Dangerous or Defective Equipment Lawyers in Delaware
Holding Negligent Manufacturers Accountable
The construction industry is one of the most vibrant in America. Over 745,000 employers have more than 7.6 million workers on the books, and these numbers often climb higher during periods of economic growth. Unfortunately, this is also one of the most perilous jobs an individual can have. There are many significant hazards inherent to this work, and even equipment issues can cause serious injury. If you’ve been harmed in such an accident, a dangerous or defective equipment lawyer in Delaware may be able to help.
At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, our legal professionals are dedicated to helping our clients seek justice. If you were injured on the job, this might mean filing for workers’ comp on your behalf or appealing denials. If you were hurt due to third-party negligence, it could mean fighting to secure personal injury damages. Regardless of the specific circumstances of your case, a free consultation with our Delaware dangerous or defective equipment lawyers can prove invaluable.
What Types of Accidents Are Caused by Dangerous or Defective Equipment?
When people think of dangerous and defective equipment, they often envision product liability cases. Such claims typically arise when manufacturers release unsafe products to the public. Construction accidents involving equipment can certainly fall into this category, but there is actually a much wider array of potential mishaps. While every incident will have its own unique circumstances, here are a few examples of how equipment can cause serious harm:
- Crane collapse: When a crane collapses or creates dangers in other ways, the results can be disastrous. About 42 people die every year in such accidents.
- Brake failures: Vehicles and heavy equipment are essential on worksites, but if the brakes fail on one of these, a severe construction vehicle accident can occur.
- Nail gun accidents: Around 37,000 people visit American emergency rooms each year due to nail gun accidents. These can occur due to defective equipment or negligent operation.
These are merely some of the most noteworthy accidents seen on construction sites. That’s why our dangerous or defective equipment lawyers in Delaware encounter such cases regularly. Not every accident involves a faulty product, though, and not every injury is due to negligence. This is why it’s so important to have a legal professional review your case before moving forward. Failure to fully understand your accident and injuries can leave you without fair compensation for the ordeal you’ve experienced.
Potential Compensation for Accidents Caused by Equipment
If you were injured on a construction site in Delaware or the surrounding region, a dangerous or defective equipment lawyer may be able to assist in recovering compensation. In some cases, you might be entitled to multiple forms of financial recovery. If you were injured on the job, the easiest path is seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Millions of applications for benefits are filed yearly, and the nation sees around $60 billion in claims paid out annually. This is often a simple process since injury victims don’t need to prove fault.
If you weren’t on the job, however, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. This can happen if dangerous equipment or its improper use caused a car accident while you were driving by a job site. Individuals on motorcycles or even walking down the street could experience similar accidents. In such cases and others involving non-employees, a personal injury attorney can help seek compensation from an insurance company through settlement negotiations or a lawsuit.
Of course, not everything is black and white in this world. It’s sometimes possible to recover workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury damages. If you were injured while on the job, you’ll typically be entitled to workers’ comp. If your injury involved some third-party liability, though, you may also have a valid personal injury claim. These third parties could include negligent operators, manufacturers that create defective equipment, and anyone else who may share liability.
Do You Need an Attorney to Recover Compensation for Injuries?
If you’re wondering whether you need a personal injury or workers’ compensation attorney in Delaware to receive compensation, the technical answer is “no.” Of course, you don’t need an accountant to file your taxes or a restaurant to cook your food. In all of these situations, though, having a professional handle the job is ideal. The major difference between not hiring an attorney and not hiring other professionals is that the former could result in you not receiving fair compensation.
The statistics are clear: having legal representation is beneficial. Those who are represented by an attorney receive higher settlements and court awards on average. Remember: this doesn’t mean that victims who don’t have a dangerous or defective equipment lawyer are less entitled to compensation. It simply means these injury victims typically get less compensation because they don’t know what they’re entitled to or how to maximize their recovery.
Additionally, going up against an employer or insurance company on your own can be difficult. They’ll typically have lawyers representing their best interests. In every case, those best interests involve paying out as little as possible. There may very well be a time when you’re offered fair compensation from the start, but you’ll probably never know without a case evaluation. That’s why you should take advantage of a free consultation at Schwartz & Schwartz today.
Contact a Dangerous or Defective Equipment Lawyer in Delaware Today
Whether you were injured on the job or while going about other daily activities, you’re often entitled to some form of compensation. In the case of dangerous or defective equipment, this can come in many forms. Mistakes made on the job typically result in workers’ compensation claims, but third-party liability could result in personal injury damages from other contractors, property owners, and even the manufacturer of products used on the job.
At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, we understand just how complex these cases can be. That’s why our personal injury and workers’ comp lawyers work diligently to understand every aspect of our client’s cases. While it may be tempting to accept the first promise of financial restitution that comes your way, doing so can lead to economic difficulties. Contact us today by calling 302-678-8700 to obtain a free case review. Our dangerous or defective equipment lawyers in Delaware may be able to help.