What Compensation Could I Get After a Farming Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a farming accident, learning more about how to recover compensation for your damages is critical. Too often, accident victims take negligent parties and insurance companies at their word, failing to understand or protect their right to compensation.

How much compensation you can recover for your farm injuries depends entirely on the details of your situation, the damages you have sustained, and your ability to prove another party’s negligence.

It is important to understand what compensation you may be able to seek and who, exactly, the responsible parties are. We recommend discussing your claim with a Houston farm injuries attorney to make sure you aren’t leaving any money on the table.

At Patrick Daniel Law, we are Strategic. Meticulous. Merciless. We know what it takes to win a farming accident claim, and we’re here to ensure you have the legal support you need to protect your rights. To discuss your claim with us, call today at (713) 999-6666 to schedule a FREE consultation. We represent victims of farm injuries in Houston and throughout Texas.

Why Is Farming Dangerous?

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America. In fact, its broader category—agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting—has the highest death rate per 100,000 workers, according to the National Safety Council.

There are several reasons for this, including:

• Dangerous, heavy machinery & tools
• Long hours that increase the risk of mistakes
• Few safety regulations in farm operations
• Exposure to chemicals & the elements

These factors combine to create dangerous situations that can be made much worse when someone is negligent.

What Are the Most Common Kinds of Accidents Involving Farm Equipment?

Most serious farming accidents involve farm equipment. Some of the most common incidents include:

• Tractor rollovers
• Caught-in/crushed-by accidents
• Equipment malfunctions (e.g., faulty electrical system causing burns)
• Grain silo accidents (suffocation & crushing)
• Chemical exposure (from tank leaks or explosions)
• Entanglements with moving parts (like augers or belts)

While these types of farm equipment accidents can be caused by user error, they can also result from negligence on the part of someone else. In situations where another party is liable for the accident, whether that be a parts manufacturer or an employer, you are generally eligible to recover compensation for your damages.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Farm Injuries?

If you believe you have a viable claim for compensation, calculating how much you should seek starts with understanding what damages you may qualify for. Damages typically fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the direct and indirect financial losses you endure as a result of a farming accident. These damages may include:

• Inpatient care
• ER visits
• Surgeries
• Rehabilitation
• Medication
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Costs of replacement services (e.g., lawncare, childcare, cleaning services, etc.)

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, cover the mental and psychological effects of an accident and injuries. These can include:

• Pain & suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Psychological trauma (including PTSD, anxiety, or depression)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship or consortium

It’s important, with both economic and non-economic damages, to consider the immediate expenses and losses you’ve suffered and your long-term damages. For instance, the pain and suffering associated with long-term loss of enjoyment of life should be taken into account, not just the short-term implications.

Further, in rare cases, farm accident victims may be awarded punitive damages if the case goes to trial and the court decides the negligent party’s actions were grossly negligent or malicious. This additional compensation is meant to punish the negligent party and deter similar behavior in the future.

Who’s Liable for a Farming Equipment Accident?

Several parties can be fully or partially liable for a farm equipment accident. They include:

• Farm Owners or Employers: If a farm owner fails to maintain machinery or provide appropriate training and safety equipment, they could be liable for damages if an accident occurs. Work injury cases can be quite complex. We recommend discussing your situation with an agricultural accident attorney before deciding on the best path forward.
• Manufacturers or Distributors: If a manufacturer or distributor produces or sells defective equipment, you could have grounds for a product liability claim. These claims are typically based on design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to provide adequate warnings.
• Maintenance or Repair Companies: If a company is responsible for maintaining and servicing equipment, any act of negligence on their behalf that leads to an accident and subsequent damages could mean they are ultimately responsible.
• Other Parties: Others that could be held negligent include property owners, other workers or contractors, equipment dealers, rental companies, and more.

It’s also important to recognize that multiple parties could share liability for an accident. For instance, what if a tractor crashes because a worn-out brake system wasn’t fixed by the farm owner and the replacement part installed by a repair technician was defective? In this case, both the farm owner and the parts manufacturer could be held responsible.

Ultimately, the important thing is that you have the capability to build a strong case against the responsible party so that you can recover the compensation you deserve.

Can I Get Fair Compensation Without an Attorney?

While you are not required to hire an attorney to represent you in farm injury claims, there are several reasons why it may be in your best interest.

Some of the most significant include:

• The other party’s insurance company will fight your claim and try to pay out as little compensation as possible. A lawyer can handle communications and negotiations skillfully on your behalf.
• Proving product liability or improper maintenance can be very complex and requires a thorough, time-consuming investigation. An attorney can take this on for you, including gathering evidence, working with experts, and more.
• There are many different local, state, and federal laws involved in farming accidents that you’ll need to be aware of. An experienced Houston farm injury lawyer will understand these rules and regulations and how they apply to your claim.
• There are deadlines when pursuing compensation from a negligent party. A lawyer can ensure you file paperwork appropriately and on time to avoid mistakes that could damage your claim.

Working with an experienced farm equipment injury lawyer can help simplify the process and give you peace of mind. You’ll know that your rights are being protected by a legal team that can build a strong claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in a court of law, if that’s what it takes to get just compensation.

Contact Patrick Daniel Law Today for a FREE Consultation

Facing the aftermath of a serious farming accident can be overwhelming and exhausting. You deserve compensation for your farm injuries, but the process to get that can be complicated. Don’t take this on alone when Patrick Daniel Law is here to help.

With our experience, determination, and understanding of the laws, rules, and regulations surrounding accidents on farms, we can pursue fair compensation on your behalf while you heal and adjust. To get started with a FREE consultation, contact our Houston farm equipment injury lawyer today to discuss the details of your claim.