What to Do If You’re Hurt by Faulty Equipment on the Job

Workplace injuries that are caused by faulty machinery or equipment are more common than most people think. From construction sites and factories to warehouses, hospitals, and offices, employees rely on machinery and equipment to do their jobs safely. When that equipment doesn't work as it is supposed to, the consequences can be extremely serious or even deadly.

In Ohio, workers who are injured by faulty equipment often have to deal with serious injuries, lost wages, and many don't know what to do. Knowing about your rights and what steps to take following this type of injury is extremely important to protecting your health and your workers' compensation benefits.

Here, we explain what to do if you're hurt by faulty equipment on the job and how Larrimer & Larrimer can help.

Common Types of Faulty Equipment That Cause Workplace Accidents

Injuries caused by defective equipment can happen in almost any industry. Equipment doesn't need to be large or industrial to be dangerous. Even common workplace tools can cause harm if they fail.

Examples of equipment that may cause injuries in a workplace include:

• Heavy machinery such as forklifts, presses, conveyors, and cranes

• Power tools including saws, drills, grinders, and nail guns

• Safety equipment like harnesses, guards, or protective gear that fails

• Ladders, scaffolding, and lifts

• Office equipment such as chairs, filing cabinets, or electrical devices

• Medical and industrial devices used in healthcare or manufacturing

These injuries may be caused by design defects, manufacturing errors, poor maintenance, missing safety guards, improper repairs, or employee negligence. In many cases, more than one party will share responsibility for the unsafe condition.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention After the Injury

The most important step after being injured by faulty equipment is seeking medical care. Even if the injury does not initially seem severe, equipment-related accidents often involve crushing forces, falls, or sudden impacts that can cause internal injuries or delayed symptoms.

Prompt medical treatment serves two critical purposes. First, it protects the injured worker’s health and reduces the risk of complications. Second, it creates medical documentation linking the injury to the workplace incident, which is essential in a workers’ compensation claim.

For emergencies, treatment should be obtained at an emergency room or urgent care facility. For non-emergency injuries, a medical appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can raise questions about whether the injury is work-related and may complicate the claim.

What to Do Following an Equipment Accident When on the Job

Report the Injury to the Employer Immediately

Ohio law requires any injured worker to notify their employer of a workplace injury. This is very important to remember when there is equipment involved, as the employer may need to remove or secure the equipment to prevent any further injuries.

The injury report should include the following:

• The date, time, and location of the accident

• A description of the equipment involved

• How the injury occurred

• The parts of the body that were injured

When filling out the report, it's important to stick to the facts and avoid any speculation about who is at fault or responsible. It's also very important to not minimize the injury by saying things like, "I'm okay," or "It doesn't hurt that bad."

When possible, the report of the injury should be made in writing, and the injured worker should keep a copy for their records. This also will be helpful if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit or a product liability lawsuit.

Preserve the Equipment and Document the Scene

When an injury is caused by malfunctioning equipment, the evidence around the incident becomes very important. If the equipment is repaired, altered, or thrown out after the incident, it can be very difficult to prove what happened.

If possible, the injured worker or a representative should:

• Take photographs or videos of the equipment

• Document visible defects, broken parts, or missing safety guards

• Record the location and condition of the equipment

• Identify witnesses who saw the accident or were familiar with the equipment

In some cases, an employer will quickly repair or replace faulty equipment. It's understandable in some cases, like for safety, but it can also eliminate important evidence. If you document the scene early, you can often get the evidence necessary for a workers' comp claim.

File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Ohio

Most workers who are injured by faulty equipment are eligible to file a workplace injury claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, or BWC. Ohio has a no-fault system in place, which means that an injured worker doesn't have to prove employer negligence to get benefits in most cases.

The injured worker, the employer, or the treating physician can file the claim, but it should include detail about the injury, what type of equipment was involved, and the medical diagnosis. The BWC will review the claim during the workers' compensation claim process, and they approve or deny it.

