Machinery Accidents Workers Comp in Texas

Machinery Accidents Overview

Machinery accidents include injuries caused by contact with industrial equipment, power tools, conveyor belts, presses, saws, and other mechanical devices. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe lacerations, crush injuries, amputations, and even death. Manufacturing, agriculture, and construction industries see the highest rates of machinery-related injuries.

Texas Workers Comp Benefits

Common Symptoms — Machinery Accidents

• •Lacerations and deep cuts requiring stitches or surgery
• •Crush injuries to hands, fingers, or limbs
• •Fractures and broken bones
• •Amputations of fingers, hands, or limbs
• •Burns from heated equipment or friction
• •Hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud machinery
• •Eye injuries from flying debris or particles

Key Facts

• ✓Machinery accidents are among the most severe workplace injuries
• ✓Amputation claims can settle for $100,000 to over $500,000
• ✓OSHA requires machine guarding for all equipment with moving parts
• ✓Employer OSHA violations can strengthen a workers comp claim
• ✓Third-party claims may be available against equipment manufacturers
• ✓Lockout/tagout violations are a leading cause of machinery accidents
• ✓Texas is the only state where workers comp is optional for private employers
• ✓Texas Mutual Insurance Company is the state fund
• ✓Benefits are 70% of average weekly wage
• ✓Non-subscriber employers lose significant legal protections
• ✓Division of Workers' Compensation oversees the system