Construction is one of the most dangerous careers in America, with one in ten construction workers injured each year while working on the roads, infrastructure, and buildings across the country. This often involves the use of dangerous and heavy equipment such as sheepsfoot and padfoot rollers.
Sheepsfoot rollers are used to compact fine grain soils such as heavy clay and silt and are typically seen in areas where there are embankments, at dams, in paving projects, and in railroad construction. Sheepsfoot rollers can be either static or vibratory and consist of steel drums on which projecting lugs are fixed and apply pressure up to 14 kg/sq cm or more.
Padfoot rollers, also known as tamping rollers, are similar to sheepsfoot rollers but have a higher production capacity and higher degree of compaction which results in a more uniform result. Padfoot rollers, which are best for compacting cohesive soils, operate at high speeds, are capable of breaking up large clumps, and consist of leveling blades to help spread materials.
Both sheepsfoot and padfoot rollers are important pieces of equipment in the construction industry, but they are not without risks.
If you have been injured in a sheepsfoot or padfoot roller accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
Sheepsfoot and Padfoot Roller Risks
Rollers are essential in various industries however statistics show that accidents involving all types of rollers often result in fatalities, especially when a sheepsfoot or padfoot roller operator is pinned by the machine or is involved in a rollover accident. It is important that operators be completely trained in the safe use of their machinery and safety systems are in place to protect them, including functional seatbelts and rollover protection systems (ROPS). It is also important that the operator inspects both the roller and the work area before beginning to prevent accidents and the roller is kept on a routine maintenance schedule to assure that it is in proper working order. Finally, a sheepsfoot or padfoot roller should only be used if it is free from any defects in design and/or manufacturing. To use a defective roller increases the likelihood of serious, and often deadly injuries.
The most common injuries seen in sheepsfoot and padfoot roller accidents include:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Abrasions
- Amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Severe burns
- Permanent disabilities
- Head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
Liability in Construction Accidents
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH ACT), employers have an obligation to maintain a safe working environment and follow the regulations of OSHA. If the employer, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or another employee fails to follow the appropriate standards of care and their actions or inactions cause an accident, they could be liable for the injuries and damages their negligence caused.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, partial wages, and disability benefits to an injured worker regardless of who was at-fault for the accident. Workers compensation does typically prohibit an employee from suing their employer for the accident, however, there may be other options including filing a claim against a negligent third-party, such as a subcontractor, vendor, defective equipment designer and/or manufacturer, or general contractor who is not the employee’s direct employer.
Construction accidents are often complex, involving multiple parties and defendants. This is why it is important to contact an experienced personal
injury lawyers to determine your rights under Illinois law.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, the
personal injury lawyers at 844 See Mike can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over
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