If the state's workers' compensation board approves the claim, benefits may include:

• Medical expenses due to treatment related to the injury

• Temporary total disability benefits for lost wages

• Wage-loss compensation if returning to lower-paying work

• Permanent partial or total disability benefits in severe cases

Follow Medical Restrictions and Treatment Plans

Following an injury, making sure to follow medical advice is very important. Workers' comp benefits depend on the injured employee following medical advice, treatment, and restrictions. An injured worker should:

• Attend all medical appointments

• Follow physical therapy or rehabilitation plans

• Take prescribed medications as directed

• Adhere strictly to work restrictions based on medical records

Going back to work too early or doing tasks that are outside of the medical restrictions can make injuries worse and jeopardize benefits. If an employer offers light or modified duty, it must comply with the doctor's restrictions.

Understand Light-Duty and Return-to-Work Issues

Many employers will offer light-duty or modified work to employees on workers' compensation following a workplace injury caused by faulty equipment. They do this to reduce the benefits they pay. In some cases, light-duty work can be beneficial to everyone, however, it cannot exceed medical limitations.

If a person goes back to work on light-duty and they feel pain, aggravate their injury, or exceed restrictions, the worker should notify the employer and their doctor.

Sometimes, disputes occur because of this, and in this case, personal injury claims may be the only solution. In these situations, a personal injury lawyer should be consulted. They can advise on what to do if you slip and fall at work.

Third-Party Liability in Faulty Equipment Cases

While workers' comp typically prevents an employee from suing their employer, there are cases where a lawsuit is more than appropriate. This is especially true when faulty equipment is involved.

If the injury was caused by a design flaw, the manufacturing process, or during distribution, an experienced attorney can help the worker file a product liability claim. This allows injured workers to seek compensation from the responsible parties. These include:

• Equipment manufacturers

• Parts suppliers

• Maintenance contractors

• Vendors or distributors

Third-party claims are separate from workers’ compensation and may allow recovery for damages not available under workers’ comp, such as pain and suffering. These cases are complex and require careful investigation. For help with filing a claim, a work injury lawyer in Columbus may be able to advise.

Common Injuries Caused by Faulty Equipment

Equipment-related accidents often result in serious injuries, including:

• Fractures and crush injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Amputations

• Burns or electrical injuries

• Repetitive stress injuries from malfunctioning tools

These injuries can lead to long-term disability, permanent work restrictions, or the inability to return to the same occupation. On top of that, you will begin to get immediate medical bills. For that, you deserve fair compensation. Workers' compensation covers most injured workers in these cases, but for some, legal assistance is necessary.

Employer Responsibilities and Safety Obligations

Employers in Ohio are responsible for workplace safety. This includes ensuring equipment is working properly, providing training, and ensuring things like safety guards and protective devices are in place.

When employers fail to address known equipment hazards, injuries are more likely to occur. While workers’ compensation typically covers the injury, employer safety violations may still be relevant in certain claims, including additional compensation or intentional tort cases in rare circumstances.

When to Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Injuries caused by faulty equipment often involve complex issues, including disputed claims, denied benefits, light-duty conflicts, or potential third-party liability. Legal guidance can be especially important when:

• A claim is denied or delayed

• The employer disputes the cause of the injury

• Light-duty work exceeds medical restrictions

• Benefits are reduced or terminated

• A defective product may be involved

An experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney can help gather evidence, communicate with the BWC, protect benefits, and identify all available legal options.

Protecting Your Rights After an Equipment-Related Workplace Injury

Being injured by faulty equipment can be overwhelming. Medical treatment, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future can place enormous stress on injured workers and their families.

Ohio’s workers’ compensation system provides important protections, but those protections are not automatic. Injured workers must take timely and careful steps to protect their rights.

Larrimer & Larrimer has decades of experience representing injured workers throughout Columbus and Central Ohio. When a workplace injury involves faulty equipment, knowledgeable legal representation can make a critical difference in securing benefits and protecting long-term health and financial stability.

If questions arise after an equipment-related injury on the job, seeking experienced legal guidance early can help ensure that rights are protected and benefits are preserved.