Massachusetts
farm accident lawyer for agricultural injuries and equipment failures
Massachusetts Farm Accident Attorney for rural and agricultural communities
From tractor rollovers in Worcester County to machinery entanglements on cranberry farms along the South Shore, agricultural injuries can be catastrophic. Castel & Hall LLP represents injured farm workers, family members, vendors, and visitors hurt in barns, silos, fields, and packing houses across Massachusetts. Our Massachusetts farm accident lawyer team understands the realities of dairy operations in the Pioneer Valley, orchard work near Leominster and Bolton, and seasonal crews throughout MetroWest. We pursue medical bills, lost income, and long-term support through
workers’ compensation, civil claims, or both—depending on who caused the harm and what insurance applies.
When it’s a work claim, third-party claim, or both
If you’re employed by the farm, your medical care and wage benefits typically start with
workers’ compensation. But if a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner outside your employer’s control contributed to the accident, we can also file a separate personal injury case to recover pain and suffering and other damages. Visitors, vendors, and bystanders—like delivery drivers or neighbors—may bring claims directly against the farm or responsible third parties. In tragic cases, families may pursue
wrongful death claims for fatal rollovers or machinery incidents.
Tractor rollovers, machinery failures, and exposure incidents
We handle cases involving PTO and auger injuries, baler or harvester entanglements, falls from lofts and ladders, grain-bin suffocation, ATV and farm-truck collisions, pesticide or chemical exposures, electrocutions, and livestock kicks or crush injuries. Many events involve multiple factors—operator training, missing guards, or unsafe field conditions—and may implicate farm owners, labor contractors, or equipment makers under product liability principles.
Standards, exemptions, and preserving defective machinery
Farm safety touches OSHA guidance, state rules, and manufacturer instructions. Smaller operations may be exempt from certain OSHA standards, but defective guarding, missing ROPS, or inadequate warnings can still create liability. We secure the equipment, manuals, service records, and expert inspections to prove how a guard failed or a design increased the risk of injury under product liability law.
Farm Accident Lawyers – FAQ
Are farm workers covered by Massachusetts workers’ comp?
Many are, but coverage can vary by employer size and job duties. Even if comp applies, third-party claims may exist (equipment manufacturers, contractors).
What are common causes of farm injuries?
Tractor rollovers, PTO/auger entanglements, baler/crusher incidents, falls from lofts/silos, livestock kicks, pesticide exposure, and ATV collisions on rural properties.
Can equipment defects shift liability to manufacturers?
Yes—missing guards, inadequate warnings, stability/rollover issues (ROPS), and defective kill-switches can support product claims.
What if the farm is family-owned and I’m related to the owner?
Insurance coverage may still apply. Liability analysis focuses on status (employee/visitor), ownership, and available policies.
How do you investigate remote accident scenes?
Rapid site inspections, machinery downloads, maintenance logs, OSHA/MDAR records, and witness statements before memories fade.
Do you coordinate comp and civil claims?
Yes—timing and lien resolution are critical to maximize your overall recovery.
Coordinated claims to maximize recovery
Castel & Hall LLP handles the workers’ comp claim, investigates third-party negligence, and communicates with insurers so you can focus on healing. Our multilingual team—English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole—meets clients on-site, in hospitals, or via Zoom from Framingham and Woburn.