Working with heavy machinery is a dangerous job and the odds of being hurt while operating heavy machinery are quite significant in nature. Injuries from heavy equipment are usually very serious and can require extensive medical treatment and result in missing a lot of work. In the U.S., most employers are required to offer workers' compensation insurance coverage to employees at no charge. If a worker is hurt on the job, workers' compensation offers medical benefits, covers a portion of lost wages, and help with vocational retraining when and if necessary. If you operate a skidsteer, you could get hurt on the job. What is a Skidsteer? A skid loader or skid-steer loader is a rigid machine that is small. Powered by an engine, this machine has arms that are used to lift. A variety of tools can be attached to those arms. The machine has either four wheels or tracks, dependent upon where it is going to be used. It can be used to move dirt or rock, to lift and move large items such as pallets, and crush down debris or soil and compact it into a more moveable and useable form. Skidsteers are used on excavation and construction sites, and in industrial settings. Operators should undergo extensive training to safely operate the machine. The machine and equipment should undergo routine maintenance and safety inspections as well. What Kind of Injuries Result from Operating a Skidsteer If you operate a skidskeer, there are some specific injuries that might result. While a multitude of things might go wrong, there are some things that are much more likely to happen than others. A skidsteer can overturn, causing serious injuries to the operator who ends up underneath the machine. Also, while moving dirt or rocks it can cause a large pile of material to collapse onto the piece of equipment and injure the machine operator and trap him or her underneath. Injuries that can result from working with a skidsteer include: Fractures Internal Injuries Sprains and Strains Paralysis Spinal Injuries Traumatic Brain Injuries Nerve Injuries Any of these injuries can require lengthy hospitalizations. In the meantime, you will be out of work while you focus on recovering. In many instances, the injured worker cannot return to the same job or might be permanently disabled. In some instances, the worker might benefit from vocational retraining. Consult With a Workers' Compensation Attorney If you have been injured working with a skidsteer while on the job, you should be eligible to claim workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation claims are challenging, so you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney. An attorney can file your claim and aggressively pursue the benefits that you are entitled after suffering a work-related injury. You attorney can apply any denials and fight to have benefits started or reinstated after an on the job injury. The initial case evaluation is free, so schedule an appointment today.
