Defective Agricultural Equipment Cases
Farm accident cases involving defective agricultural equipment are not uncommon. These may occur from improper training, defective farming equipment, missing equipment warnings, inadequate product labeling, and more. If an agriculture worker is injured or killed in a farm accident due to faulty equipment, the claimant may have grounds for a products liability case against the manufacturer.
Recent Award in Defective Agricultural Equipment Case
A dairy farmer in the state of Kansas received an award of $6.47 million in damages by a jury in federal court. The dairy farmer was allegedly struck by a tractor that was used for sowing seeds for crops. It was alleged that the involved agricultural equipment had a defect in the mechanism of the electronic park brake. In October 2020, the plaintiff’s counsel filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the agricultural equipment. In the complaint, there were claims for violation of implied warranty of merchantability, strict liability, and negligence.
In this case, it was stated that the dairy farmer applied the electronic park brake. The system reportedly sounded an audible tone, and icons on the display indicated that the electronic park brake was engaged. In the owner’s manual, it was also stated that it will automatically engage if the tractor operator gets off the seat for over five seconds or at key-off. The tractor allegedly kept moving, hauled the seed drill over the dairy farmer, and came to a rest after crashing into a hedgerow. The dairy farmer sustained severe injuries, including acute respiratory failure, blood loss, and rib fractures.
The dairy farmer was taken by air ambulance to the hospital and was later placed in a medically induced coma. Medical expenses for injuries sustained in the incident totaled almost $1.7 million, the plaintiff’s counsel reported. Members of the jury found that the plaintiff suffered $500,000 in loss of consortium, over $1.47 million in costs of medical care, $1 million in future non-economic damages based on present value, and $3.5 million in non-economic damages to date. Approximately 60 percent of the fault was assigned to the manufacturer and the remainder to the dairy farmer.
What is a Products Liability Case?
Products liability is a type of civil case that holds a manufacturer accountable for putting a faulty or dangerous product on the market that causes harm to a consumer. Tools, appliances, furniture, clothing, toys, auto parts, medical devices, and other goods may contain defects posing safety or health risks for intended consumer use. Companies often shift ethical responsibilities and place profit over safety for reasons such as greed. Shortcuts in the design, manufacturing, or marketing labels of products may compromise consumer safety and lead to injury or death in some extreme cases.
Even if a product contains flaws from the design, manufacturing process, or marketing (e.g., sufficient labeling or warning labeling) does not necessarily mean that a consumer has grounds for a products liability case. The burden of proof is on the claimant to demonstrate that the product was defective, not altered after the original date of purchase, the flaw or inadequate instructions or warning labeling made the product inherently hazardous, and the malfunction was the direct cause of the injury.
Aside from the manufacturer, other parties may be held strictly liable for the sale of faulty products. This may include retailers, wholesalers, and more. There must be clear and compelling evidence demonstrating that the parties engaged in the business of selling the flawed item. Expert witness testimony is useful in establishing liability in these cases. The right attorney will have the resources to work with experts in the field and use expert witness testimony to build a strong case against the defendant for the resulting damages.
Products Liability Cases for Faulty Agricultural Equipment
Manufacturers of farm machinery and equipment have a legal obligation to ensure that the products they create are safe for consumer use. All too often, companies often cut corners in the manufacturing process, and agricultural equipment causes injury to workers. Common types of defects in farm equipment include:
- Design: Unsafe farm equipment design may put farm workers at risk of injury or death. Some examples of flawed design include failed hydraulic hoses and lifts, flawed electronic park brakes, and more.
- Manufacturing: Mistakes during the manufacturing process may cause flaws in the product itself. This may cause the product to fail or break down and potentially lead to an accident while used as intended.
- Marketing: If farm equipment has inadequate warning labeling on the product or necessary instruction manuals, they may be held liable for the marketing or labeling defect.
Holding the parties involved in the manufacturing and distribution of faulty agricultural equipment accountable not only helps the claimant but also deters the defendants from continuing to place harmful products on the market. Successful cases result in recalls of faulty items, which prevent harm to others and discourage the defendant from placing profit over consumer safety.
What Damages Can Be Sought in Defective Agricultural Equipment Cases?
An injured individual or surviving family member may have the right to file a claim against those who are liable for the faulty agricultural equipment that has caused them or others harm. In cases involving injury, the claimant may be compensated for medical bills, pain and suffering, wage loss, and other losses associated with accident-related injuries. In cases where wrongful death occurs, the survivors of the deceased may seek reimbursement of final resting arrangements, loss of companionship, mental anguish, loss of financial support, and other losses associated with their loved one’s unexpected death.
Why You Need an Attorney for a Products Liability Case
Most injured parties and surviving family members have enough on their plate, and adding the legal process to the equation may make matters even more challenging to overcome. As such, it is essential to retain legal counsel as soon as possible who can use their experience, resources, and knowledge in a California products liability case to:
- Conduct an in-depth investigation into the matter and collect evidence to demonstrate the other side’s liability
- Work with experts in the field to prove liability and determine the total losses, including economic and non-economic losses
- Handle all verbal and written communication and negotiation with other parties involved in the case to reach a mutual settlement agreement
- Be fully prepared to take the case to court if necessary to obtain maximum financial recovery for the client
A California products liability lawyer with the knowledge, skills, and resources will make all the difference in the outcome of a case. If an attorney is involved early enough in the matter, the claimant does not have to worry about anything other than being with their family and recovering from the harm. They can allow their lawyer to handle the rest.
Products Liability Lawyer in Sacramento
If you have been injured or lost a family member due to a farm accident, our legal team at AutoAccident.com encourages you to contact us for a free case review. Our Sacramento products liability lawyers can assist you with the next steps in bringing a defective agricultural equipment case. Call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice on your potential case today. Our law office operates on contingency, which means that attorney’s fees will only be due if there is a favorable result.
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