Lathe Machine Accidents in Texas Manufacturing: Legal Options for Workers

Lathes are essential tools at many Texas manufacturing facilities, but they also pose a significant risk to workers operating them or standing near them. Many employers fail to follow occupational safety guidelines to protect workers from equipment malfunctions. Lathe accidents can result in crush injuries, broken bones, severe cuts and lacerations, and can even be fatal.

Protecting your rights after a lathe machine incident requires the help of an experienced personal injury attorney from The Callahan Law Firm.

For over 30 years, The Callahan Law Firm has represented hardworking people in Houston and throughout Texas and their families as they seek justice after workplace accidents. We know the devastating impact lathe accidents can have on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We are here to help you start rebuilding.

Contact us today or call us 24/7 at (713) 589-7767 to learn more in a free consultation with a Houston, TX work injury lawyer. Our office is conveniently located at 440 Louisiana St #2050, Houston, TX. We can help!

What Are the Hazards of Lathe Machine Operation?

During lathe operation, a single moment of mechanical failure, lack of safety regulations, inattention, or improper use can permanently alter or end someone’s life.

Some of the most common hazards associated with lathe machines include:

Entanglement – Potential hazards like loose clothing, jewelry, hair, or gloves can become entwined in the machine’s rotating chuck, spindle, or saddle. Once entangled, the lathe’s powerful torque can pull the operator toward the machine, leading to severe injuries.
Flying debris – Lathes generate high-speed metal or wood shavings, and occasionally, fragments of broken tools or materials can become projectiles. Proper shielding and eye protection, like safety goggles, are required to avoid eye injuries, facial lacerations, and puncture wounds.
Machine malfunction – Mechanical failures or electrical hazards can cause the lathe to behave unpredictably, such as abruptly stopping and starting. Faulty equipment due to improper maintenance can easily lead to a serious accident.
Operator error – Whether it is an improper equipment setup, incorrect speed settings, or failure to follow lockout procedures, there are plenty of opportunities for lathe machine accidents to result from operator error. That is particularly true when the operator is not correctly trained, working under pressure, distracted, or fatigued.

Common Causes of Lathe Accidents in Texas Manufacturing Facilities

Many lathe machine accidents in Texas manufacturing facilities can be traced back to preventable causes, whether it is a company’s cost-cutting measures, a manufacturer’s defective product, or a worker’s lack of safety training.

Some of the most common reasons lathe accidents occur include:

Inadequate training – New or untrained workers may not fully understand the dangers of lathe operation or how to properly use safety features and personal protective equipment (PPE). The lack of training can prove deadly, and responsibility may fall on the employer when an accident results from its failure to train operators.
Neglected maintenance – Lathes are hazardous machinery that require proper maintenance and proper safety checks for safe operation. If an employer fails to conduct regular inspections and perform necessary maintenance, it could be held liable for a resulting accident.
Lack of safety guards – Powerful machines without appropriate shields or guards are a threat to workplace safety. Lathes without safety devices expose workers to high-speed components, rotating parts, and flying debris that can severely injure or blind the machine’s operator or other people nearby.
Faulty machinery – Mechanical defects, whether due to manufacturing flaws, dangerous product design, or poor maintenance, can lead to unexpected failures and unpredictable lathe machine activity. Liability for lathe machine deaths or injuries resulting from such defects may fall on the manufacturer.
Improper supervision – Supervisors are tasked with enforcing safety protocols, preventing dangerous practices, and overseeing lathe operation. When they fail to meet their responsibilities, they may be liable for any accidents that occur.
Dangerous work conditions – Dim lighting, cluttered workspaces, and pressure to meet quotas can significantly increase the risk of a lathe accident. When an accident results from these conditions, liability may fall on the employer, the property owner, or another party.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Caused by Lathes?

Industrial lathe accidents can cause devastating injuries due to the size and power of the machines.

Some of the most common severe injuries include:

Such injuries often require extensive medical treatment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and time out of work. Some injuries cause permanent damage that prevents the victim from returning to their job or resuming their normal daily activities.

Can You Sue for a Lathe Machine Injury in Texas?

Unlike most other states, Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. While that means you may not be able to receive no-fault workers’ comp benefits after a lathe machine accident, it also means you have the legal right to sue your employer directly for negligence.

Even if your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you may still have a valid third-party negligence claim against another party who contributed to the hazardous conditions that caused the accident.

Such as:

Equipment manufacturers
Maintenance contractors
Safety training providers
Other companies on shared worksites

Compensation in a lathe machine accident claim can include money to pay for:

Medical bills in the past and future
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Physical impairment
Disfigurement

Lathe deaths may be grounds for a wrongful death claim.

Surviving loved ones may be entitled to compensation for:

Funeral and burial expenses
Loss of financial support
Loss of benefits
Loss of companionship and society
Loss of care, guidance, and support
Mental anguish
The deceased’s pain and suffering

Our attorneys are ready to help you gather the documentation and evidence you need to determine the true extent of the losses the lathe machine accident has caused in your life and then fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.

How The Callahan Law Firm Can Help You After a Lathe Machine Accident

An experienced personal injury attorney can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your lathe injury case.

When you choose The Callahan Law Firm, we can help you by:

- Reviewing your case for free – We can analyze your case, ask you some key questions, review the evidence, and inform you of your legal options free of charge.
- Investigating the accident – We can look into the cause of the accident, determine who may be responsible, and work with engineers, safety experts, and industry professionals to gather the evidence needed to establish liability.
- Assessing the full value of your claim – It is easy to leave money on the table when you attempt to determine fair compensation without legal help. We will leave no stone unturned when assessing your losses and calculating the maximum financial recovery you deserve.
- Negotiating and litigating – We are ready to advocate aggressively on your behalf when it comes time to negotiate for a settlement. If the insurance companies will not make an appropriate offer, we can file a lawsuit, take your claim to court, and fight for a fair verdict.

Injured by a Lathe Machine? Contact Our Texas Workplace Injury Lawyers Today

If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a lathe accident, The Callahan Law Firm wants to help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of hardworking Texans and holding companies accountable when their negligence causes a serious injury or death.

Contact us today or call us 24/7 at (713) 589-7767 for your free consultation with an experienced workplace injury attorney on our legal team.