Machinery Malfunctions And Your Rights To Maryland Workers’ Compensation
If you work in a warehouse, industrial plant, or other settings, working with large machinery may be a routine part of your job. Unfortunately, improper training, lack of safety protections, and malfunctions could put you at risk.
Machinery malfunctions are among the most common types of workplace accidents in Maryland and can cause potentially devastating harm. Our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney explains how injuries often happen and your rights to benefits.
Common Machinery Malfunctions That Put Maryland Workers at Risk
Accidents involving heavy machinery can happen in almost any industry. An April 2026 machinery malfunction at the McCormick spice facility in Hunt Valley, which injured four workers, underscores the risks.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that machinery-related accidents account for more than 800 deaths and leave over 18,000 workers suffering serious injuries each year. Common types of machinery malfunctions include:
- Mechanical failures due to worn, damaged, or poorly maintained parts.
- Electrical malfunctions that cause unexpected starts, stops, or equipment surges.
- Hydraulic and pneumatic system failures, resulting in sudden, uncontrolled movement of heavy components.
- Guarding failures and missing safety guards.
- Conveyor belt malfunctions resulting in entanglement, crushing, or fall injuries.
When these or other types of malfunctions occur, the results can include severe lacerations, crushing injuries, burns, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries.
Maryland Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Machinery Injuries
When on-the-job injuries happen due to machinery malfunctions, filing a claim through the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) can help offset your losses. Common types of benefits available to workers injured in machinery accidents include:
- Medical benefits, covering all necessary treatment related to your injury, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical expenses.
- Temporary total disability benefits replace a portion of your lost income while you are unable to work.
- Temporary or permanent partial disability benefits are available for workers who can return to their jobs but only in a limited capacity or suffer from lasting impairments.
- Permanent total disability is available to workers who are permanently disabled in a machinery accident and are unable to return to any form of gainful employment.
- Vocational rehabilitation services, which can help you retrain for a new role.
Machinery injury claims can be complex, particularly when equipment defects or third-party negligence are involved. Getting professional legal guidance throughout the claims process can help ensure you receive the total amount of benefits you are entitled to in a claim.
Request a Consultation Today With An Experienced Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Machinery malfunctions are common in Maryland and can cause workers to suffer potentially devastating harm. At Berman, Sobin, Gross, Feldman & Darby LLP, we provide trusted, local legal representation and help you get the benefits you and your family are entitled to.
Our Maryland workers’ compensation attorney can review your case, guide you in filing a claim, and determine whether third-party liability applies. If an equipment failure caused you injuries, do not wait to get help. Contact us today to request a consultation.
Sources:
wjla.com/news/local/three-people-injured-machinery-malfunction-mccormick-co-hunt-valley-maryland
osha.gov/machine-guarding#:~:text=OSHA%20has%20specific%20standards%20for%20machine%20guarding,that%20may%20cause%20injury%20must%20be%20safeguarded
