedures – Skipping lockout and tagout steps during repairs can expose workers to moving parts.
What Types of Injuries Do Workers Sustain in Heavy Machine Accidents?
Heavy machinery accidents often cause severe harm. Individuals may experience work-related injuries such as:
- Crush injuries – Being caught between equipment and a fixed surface can cause serious soft tissue and bone damage.
- Traumatic brain injuries – A fall or a strike from moving equipment can cause head trauma with a lasting impact.
- Spinal cord injuries – Compression or impact can cause nerve damage and paralysis among other catastrophic injuries.
- Amputations – Entanglement in moving parts can result in the loss of a limb or digit.
Get Legal Help from a Heavy Machinery Accident Attorney in Florence, SC
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a heavy machinery accident, Jebaily Law Firm is ready to help you throughout the claims process. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can review your case at no cost and explain your options in plain terms.
With more than 100 years of combined experience serving Florence and the surrounding Pee Dee region since 1969, our firm has the resources to take on employers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers alike.
Our attorneys have secured significant results for injured clients throughout South Carolina, including an $800,000 recovery for a client with a serious knee and back injury and a $750,000 recovery for a client who suffered a severe foot crush injury. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, but they reflect the same preparation we bring to every heavy machinery claim.
Check out some of the positive reviews our previous clients have written about their experiences with our law firm. For example, one past client wrote:
“I would trust Jebaily Law Firm with my life! They are professional, competent, honest, and sincere. You’ll sleep better knowing they’re on your side.” – Savannah N.
Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation with our experienced attorneys.
