Meridian Farm Accident Lawyers
Strong representation for injured agricultural workers in Meridian and throughout Mississippi
Tilling the soil, planting seeds, harvesting the crops, working in the heat, and feeding the animals are just some of the backbreaking parts of farm work. These days, many farm workers suffer injuries from hard labor and from machines that may be defective. Agricultural chemicals may also create risks because many are toxic. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we fight for farm workers by filing workers’ compensation claims, product liability claims, and personal injury claims. Our lawyers demand all the compensation Mississippi law allows.
In one illustrative case, we obtained $1.4 million for a 21-year-old farmer and $212,250 for his wife when a farming accident caused the farmer to lose his leg. The farmer was pulled into part of the machine severely injuring his leg – the leg required a below-the-knee amputation. Our lawyers were able to show that the machine was defective, the shields insufficient, and the manufacturer’s manual deficient in explaining how to perform repairs safely. Even with some partial contributory negligence, the jury found the manufacturer strictly liable.
How dangerous are farm accidents?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2023, 6 people in Mississippi died while working in the farming, fishing, and forestry industry sectors. Nationally, 448 people died in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industry sectors in 2023.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2021-2022, more than 21,000 agricultural workers suffered injuries that required them to take time off from work. About 29 percent of these injuries were due to falls. More than half of the farm workers who died in 2022 in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries were 55 years of age and older. The leading cause of fatalities was tractor accidents.
What are the causes of farm accidents in Meridian?
Farming jobs in Mississippi include farmhands, seed technicians, trimmers, lawn specialists, lumber stackers, cultivators, poultry line associates, warehouse managers, animal breeders, equipment mechanics, and many other types of workers including those involved in planting and harvesting crops and raising animals.
Our Meridian farm accident lawyers represent workers who suffer injuries due to all causes, including the following:
- Tractor accidents are a common cause of injuries and fatalities. Many tractors, especially older tractors, have a tendency to roll over. Newer tractors should be designed with the latest tractor rollover safety technology.
- Injuries due to the weather because many farm workers in Mississippi work outdoors. Heat exhaustion can cause severe illnesses and deaths.
- Falls are a common cause of farm accidents because many workers work on ground that is uneven, unstable, and filled with vegetation and other obstacles.
- Musculoskeletal injuries often occur due to heavy lifting, repetitive motions, carrying heavy objects, pushing items, and other stresses and movements.
- Tractors, sprayers, planters, backhoe loaders, balers, and many other types of equipment and machines cause injuries due to defects, malfunctions, and improper use of dangerous equipment.
- Silos and grain bins can cause workers to suffocate if a worker becomes buried or engulfed by the grains.
- Lack of clean water, bathroom facilities, and other unsanitary conditions can cause infections, diseases, and other health disorders.
- Dangerous chemicals, pesticides, toxins, microorganisms, and organic dust can cause many different types of dangerous and possibly fatal skin and respiratory disorders which can also contaminate family members when the workers come home.
- Infections from animals in the form of fungi, bacteria, parasites, protozoa, or prions can cause serious harm.
- The noise from tractors, grain dryers, squealing pigs, and various machines such as chainsaws can cause permanent hearing loss.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), other farming hazards include poisonous plants, venomous wildlife, insects, ultraviolet radiation, and more.
What types of injuries do farm workers suffer in Meridian?
At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we handle all types of serious injuries due to farming accidents, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic amputations/loss of limb
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones/fractures
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Neck, shoulder, and back injuries
- Nerve, muscle, ligament, tendon, and tissue damage
- Skin infections
- Respiratory illnesses
- Suffocation
- Death
What types of claims do you file when farm accidents happen?
Our Meridian farm accident lawyers file the following types of claims depending on the job status of the worker and the cause of the accident.
Workers’ compensation claims
Farm workers who are employees can file workers' compensation claims if their employer has worker’s compensation insurance. Generally, you do not have to prove fault to file a worker's compensation claim. To file for work injury benefits, your accident or illness must be job-related and not due to other causes.
At Merkel & Cocke, we seek compensation for all your medical bills to improve your health. Workers’ compensation benefits also include temporary disability benefits and permanent disability benefits in the amount of 2/3rds of your average weekly wages before your injury/illness – up to certain maximums. These benefits are generally available until you can return to work or 450 weeks whichever is sooner.
Spouses and certain dependents can claim workers’ compensation death benefits if a farm worker dies due to their job.
Personal injury claims
Workers who are not employees or if their employer does not have workers’ compensation coverage can file a personal injury claim. The main differences from a workers’ compensation claim are that you do need to prove fault, all (not just 2/3) of your lost wages are recoverable, and you can demand compensation for pain and suffering.
Product liability claims
Our Meridian farm accident attorneys file strict liability claims, breach of warranty claims, and negligence claims against the manufacturers of defective farm equipment that cause injuries or deaths. The damages in product liability claims are generally the same as those in personal injury claims.
Wrongful death claims
We file wrongful death claims on behalf of the families of anyone who dies due to a farming accident in Meridian – provided that the decedent would have been able to file a personal injury or product liability claim if the decedent had survived.
Do you have a Meridian farm accident lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet farmers at our Meridian office located at Regions Bank Building, Suite 205, 406 22nd Avenue. We also consult with farmers by phone and through online video. We can also meet you at your home or a nearby healthcare facility when necessary.
We’re here to guide you through every step of the claims process.
Talk with our Meridian Mississippi farm accident lawyers today
Every day that you’re too injured to work is a day without a paycheck. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we help injured farm workers obtain the compensation they need. Our Meridian farm accident lawyers help farm workers restart their lives. Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle farm accident cases on a contingency fee basis.