I’m Ed Smith, a Merced farming accident injury attorney. Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and the sources of injury on farms are endless. Many of the serious injuries and deaths, however, are caused by basic farming implements, used daily on thousands of farms across the United States. Hay choppers are one such implement responsible for several devastating accidents each year.
What is a Hay Chopper?
A hay chopper is a device used to cut long stems or pieces of material into smaller pieces for animal feed or bedding. They are often comprised of two or more rotating blades in the inner part, with a long chute to put material to be cut into the device. Some are stationary devices while others are mobile, allowing them to operate much like a lawn mower.
Common Hay Chopper Accidents
Hay chopper accidents usually occur in one of two ways: a person is run over by a hay chopper or a person falls into a hay chopper. In the first type of accidents, the hay choppers are mobile devices and the victims are either the hay chopper operators or other farm workers working in the same area. A man from Fennimore, Wisconsin was actually killed on 22 June when his hay chopper moved forward unexpectedly and ran over him.
Accidents where a person falls into a hay chopper are the less common type of accident, but no less serious. In these accidents, unsafe working conditions can result in workers falling into the hay choppers. In 2002, a man in Washington state actually died when he fell head first into his hay chopper due to unknown circumstances. That is an example of the most severe types of these accidents, but minor accidents can be similarly devastating to workers.
Injuries Typical of Hay Chopper Accidents
Just as hay chopper accidents occur in one of two ways, hay chopper injuries are usually caused by one of two things: the blades on the chopper or the tires of a mobile chopper. Blade injuries are often severe lacerations, but may be traumatic amputations. In 2013, a Roanoke, Kentucky man lost both of his legs after a hay chopper malfunction drew his legs into the machine. Despite the hazards of the rotating blades, though, the tires of a mobile hay chopper are far more likely to cause injury.
The bulk of a hay chopper-caused injuries are caused by a hay chopper’s tires. These are cases where the victim is run over by the chopper, often resulting in severe leg injuries, including fractured ankles and fractured femurs. Other extremity injuries to the hands and arms may also result.
More Hay Chopper Injuries
On 5 July 2016, a man in Bad Axe, Michigan experienced these types of injuries when he severely injured his leg while attempting to get on a moving hay chopper: the man missed a step, slipped, and was run over by the rear tire of the hay chopper. He severely injured his one leg, breaking several bones and compromising blood flow to much of the limb, risking amputation.
Who May be Liable?
Like many farming accidents, the people liable for injuries can be very diverse. Farm owners are the most likely persons to be liable for damages or worker’s compensation benefits, but device manufacturers may also be liable. This creates the opportunity for lawsuits when hay choppers malfunction and people are severely injured or even killed. .
Merced Farming Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced farming accident attorney. If you or someone you love has been hurt or tragically killed in a farming related accident, please call me anytime at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for fast, free and friendly advice.
Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
See a list of my client reviews on Yelp, Avvo and Google.
Please take a moment to review a list of my Past Verdicts and Settlements.
:KW