Farm Accident Compensation Claims
Farming is not exactly one of the most comfortable fields of work out there – you’ll be surprised to learn how many accidents agricultural workers experience each year. Workers in the agricultural industry are at higher risk because of the nature of their work, which includes working with unpredictable animals, using heavy machinery, and the sheer distance their farm workplaces are from medical facilities.
Farming accidents are caused by a number of different factors. It's hard to point a finger at one reason. It can either be faulty machinery and loose screws, or it can be toxic or a bio-hazardous substances.
While farming accidents cannot be predicted, they can be compensated. The injured farm employee can hire compensation lawyers and claim injury compensation insurance for their injuries caused as part of their personal injury claims.
If you need more information about the farm accident compensation scheme, or making workers' claims, you can obtain unbiased legal advice from a reputable legal professional. We offer a ‘No Win. No Fee. No Catch’® promise, which means there are no upfront costs and you will never be left out of pocket.
In the rare and unlikely event that your case goes to court, and you are unsuccessful, your costs will be covered by us - so you won't have to pay a cent to us or anyone else. We are proud to say that in over 25 years, we have never had a client out of pocket.
Talk with an experienced workers comp lawyer to learn more.
Common Causes of Injury on a Farm
The agricultural worker is entitled to receive a farm accident compensation only in certain cases. For one, they must prove that his injuries were caused on a farm.
Secondly, they should be able to prove certain kinds of injuries – because, under the personal injury law, not all of them warrant a compensation insurance claim.
According to personal injury law, only the injuries caused by the following reasons are acceptable to claim the injury compensation insurance for farm accidents.
Accidents Involving Farm Machinery
Farming utilizes huge farm machinery, and the mechanical power used also comes with deadly risks associated with several types of farming accidents.
Agricultural machinery has a history of causing workplace accidents such as:
- Crush injuries
- Wiring entanglements
Farm Injuries Caused By Dangerous Livestock
Unlike other accidents, injuries resulting from encountering dangerous livestock are less frequent – but if they happen, a claim can often brought. Usually, farm animals are domestic in nature, but even domesticated animals can cause several animal-related injuries such as:
- Cognitive Brain Diseases
- Lung diseases restricting your airway passage
- Skin diseases
- Various fatal bacterial and viral infections
Lung Diseases or Illnesses Caused by Exposure To Dangerous Chemicals and Dust
High impact accidents are frequent in the workplace. Whether it's a motor vehicle accident involving cars, trucks, or smaller vehicles like forklifts, they can result in serious occupational and industrial diseases and injuries.
Workers who fall victim to these are often eligible to claim compensation. Workers who operate industrial machines are also at risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries. When workers get some part of their body entangled in industrial machines, it can result in dislocations, fractures, and in extreme cases amputations.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
High impact accidents are frequent in the workplace. Whether it's a motor vehicle accident involving tractors, trucks, or smaller vehicles like forklifts, they can result in serious occupational and industrial diseases and injuries. Workers who fall victim to these are often eligible to claim compensation.
Workers who operate industrial machines are also at risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries. When workers get some part of their body entangled in industrial machines, it can result in dislocations, crush injuries, and in extreme cases amputations. Such workers may be entitled to workers' compensation.
Find out more about making a motor vehicle compensation claim.
Injury Caused By Objects Falling From Heights
Heavy objects, and even farm workers themselves, falling from heights is a way that the agricultural industry presents risks for it's workers; incidents from scaling sky-high machinery, climbing barns, performing tree surgeries, and standing on silos are included.
Negligence
The chances of a farm accident can drastically increase if the employer is negligent and fails to provide protective gear, maintain proper safety precautions, and ensure machinery is well maintained and replaced when needed.
The low ventilation, lack of oxygen, heat stress, dehydration all contribute to injuries caused by negligence.
Can I Claim Compensation For My Farm Injury?
If you're a farm-worker who wishes to claim injury compensation, here's a few pieces of legal advice you should know.·
- Claiming farm accident compensation is a strict legal obligation, and can be verified by multiple authorities
- The intention, negligence, and pre-planning of the accident is verified by the authorities
- Usually, the compensation claim is directed towards the farm owner (the employer), who is blamed for his negligent behavior
- A farm accident compensation can only be claimed within a certain time limit, and delaying might take away your option of the insurance claim
What Evidence is Required to Make a Farm Injury Claim?
If you're operating heavy machinery in Australian farms and have suffered an injury at your place of employment, you can sue your employer in certain circumstances.
For a working farmer or a farming employee to claim for accident compensation, they must authenticate their injuries. This requires you to have evidence to, firstly, prove that your injuries are real and, secondly, to prove that they were caused on the farm premises.
Here are a few things you'll need as evidence.
- An accident report that identifies your farm injuries
- A hospital bill of medical treatment given to you
- A few photos of the injury and the accident scene
- Details of the cause of the accident – whether it was a machine or an anime - along with its picture
- Any witnesses to confirm your farm accident
- A video or CCTV footage if available
If you're looking for more information about the claims or insurance that you or your team is entitled to, or wondering if your injury warrants lump sum compensation claims, give us a call. We offer free consultation legal services and will let you know your compensation payout, medical costs, and the claim that you're entitled to for free! However, the first thing you should do before you claim workers' compensation is to seek medical treatment for your injury as soon as possible.
How Long Do I Have To Make My Claim For My Farm Injury?
The compensation insurance claim abides by the strict law of time limits. In circumstances like broken limbs, lacerations, or head injuries, you can claim within 3 years of your accident date.
For circumstances that are harder to diagnose like heart disease or cancer, you'll get the benefits of having more than 3 years time limitation.
What Are The Average Payouts For Farm Accident Injuries?
The average payout that you can receive for your injuries sustained within the farm premises usually depends on the damages caused to your health.
You can claim compensation for burns, painful wounds, loss of amenity, insufferable attacks, and traumatic experiences. Additionally, you can also claim a special damage payout that compensates for your loss of income, or medical expenditures. Healthcare costs are also compensated for long-term injuries or illnesses.
Lodge A "No Win No Fee" Claim
If you suffer injuries whilst at work, and you are looking for further information in terms of making a claim. Here at Smith's Lawyers, we offer a free consultation for injured people looking to seek compensation. As mentioned before, we also have a "No Win. No Fee. No Catch." policy, which means you will never be out of pocket.
Get in touch with us today to give yourself the best opportunity to understand your rights.
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