Farming Accidents

Legal Assistance for People Seriously Injured in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon Farming and Agriculture Accidents

If you have been seriously injured or disabled in a farming accident, you may be seeking answers to your legal questions. The Farber Law Group, a personal injury law firm located in Bellevue, Washington may be of assistance to you.

Farm work is hard and demanding and it poses special hazards because workers often work with heavy and dangerous equipment, climb ladders and work with agricultural chemicals which can be toxic. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 3.1 million Americans work on farms and ranches.  Every year, approximately 1,300 Americans lose their lives in farming and other agriculture-related accidents. Another 120,000 people suffer injuries in farming-related occupations, many of them seriously. Of those killed, a significant numbers are young people and children.

Farming is a big business in Washington state and the state ranks ninth in the U.S. for food and agricultural products. Nearly $9.3 billion in food and agricultural products are exported by farmers in the state every year. Washington farmers produce a variety of crops including wheat and hops; grapes, apples, and other stone fruits; berries and vegetables; and raise livestock including farmed fish, cattle, and lambs.

Tractor Accidents on Farms

The highest number of fatalities in a farming accident is due to tractor accidents. In nearly 44% of all fatal tractor accidents, a rollover of the tractor occurred. Most tractor accident fatalities could be prevented if the tractor was equipped with rollover protective structures and operators used seat belts.

Fruit Orchards Have High Worker Injury Rates

Fruit orchards have the highest worker injury rate among all farming occupations with between 45% to 58% of all worker’s compensation claims in the state paid to those injured in orchard accidents. Washington state is the number one producer of apples, cherries, and pears and ladders, used in picking crops, which are the number one factor in worker injuries.  

Many ladder accidents result in sprains and strains but workers also suffer more severe injuries including fractures and dislocations. Workers are injured when a ladder is not on stable ground, when they are struck by a falling ladder or when they slip while descending or ascending the ladder. Workers are often ascending and descending ladders while laden with heavy bags and the weight of the bag can increase the severity of a fall.

Chemical Exposure Accidents

In some farming operations, chemicals are used and exposure to chemicals can result in injury.

Farming Accidents Caused by OSHA Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets standards regarding working conditions on farms. OSHA requires that machines have proper guards and have proper ventilation. Lack of safety features can contribute to worker injuries.

Washington Attorney Represents Accident Victims and their Families

If you or a loved one has been injured, or a loved one killed in a farm or agriculture accident, The Farber Law Group is happy to assist you and to help ensure that your legal rights are protected. We provide a free and confidential case evaluation to help you determine whether you wish to make a claim.  Our experienced attorney will help you determine whether you might be eligible for injury compensation, medical benefits, permanent or temporary disability, vocational rehabilitation, or death benefits in the case of a deceased family member.

Please do not hesitate to contact us and know that we view it as an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to help you in any way that we can. 

Representing farming accident victims across Washington including in Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Yakima, Grant, Adams, and Klickitat counties.

Free Consultation

(425) 455-9087

Your Case is Important to Us - Free Consultation
Herb Farber and the attorneys in the network of The Farber Law Group provide a free case consultation to people seriously injured in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. If your injuries are serious and you cannot come to see us, we can arrange to visit you at Harborview Medical Center, Overlake Hospital Emergency & Trauma Center, Evergreen Hospital, or one of the other trauma centers throughout the state.  We have represented injured victims for more than 45 years and we believe every injured person should have access to legal advice. For your Free and Confidential consultation, contact us today at (800) 244-9087.