Maison Law can help you through the workers’ compensation process when you’re injured at work in Glendale. When the tools and equipment you rely on at work fail, the results can be devastating. Whether it’s a malfunctioning forklift at a Glendale warehouse or a piece of machinery without proper safety guards, defective equipment can lead to serious injuries—and serious problems to both your personal and work life. But you have options, and our team can help. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
Workers’ comp is supposed to make things easier after a work injury—but in reality, the process can be frustrating and confusing. If your injury was caused by broken or unsafe equipment, the paperwork alone can feel overwhelming. That’s where Maison Law comes in. Our team helps Glendale workers by:
- Making sure your medical bills, lost wages, and rehab costs are covered.
- Helping you file a claim the right way—especially if unsafe conditions played a role in what happened.
- Guiding you through additional benefits if your injury leads to long-term or permanent limitations.
Every case is different, but we’re here to walk you through yours—start to finish—and help you avoid the roadblocks that keep many injured workers like you from getting the support they need.
How Could I Get Hurt By Defective Equipment at Work?
For a lot of workers in Glendale, there’s certain pieces of equipment that they use everyday. This brings familiarity and comfort, but if this equipment stops working the way it should–or a new piece of equipment isn’t made right, you could get hurt. Most of the time, this leads to injuries from things like:
- Broken machines – Malfunctioning equipment can cause crushing injuries, amputations, or falls.
- Electrical problems – Faulty wiring can lead to shocks, burns, or even fires.
- Collapsing structures – Ladders, scaffolding, or hand tools that break mid-use often cause falls or impact injuries.
- Explosions or pressure failures – A defective compressor or pipe can burst and cause serious burns or trauma.
- Faulty tools – Power tools that overheat, break apart, or misfire can cause cuts, fractures, or punctures.
- Chemical leaks – When seals or equipment fail, workers can be exposed to harmful substances.
- Safety system failures – It’s not always the equipment itself. If a machine stops or warning sensors don’t work, it can make a bad situation worse.
Obviously, there’s a wide range of potential pitfalls with equipment. That can lead to injuries, but the important thing to know is this: you don’t have to prove negligence to file for workers’ comp in California. That removes a huge hurdle and helps you get the care you need faster.
What Benefits Can I Get With a Workers’ Comp Claim After Being Hurt by Defective Equipment?
Most injured workers know they can file for workers’ comp—but they’re often unsure of what’s actually covered. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Medical care – Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and medical equipment. Anything that is tied directly to the accident and is deemed necessary is usually covered.
- Temporary disability (TD) – Partial pay if you can’t work while you recover
- Permanent disability (PD) – If your injury causes long-term damage and affects your ability to work
- Job retraining – Help finding new work if you can’t return to your old job
TD benefits can last up to 104 weeks. But, if your injuries are more serious or permanent, that might not be enough—and that’s where a civil claim might come into play.
When a Civil Claim Might Be an Option
Workers’ comp covers a lot—but not everything. If your injury was caused by defective equipment, you may also be able to bring a separate claim against:
- The manufacturer of the equipment
- A third-party company responsible for maintaining or inspecting the machine
- Your employer, in rare cases involving extreme negligence
A civil claim–which happens through an insurance claim out of court or a lawsuit–may allow you to recover additional financial support for your “damages”. This usually includes:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term lost income
- Medical costs beyond what workers’ comp covers
- Property damage
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses if your injuries are fatal
In California, you have two years from the date of the injury to file this type of lawsuit. We can help you figure out whether that’s an option in your case—and how to protect your rights either way.
What Information Will Help You After a Defective Equipment Injury?
Getting hurt on the job because of a broken or faulty piece of equipment is frustrating—and sometimes scary. Whether it was a machine that malfunctioned, a tool that snapped, or safety gear that didn’t work the way it should, you’re now dealing with an injury that wasn’t your fault.
The good news is that you don’t have to prove who was to blame to get workers’ comp in California. But it’s still a good idea to gather some basic information to help things go more smoothly when you file your claim. Here’s what can really help:
- Get medical treatment (and keep your records) – Go see a doctor as soon as you can. Tell them exactly what happened and make sure they write it down. Those records are one of the first things the workers’ comp system will look at.
- Tell your employer what happened – The sooner, the better. You don’t need to give a long report—just make sure they know what happened, when, and what equipment was involved. That gets the official claim process started.
- Write down the details while they’re fresh – Jot down everything you remember: the time, place, what the equipment was doing, what went wrong, and how you got hurt. This can be really helpful later, especially if your claim is delayed or denied.
- Take photos or video if you can – If the equipment is still around, snap some pictures. If your injury is visible—like a bruise, cut, or swelling—document that too. You don’t need to be a photographer; just a few clear shots can help back up your claim.
- Talk to coworkers who saw it – If anyone was nearby when the equipment failed, ask them to write down or tell you what they saw. Even a quick text message can help confirm that it wasn’t just you.
- Hang onto any paperwork about the equipment – If there were any past problems with the tool or machine—like maintenance records, safety reports, or emails—that could help show this wasn’t a random accident. You may not have access to these right away, but mention it to your lawyer if you think there’s a history.
You don’t need to build a legal case or prove your employer did anything wrong. But having this kind of information can make the workers’ comp process less of a headache and help get you the support you need sooner. And if you’re not sure where to start, we can walk you through it.
Workers in Glendale Can Count on Maison Law
When you’re hurt by defective equipment at your job in Glendale, it leaves you feeling powerless. But the reality is that you have options and help when you need it–whether that’s workers’ comp benefits or a civil claim. At Maison Law, our team of Glendale workers’ compensation lawyers understand how the system works and can guide you through it. Reach out today to set up a free consultation. You can count on our support.
