Many people assume that operating farming equipment, such as tractors, is similar to operating a motor vehicle, however this is not the case. Manufacturers of this type of equipment do not always design or manufacture these vehicles to be safe and only those that understand how to operate them properly should be behind the wheel.
The National Agricultural Tractor Safety Initiative reports that tractors cause approximately 130 deaths annually, which accounts for 50% of all farmworker deaths. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDL) reports that 44% of farm accidents are due to tractor rollovers—the most common type of tractor accident.
Tractor accidents can cause serious injuries. In addition, these accidents often happen in remote locations which means the injured party likely will wait longer for emergency assistance. The most common injuries sustained in tractor rollovers include:
- Crushing injuries
- Falling injuries
- Entanglement injuries
- Head trauma
- Lacerations
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Death
While tractors are an integral part of the agricultural industry, it is important that they are only used by operators who understand how the tractor works, they follow all manufacturer warnings and safety precautions, and are aware of what safety flaws may be present. However, some risks of tractors are unavoidable—especially in tractors that are older models with outdated safety features.
Farm equipment that is well maintained can last for decades. Newer models have specific safety regulations in place to allow them to be sold in the U.S., including:
- Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS)
- Internal warning systems
- Seat belts
- Guard rails
If an older tractor is used, these safety features are often not in place. Even newer tractor models that are equipped with these safety features may still cause injuries, especially if the ROPS equipment is defective, the equipment functions dangerously than it was intended, and/or the consumer was not properly warned of the risks of using the equipment and the manufacturer knew the tractor or its parts were not labeled properly. And, any farm that does not have a safe ROPS system may be found negligent if a farmworker is injured in a tractor rollover accident.
Agricultural jobs rank as one of the most dangerous in the U.S. The lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer will work with you to help determine whether filing a lawsuit is in your best interest and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one suffered an injury on a farm, contact us today.
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