New Jersey Attorneys for Victims with Farm Equipment Accident Injuries

Farm equipment requires knowledge and experience to use correctly, but even when that happens, there is sometimes an accident. These machines are enormous and weigh thousands of pounds. Farmers use trucks, hay balers, combines, harvesters, mowers, tractors, augers, spreaders, and other machinery daily, posing a threat that could mean serious injuries or fatalities.
Farmers, their workers, and visitors are susceptible to a farm’s inherent dangers, including heavy equipment and exposure to dangerous chemicals. According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021, between 2016 and 2021, the total number of fatal injuries was 934, and the national average of fatal farming equipment accidents was 157. Non-fatal disabling accidents throughout the nation totaled nearly 200,000 last year, some of them children.
Farm work involves various hazards that workers should be aware of to ensure safety. When accidents caused by farm equipment result in injuries for you or someone you love, our dedicated team of experienced injury attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson and specialized investigators, will conduct a comprehensive investigation into your accident. Our legal team fights for compensation on behalf of farming accident victims throughout Mercer County, Middlesex County, Burlington County, and New Jersey. Contact us today for a free consultation at (609) 528-2596 to discuss your case.
Dangerous Farm Equipment Often Involved in Accidents
#1. Tractor Accidents
Tractors can cause severe injuries when they roll over, crush, or run over someone. Newer tractors have a cab that can protect the driver in a rollover, but smaller or older ones leave the driver exposed. Tractors do not have seat belts, roll bars, or other guards to limit injuries in case of an accident. Rollover accidents by tractors are the most common cause of fatalities among farm workers. Less than 35% of tractors nationwide use protective structures for the operator. Closed-in tractor cabins are prohibitively expensive, especially for smaller farms.
#2. Harvester / Combine Accidents
Harvesters (also known as combines) have three purposes: to cut the crops, thresh them by loosening the grain from the stalk, and separate the grain from its covering, called the chaff. The seeds go into a storage tank, carried through a large pipe called an unloader, and shot into a trailer beside the combine. A combine can be dangerous farm equipment with all its moving parts and machinery.
Any piece of equipment that rolls or spins can cause an operator or farmhand to become entangled in the moving parts due to loose clothing, a slip from above or beside the moving parts, or a fall directly into the moving parts. Falls from equipment, malfunctioning, or a lack of machine maintenance can lead to dangerous circumstances.
#3. Auger Accidents
Augers have a metal blade in a spiral configuration attached to a metal shaft known as a “flight.” Also known as a screw conveyor, an auger can transport grain, legumes, and other dry materials from an intake tube to an outtake tube placed in the unit to be used for storage. Augers can also transport the product from storage into a truck or container.
#4. Hayride Accidents
Even something as benign as a hayride can cause injuries to the driver or the riders. Hayrides are common amusements for those looking to enjoy a bit of the outdoors. However, they can be dangerous if the trailer’s mechanical failures cause it to become unhitched or fall apart. Some hayride operators do not properly train their drivers, cutting corners and putting passengers at risk.
Root Causes that Contribute to Farm Equipment Injuries
Old or defective equipment can cause serious injuries. Loose parts can become dislodged and strike a worker. Older equipment does not fit the necessary safety features, or shields and other protective gear have fallen and need replacing. Similarly, machinery that has been improperly repaired or not received regular maintenance is an accident waiting to happen. Using old parts or substituting the proper ones with a cheaper fix is dangerous and irresponsible.
Farmhands who are inadequately trained and lack proper training or supervision can have preventable accidents. A lack of safety training and standards in the work environment contributes to dangerous working conditions for which the farm owners could be liable. Lastly, the negligence of other parties can cause farm equipment injuries, whether it is from manufacturers who make defective equipment or a third party carelessly driving a truck or motor vehicle.
Other Common Hazards in Farm Work that May Lead to Injuries
Although not machinery-related, farmers’ exposure to toxic chemicals is just as deadly. Pesticides (against insects), herbicides (weed killers), and fungicides (to fight mold or mushrooms) are used to protect the crops. Many products are sold to farmers as “safe, ” resulting in illnesses and even death. Additionally, all chemicals used must be handled in a specific way to avoid intoxication, chemical burns, respiratory distress, and, in cases of repeated exposure, cancer.
Legal Remedies for Farm Worker Injuries in New Jersey
All companies in New Jersey, even those with one employee, are required to carry a workers’ compensation policy that must cover seasonal and undocumented workers. Independent contractors are excluded from coverage. Third-party injury lawsuits, such as those against the property owners or manufacturers, are another legal option. These legal actions can offer compensation, including lost wages, medical expenses, disability benefits, and pain and suffering.
Suffered Injuries in a Farm Equipment Accident in NJ? Call our Lawyers to Fight for Compensation
At Cohen & Riechelson, our primary concern is getting the settlement you deserve for your injuries. If you are injured in a farming accident in Titusville, Princeton, Trenton, Lawrence, Hamilton, Hopewell, Mercer County, Burlington County, Middlesex County, or elsewhere in New Jersey, we can navigate the process with you, completing the requirements and deadlines with the valuable information you need to achieve the best possible outcome. Our focus is ensuring you receive the best care and are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Our team of farm injury attorneys will meticulously investigate your accident, building your case with all the evidence to be presented in support of your financial recovery. With our years of experience, our legal team will clearly demonstrate who was at fault, whether it be your employer, a third party, or both.
Our goal is to get you fair compensation for your injuries, and if that means taking your case to court, we will be more than ready to do so. If you have had a farm equipment accident and have been injured as a result, and would like information regarding your rights to be compensated for your injuries, call us today at (609) 528-2596 or contact us online.