Skyjack Scissor Lift: What You Need to Know If You’re Injured

Ensuring safety should always be the top priority when using a scissor lift machine. Even when project deadlines are coming up or your work needs to be expedited due to weather, it is critical to check your equipment to make sure it is all in working order. 

However, due to the nature of its design and the relative danger of working in a job that requires heavy machinery, sometimes individuals sustain injuries as a result of accidents or product defects. Here’s what you need to know if you have been injured by the Skyjack Scissor Lift. 

Common Causes of Scissor Lift Injuries

Even if you try to maximize safety on your scissor lift, sometimes you can still wind up injured. The following are the most common causes of injuries on these types of machines.

Faulty Guardrails

While there are safety features included in the Skyjack Scissor Lift, guardrails are critical for lift equipment to remain OSHA-compliant. Unfortunately, there have been Skyjack Scissor Lift accidents involving unstable guardrails.

In one case that was settled in 2013, Skyjack was found at fault for falsifying guard rail safety information. The inspector had fraudulently placed decals on the lift, indicating that the guardrails had been safety tested. As a result, the guard rails had never been inspected or tested for maximum weight compliance and were responsible for a lethal accident. 

Although the newer model of the Skyjack electric lift had a more reliable model design available in 2004, it did not update its current model until December 2012. Since they never issued a recall for their older models, if you suffered an injury from a model of Skyjack Scissor Lift that was manufactured before December 2012, you may have operated a machine with defective guardrails. 

Electronic Lift Instability

When machinery is intended for outside usage, manufacturers must test the stability of their lift equipment, especially at its fully extended height. 

There was a lawsuit that was overturned on appeal in 2008 that alleged an operator fell to his death while the lift was extended to its maximum height– about 26 feet in the air. According to the lawsuit, one of the wheels caught on the rough ground texture and sent the operator over the guardrail. 

Some of the older models of this electric lift did not implement technology known by the company as far back as 1997. The technology could have prevented fully extended lifts from toppling, even outside. 

For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000

Who Is Liable for a Workplace Injury?

If you were injured while operating an electronic scissor lift while at work, determining liability can be difficult. A lot of these pieces of equipment are rented, which means you may have to deal with the rental company when it comes to liability in addition to the manufacturer.

If your workplace provided the equipment that injured you, however, you have a couple of different options. You can always file for workman’s compensation to receive some amount of financial compensation. However, be aware that workman’s compensation often comes with the maximum amount of money you can receive as well as legal confirmation that you can’t file a personal injury claim to seek more damages.

Choosing a personal injury attorney is a key component to receiving the highest settlement you can and holding all parties liable. Sometimes determining liability can be tricky without expert advice, so contacting an attorney can help make sure your case is handled thoroughly. 

Expenses a Settlement Can Cover in a Personal Injury Case

Personal injury attorneys understand workplace injuries and product liability litigation as many of their cases fall within those parameters. Being injured by heavy machinery can be life-threatening and cost you medical expenses that can be overwhelming to try and handle on your own. In addition to helping you pay for medical costs, a settlement may also be able to cover:

• Physical therapy
• Household service expenses
• Lost wages and benefits

• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Lost quality of life

What to Do If You Are Injured By a Skyjack Scissor Lift

If you or someone you know has suffered from a Skyjack Scissor Lift accident, don’t hesitate to contact the legal team at Van Law Firm. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will work with you throughout your entire case to earn you the settlement you deserve. 

Don’t wait too long to contact us! Time is running out on your option to file for compensation. Call us today and receive your free consultation. Our team is standing by and is ready to be with you every step of the way as we fight for your highest settlement.