A farm accident is any type of disaster that injures a victim while on a farm, such as a cattle ranch or crop farm. Farm accidents can cause serious injuries. At Hall Law P.A., our lawyers represent victims of St. Cloud farm accidents. We will help you protect your rights, seek justice and obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Call (800) 292-1979 today to request a free consultation.

Common Examples of Minnesota Farm Accidents

Farming is a major industry in Minnesota, leading the U.S. in annual farm income. Unfortunately, it is not the safest profession. In 2019, farm tractors and equipment alone caused 16 injuries, four of which were serious. Working on a farm already comes with many inherent risks. Negligent, or reckless behavior by an employer or another person further increases those risks for workers. Some hazards that cause worker injuries in St. Cloud include:

  • Tractor and heavy machinery rollovers
  • ATV accidents
  • Caught-in or between pieces of equipment
  • Missing machine guards (defective equipment)
  • Missing equipment warnings or labels
  • Silo accidents and suffocation
  • Ladder falls
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Animal-related injuries
  • Puncture wounds from sharp tools
  • Heat strokes
  • Repetitive motion or overexertion injuries
  • Illnesses due to pesticides

Every year, serious farm accidents injure and kill many farmworkers, and most often, they are related to human errors. Mistakes such as lack of worker training, no safety equipment, dangerous premises and defective products contribute to thousands of farm accidents annually. If a preventable error caused your Minnesota farm accident, someone may owe you compensation.

Do You Need an Attorney?

You may not have to hire an attorney or prove liability for your accident if you file for workers’ compensation benefits. You can receive workers’ compensation even without proof of fault, negligence or a breach of duty. You may not recover as much money, however, as you would in a personal injury lawsuit in Minnesota. If you believe someone’s negligence caused your accident, contact an attorney for assistance with a liability claim instead. An experienced lawyer can help you go up against the defendant’s insurance company during a lawsuit.

Who May Be Liable for a St. Cloud Farm Accident?

Liability is the legal term for responsibility for an accident and a victim’s related injuries. If someone is liable for an accident, it means he or she must pay damages for related losses, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. In general, the party liable for an accident and injury in Minnesota will be the person or entity accountable for causing the accident. This could include:

  • Owner or manager of the farm
  • Employer
  • Supervisor
  • Coworker or contractor
  • Property owner
  • Product manufacturer or distributor
  • Farm equipment manufacturer
  • Equipment maintenance crew
  • Animal owner
  • The government (for accidents on public property)

Holding someone liable in Minnesota requires clear and convincing evidence of that person’s breach of the accepted duties of care. A breach of duty refers to failing to take proper care. Keep in mind, however, that you will not need to prove fault if you choose to accept a workers’ comp settlement instead. The choice will come down to which route is in your best interest – something a lawyer can help you determine.

Contact Our St. Cloud Farm Accident Attorneys Today

Before you settle for workers’ compensation for a farm accident in St. Cloud, contact the attorneys at Hall Law P.A. for a free case evaluation. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be eligible for compensation directly from the at-fault party. Call us directly at (800) 292-1979 or contact us online. Our farm accident attorneys are here to help.