As any Missouri farm family knows, the farming industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the country.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries.

Missouri has nearly 100,000 farms, primarily family-owned, covering several million farmland acres. Unfortunately, farming accidents sometimes become tragic realities for these hard-working families.

This article provides general information to consider about farming accidents, defective equipment, farm-related injuries, compensation and civil lawsuits related to farm injuries and deaths. If you or a loved one has been injured in a farming accident, contact a personal injury lawyer.

Farming Accident Statistics

Statistics show how dangerous the farming industry can be. Accidents, injuries, and even deaths are more prevalent than one might think. The following statistics are from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

• A fatality rate of 19.2 deaths per 100,000 workers occurred in 2015, with tractor rollovers being the leading cause of farm-related deaths.
• Approximately 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost work time injury each day.
• Approximately 12,000 youth were injured on farms in 2014.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Occupational Injuries database (accessed March 21, 2018), 1,513 deaths occurred from 2011 to 2016 for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.

Defective Farm Equipment

Defective or faulty farm equipment is a leading cause of farming-related deaths and injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tractor overturns are a leading cause of farming-related deaths and injuries.

In addition to farm tractors, other types of agricultural equipment that can be involved in farming accidents including augers, balers, combines, cotton strippers, cultivators, grain carts, pickup trucks, and plows, among other types of agricultural equipment. Equipment can prove to have an improper design or manufacturing fault, including improper warnings and safeguards.

It is often difficult to prove farm equipment is responsible for an injury or death. This is why we use industry experts to conduct investigations and provide expert testimony. 

Farm Related Injuries

Unfortunately, the slightest human error in maintaining or operating farming equipment may result in broken bones, chemical burns, electrocution, falls, burns, lost limbs, poisoning, run-overs, suffocation, toxic gas exposure, or death. Note that farming accidents may not involve equipment, but rather farm animals such as cattle that can get loose and injure people outside of the farming operation. Farm-related injuries may also involve structures such as silos and grain bins.

Farming Accident Injury Compensation

Litigation may be the only option to recover compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, money lost while out of work, and wrongful death damages. An experienced attorney can help you determine if a civil lawsuit is a viable option in your situation and provide support through independent expert investigations, forensic experts, and medical experts. Keep in mind that manufacturers and dealers of farming equipment have a responsibility to warn of hazards related to equipment!

Call Day or Night for an Experienced Personal Injury Law Attorney

If you have any questions about farming accidents in Missouri, contact attorney Chris Benjamin at KC Road Lawyers by calling 816-425-2420 or navigating to our contact page for a consultation at the firm’s Lee’s Summit or Butler Missouri offices.