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What are the top 5 most common injuries for agricultural workers in South Carolina? That depends on whether you are discussing fatal or nonfatal (or personal) injuries. While statistics are not available specific to South Carolina, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most common nonfatal agricultural injuries nationwide are as follows:
- “Contact with objects or equipment,” such as getting caught beneath or behind heavy machinery
- Slip or trip and fall accidents
- “Overexertion,” such as when workers are not given sufficient break times and become overtired or overheated
- Accidental or purposeful attacks by people or animals
- Motor vehicle accidents
- How Do Fatal Agricultural Injuries Happen?
- Compensation for Injured Agricultural Workers
- What to Do After an Agricultural Workplace Injury
- Get Help with Your Agricultural Injury Case
How Do Fatal Agricultural Injuries Happen?
Per the BLS, the most common causes of fatal injuries differ slightly from the causes of nonfatal injuries. In descending order of frequency, the top five most common fatal injuries for agricultural workers are:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- “Contact with objects and equipment”
- Accidental or purposeful attacks by people or animals
- Slip or trip and fall accidents
- Toxic or otherwise harmful substances
If your loved one passed away in an agricultural workplace accident, you may have the right to sue the liable party for compensation, just as a living worker does. Proving wrongful death involves the same basic principles as proving personal injury. You must show that:
- The liable party owed you or your loved one a duty of care—in other words, they were supposed to take reasonable precautions to prevent injuries to others.
- The liable party failed in their duty of care by being negligent or reckless.
- The liable party’s negligence caused your accident and injuries, which have caused you significant financial, physical, and mental distress.
Compensation for Injured Agricultural Workers
According to S.C. Code § 42-1-360(4), most agricultural workers in South Carolina do not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. An agricultural employer may choose to purchase workers’ comp insurance, but that decision is entirely theirs, and they are within their legal right not to provide employees with these benefits.
To receive compensation for your workplace injury, therefore, you would have to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on how the accident happened, you may sue:
- Your employer: Employers have a responsibility to provide proper safety training and equipment to employees and ensure employees are healthy and rested enough to perform their job.
- An equipment manufacturer: If a flaw in the equipment or vehicle caused your accident, a negligent manufacturer may be responsible.
- A maintenance crew: Agricultural equipment is often large and heavy, so those in charge of maintaining it must do their jobs with care and efficiency.
A personal injury or Morganton wrongful death attorney can help you determine who is responsible for your injury and how much they may owe you. You could qualify for compensation based on several factors, including:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income and benefits
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of employment
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical or intellectual disability
- Scar tissue
If you are filing a wrongful death case, you may also qualify based on end-of-life expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
What to Do After an Agricultural Workplace Injury
As with any injury, your priority should be getting proper medical attention, either from a doctor on your worksite, a hospital, or your personal physician. The sooner you get help, the easier it may be to connect your injury with your job.
Whichever doctor you see will likely prescribe certain treatments, such as:
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgery
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Follow-up care
Make sure to keep all appointments and follow through on their recommendations.
You will also want to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Even if they do not provide workers’ compensation benefits, this report can establish a crucial link between the injury and your job and thus make it more difficult for your employer to deny that the injury happened while you were working.
Once you are stable enough to consider your legal options, you may find it helpful to consult with a personal injury attorney. Many law firms offer free, confidential case reviews. This way, you risk nothing to find out about your rights and how a lawyer would handle your case if you decided to hire them.
Get Help with Your Agricultural Injury Case
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC understands that statistics, such as the top 5 most common injuries for agricultural workers in South Carolina, are helpful only up to a certain point. They may make injury victims feel less alone, but they cannot tell you how much your case is worth or help you get back on your feet.
Our team would like to provide you with a free, personalized case review to inform you of your rights as an injured worker. Call today to find out more.
