Forestry Job Accident and Work Injury Lawyer Help

Like other jobs in the agricultural sector such as farming and fishing, forestry is a very dangerous occupation. While machinery is the leading cause of deaths in the general agricultural sector, a forestry accident is most common during logging activities. There were 108 deaths per 100,000 forestry workers in 2008 due to defective or unsafe logging machinery and equipment, logging truck accidents, and logs rolling over workers.

Accidents in Forestry Jobs

being crushed by falling tress
being caught in heavy ropes and cables
being cut by chain saws
being exposed to an abiotic injury like pesticides in trees, plants, soil, and surface waters

How a Lawyer Can Help

If you suffer a forestry accident while on the job, you need to consult a work injury lawyer. There will be several legal issues that must be reviewed:

Is the worker covered by state workers' compensation?

In some states, agricultural workers, including forestry workers, are not covered by workers' compensation. This is especially true for migrant and seasonal workers.

Is there a possible claim against a third party for negligently causing the injury or death?

In order to determine third party liablity, A forestry accident lawyer will need to investigate if equipment involved in the injury or death was defective or if chemical manufacturers failed to worn of potential hazards of their use if an abiotic injury was involved

Keep in mind that landowners and loggers may also be liable for violations of state agricultural licensing, pesticide laws, OSHA and EPA regulations. For example, in some states, loggers must be licensed to treat tree stumps with herbicides and follow safety requirements. Failure to do so can lead to injuries to the employees, the environment, and other exposed humans.

A work injury lawyer may be needed to determine not only if the employee is entitled to compensation for a work accident, but also if the employee may be liable for violating environmental laws and regulations.

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