Farm Accident Lawyers

Rockford Farm Accident Lawyers

Rockford Farm Accident Lawyers

If you, or someone you love, has been hurt in a farming accident we can help. Reach out to our Farm and Agricultural Lawyers for a FREE consultation. No fees unless we win.

Your health and livelihood depend on your ability to get back to work.

CONTACT OUR FARM ACCIDENT LAWYERS TODAY

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We’re Here to Help – Call Us First

Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers work with farm and agricultural related lawsuits on a regular basis. Each case is different and should be thoroughly investigated. We have professionals we contact on a regular basis who are familiar with lawsuits involving farming and the equipment. We are a strong asset for any farm accident case. More about our Farm Injury Lawyers.

If you’ve just been injured in a farming accident please follow 4 Steps You Should Take After a Farming Accident to Protect Yourself

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Farming is a Tough Job and Risky Job

Farming is a tough job, and it comes with its fair share of risks. Every year farmers are getting hurt in farm related accidents. They have to work fast during planting and harvesting with big equipment and heavy machinery.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 416 farmers and farm employees sustained fatal work-related injuries in 2017, which equates to a fatality rate of 20.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. The CDC also reports that approximately 100 agricultural workers sustain injuries every day. Some of these accidents and injuries are preventable. When such injuries result from negligence, a violation of state or federal regulations, or product liability, those who suffer injuries may be entitled to compensation.

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Farm Injury Compensation and Different Types of Legal Claims in Illinois

Agricultural accidents can happen for several reasons. Your options for seeking compensation comes down to the cause of the accident – who or what. Farm accidents can be caused by negligence by your employer, co-worker, or someone associated with the job. But also by faulty equipment.

Employer Compensation

Employers have a certain “duty of care” to employees. If an employer fails to maintain equipment or violates state and federal regulations, that employer may be held liable. You could have a strong case if we can prove that the accident could have been avoided. In the case that an employee gets hurt on the job a Workers’ Compensation Claim can be filed. Worker’s compensation laws differ from state to state, but are similar to personal injury claims, but come with its own guidelines. Read more about Workers’ Compensation.

Independent Contractor, Self- Employed, and Other Workers

If you’re not a direct employee of the employer then you’re likely a contract worker. In most cases independent contractors are not allowed to collect workers’ comp benefits from the people they work with. However, if the accident happened due to neglect the person who is injured can still pursue compensation. It would be similar to if you were an employee, but instead of a workers’ comp claim we would look at alternative claims, like a Personal Injury Claim.

Accidents Caused by a Co-Worker

If you suffered an accident that was caused by the neglect of a co-worker or another party you can still see compensation for your injuries. We know it might be difficult to file a claim against a co-worker. You might have a good working relationship, or might even be friends. But if negligence caused your injury, and you’re unable to work and provide for yourself or your family – you have a right to seek compensation.

Defective Equipment

If farm and agricultural equipment injuries are the result of defectively designed and/or defectively manufactured equipment, an injured person may pursue a product liability lawsuit. This would be a lawsuit against the company that designed and manufactured the equipment. In some cases, more than one company may be legally responsible for the injuries. One company may design the equipment while another company may manufacture the equipment.

Seeking compensation for injuries sustained in an accident that could have been avoided can be complicated. We commonly see low-ball workers’ compensation, and insurance offers that make recovering from your accident difficult. Talking with a lawyer with experience in farm accidents and agricultural accidents, and what steps to take next should be your first step. Contact our Farm Injury Lawyers 24/7 – (815) 964-8303.

Wrongful Death Claim in a Farming Accident

Under Illinois Law – When a person sustains fatal injuries associated with farm and agricultural equipment, a legal representative of the deceased victim may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Additionally, Illinois workers’ compensation laws allow for surviving family members to receive death benefits. However, because such benefits are often inadequate, many legal representatives of fatally injured loved ones seek the advice and guidance of an Illinois Farm Accident Lawyer.

If you’ve experienced the death of a loved one due to a farming accident call our office so we can help. We can obtain compensation for damages due to pain and suffering, lost wages, lost future income, medical expenses, and in some cases punitive damages.

