Injured by Faulty Equipment at Work? When the Company May Be Liable

Injured by Faulty Equipment at Work? When the Company May Be Liable

Faulty or poorly maintained equipment can turn a routine workday into the aftermath of a preventable disaster. These incidents rarely happen without warning. They often stem from poor maintenance, ignored warning signs, or rushed repairs. In some cases, employers are responsible for this kind of negligence.

When Employers Are Responsible for Faulty Equipment

Employers can face legal responsibility if they fail to keep work equipment safe. A company might be liable if it skips maintenance checks, brushes off repair requests, or allows unqualified workers to handle complex machinery without proper training. Employer liability can also arise if supervisors remove safety guards to speed up production or fail to replace recalled tools. Each of these choices puts workers at risk. If a company knows about a hazard but expects workers to continue using unsafe equipment, it leaves itself exposed to substantial legal and financial consequences.

Signs an Employer Might Have Violated Safety Standards

Employers in Georgia must follow strict safety rules when their workers use heavy machinery or powered tools. Ignoring those rules can lead to preventable injuries. Workers should watch for the following warning signs that suggest a company has cut corners or ignored known hazards:

• Missing or out-of-date maintenance logs
• Machines with missing or broken safety guards
• Visible damage or warning lights on equipment
• Lack of regular safety inspections
• Inadequate worker training
• Ignored reports of malfunctioning tools or unsafe conditions
• Bypassed lockout or tagout procedures
• Use of recalled or unapproved equipment
• Lack of personal protective gear near hazardous machinery
• Frequent near-miss incidents involving the same machines

Employer vs. Third-Party Liability

An equipment-related injury case can involve more than one responsible party. If a machine left the factory with a defect, the manufacturer could share blame. If a service contractor failed to perform proper maintenance on the equipment, that contractor could also be liable. Employer negligence in the form of poor oversight or unsafe work rules can compound these risks.

However, workers can usually only sue their employers in rare cases involving injuries that stem from intentional malice or extreme misconduct. In most cases, employees must rely on workers’ compensation for recovery, even if their employers are at fault.

Workers’ Compensation and Faulty Equipment Claims

Workers’ compensation in Georgia covers most work injuries caused by equipment failures. It pays for injured employees’ medical bills and replaces a portion of their lost wages. If a defective product, contractor error, or supplier issue causes a work accident, the injured worker might also have grounds for a personal injury claim, which can yield a broader range of compensation. Combining these claims can make a major difference in a worker’s total financial recovery.

What To Do After an Equipment-Related Injury at Work

Here’s what you should do to protect your health and your ability to recover compensation if you get hurt because of faulty equipment at work in Georgia:

• Report the injury to your supervisor as soon as it happens. Make sure your employer files a report about the incident, and ask for a copy.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment.
• Take photos or videos of the equipment, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Avoid using or returning the equipment until someone inspects it.
• Write down details about how the equipment failed and what you were doing at the time. Get contact information for anyone who saw the accident happen.
• Contact a workplace injury lawyer in Georgia to discuss your legal options. Do not sign or agree to anything from your employer or their insurer until your attorney reviews it.

Contact a Workplace Injury Lawyer

If faulty equipment caused your injury at work, you deserve answers and fair compensation. The work injury lawyers at Kaufman Injury Law can review your case, identify who is responsible, and explain your options for recovery. Contact our law firm today to arrange your free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward after a workplace injury.