For more information on how we can help if you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one read more about our Wrongful Death Lawyers and how we can help.

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Is There a Time Limit on Filing Claims Relating to Farm and Agricultural Equipment Injuries?

Time limits on filing legal claims are known as “statutes of limitations,”. Illinois state laws dictate how much time a person has to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries.

Depending on the type of legal claim, the statute of limitations may differ, as identified below:

• Personal Injury Action (735 ILCS 5/13-202): If a farm and agricultural equipment injury lawsuit involves allegations of negligence under Illinois law, the person seeking compensation has two years from the date the cause of action accrues to file a lawsuit, which is typically the date of injury.
• Products Liability Action (735 ILCS 5/13-213): Product liability is commonly for defective or poorly manufactured equipment. If a farm and agricultural equipment injury lawsuit involves product liability the person seeking compensation has two years from the date the person knew or reasonably should have known that the injuries at issue were caused by the defective nature of a product. The date a person knows defective equipment was the cause of the injuries is the day the injuries are sustained for purposes of calculating the statute of limitations.
• Wrongful Death (740 ILCS 180/1): In the event a person’s farm and agricultural equipment injuries are fatal, a legal representative (typically a surviving spouse or adult child) can file a wrongful death lawsuit but must do so no later than two years after the date of the victim’s death.
• Workers’ Compensation (820 ILCS 305/1): Under Illinois workers’ compensation laws, a qualifying injured worker has three years from the date of injury to file a claim seeking benefits.

Like many other states, Illinois has laws that provide exceptions to the statutes of limitations in certain situations, but such exceptions should never be relied upon. Rather, all individuals who sustain injuries and loved ones of fatally injured victims should assume that the general rule applies to their situation. It’s best to talk with an Illinois Farm Accident Lawyer who is experienced and can help determine if you have sufficient time to see legal actions.

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Common Farm Injuries Case Types We’ve Worked On

Farming and agriculture encompass a wide variety of job duties, some of which involve the use of large and heavy equipment. In Illinois, injuries involving the use of such equipment can range from minor to severe or even fatal. Examples of these injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Tractor rollovers;
• Falling off or becoming entangled with a tractor or other mobile machinery;
• Being crushed by equipment;
• Accidents resulting from defectively designed and/or defectively manufactured equipment;
• Accidents resulting from inadequately maintained equipment;
• Electrocution;
• Grain bin fatalities;
• Being struck by falling objects; and
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances.

While the use of farm and agricultural equipment involves some level of risk, many accidents are preventable. Many of these cases we’ve worked on are often linked to negligence, product liability, or a failure to follow state or federal regulations.

We’ve Represented Clients With Various Types of Injuries Resulting From a Farm Accidents

Not surprisingly, farm and agricultural equipment injuries have the potential to be severe, debilitating, permanent, and fatal. Most individuals who suffer injuries require extensive medical treatment that keeps them out of work for many weeks, months, years, or in some cases, permanently. Examples of these severe injuries include, among others, the following:

• Broken, fractured, and/or shattered bones;
• Soft tissue injuries that require surgical intervention (such as gashes or open wounds);
• Internal organ injuries;
• Head injuries, such as skull fractures, concussions, and more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries, which may lead to partial or complete paralysis;
• Amputations;
• Severe infections;
• Injuries associated with the ingestion or inhalation of toxic chemicals or substances emitted from equipment or machinery; and
• Death.

Without question, suffering a fatal farm and agricultural equipment injury in Illinois is the worst possible outcome. For those who feel lucky to be alive, suffering permanent injuries are stressful and disruptive to daily life. This is why many injured individuals have the option of seeking compensation. Let us help you recover.

Contact A Farm Accident & Lawyer For Help

The Law Office of Paul M. Marriett would be happy to speak with you in a free consultation to learn more about your situation and help you understand the types of compensation that may be available. Reach out today toa Rockford personal injury attorney to learn more, you can call or text message us 24/7/365 at 815-391-0089, reach us securely through our home page, or email Paul directly at paul@marriettlegal.com for assistance.

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