Industrial Accidents

Los Angeles Industrial Accident and Defective Equipment Attorneys

Serious Industrial Injuries Caused by Defective Machinery and Equipment

$30 Million wrongful death verdict in a defective conveyor belt case
Cases handled in Los Angeles, throughout California, and nationwide
No fees unless we win — contingency fee representation
Free, confidential consultations

When defective industrial equipment causes a life-changing injury or death, the case is not just a workers’ compensation matter. It may be a serious third-party product liability case. The attorneys at Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation have the experience, resources and track record to take on manufacturers, distributors and equipment companies responsible for catastrophic workplace injuries.

$30 Million Wrongful Death Verdict for the family of a worker killed by a defective conveyor belt system, obtained by the attorneys at Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation.

Call (866) 884-1717 or contact us online to speak with our legal team. Immediate and confidential consultation available.

Cases We Handle

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS

Our Impressive Track Record We Win...A Lot!

In the last 14 years, Shoop & team's impressive track record includes hundreds of Product Liability cases resulting in verdicts or settlements exceeding $1 million. For a Product Liability team with an exemplary track record, clients choose Shoop.

SEE OUR WINS

Beyond Workers' Compensation: Third-Party Industrial Injury Claims

Many industrial injury cases are treated as workplace accidents. But when defective machinery, missing guards, unsafe design, inadequate warnings or equipment failures are involved, injured workers and their families may have claims beyond workers' compensation.

Shoop | APLC investigates whether a manufacturer, distributor, installer, maintenance company or other third party contributed to the injury.

Why Third-Party Claims Matter Under California Law

Under California Labor Code § 3852, an injured worker who receives workers' compensation benefits is not barred from pursuing a separate civil claim against a third party — such as a product manufacturer, equipment supplier or premises owner — whose negligence or defective product contributed to the injury. These third-party claims can recover damages that workers' compensation does not, including pain and suffering, full loss of earnings, and loss of future earning capacity.

Source: California Labor Code § 3852. Verify case-specific eligibility with an attorney.

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At Shoop | APLC, We Focus on Serious Industrial Injury Cases

We handle serious industrial accident cases involving:

Our firm is built for cases where the injuries are life-changing and the family needs answers, accountability, and long-term financial security.

When Can I Sue a Manufacturer for Dangerous Equipment?

You may make a claim against a manufacturer when there is defect in the equipment that harms you. The defect may be in the design of the equipment, such as a drill press with a missing safety guard.
It may also be in the manufacturing, such as a forklift that rolls over despite careful handling. The defect may be in marketing where there is a failure to warn of dangers in the use of the equipment.
Can an Employer Be Sued for Injuries Suffered on the Job?

You are limited to your workers' compensation claim where the employer is merely negligent or innocent of wrongdoing. However, if the employer is guilty of intentional misconduct, such as removing safety features from machines, you may sue them for full compensation.
What Compensation is Available if a Family Member Dies on the Job?

Where liability can be established against a manufacturer of defective machinery or a subcontractor on the site other than your employer, an action for wrongful death may be maintained in the courts. There the family may sue for loss of comfort and support and the cost of funeral and burial.
Another suit for the estate may also be made if the decedent survived at least a little while after the accident. Through this type of action, medical expenses, property damage and pain and suffering may be sought. In addition, the family may seek a workers' comp death benefit regardless of fault.

Defective Equipment Cases We Handle

Industrial injury cases often involve products and equipment such as:

Talk to the attorneys at Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation if you have been injured by industrial or workplace equipment.

Call (866) 884-1717 or contact us online to speak with our legal team. Immediate consultation available.

$30 Million Conveyor Belt Wrongful Death Verdict

Shoop, APLC obtained a $30 million wrongful death verdict involving a fatal conveyor belt incident. That result reflects the kind of case we are prepared to take on: complex, technical, aggressively defended and devastating for the family.

We understand how to investigate industrial equipment cases, work with qualified experts, uncover design, manufacturing and warning defects and present the full human loss to a jury.

Read more about our verdicts and settlements and client reviews.

What Makes These Cases Different

Industrial equipment cases require more than ordinary personal injury experience. They often involve:

Engineering analysis
Machine guarding standards
Product design issues
Maintenance and inspection records
OSHA-related evidence
Warning and instruction failures
Employer and third-party fault issues
Accident reconstruction
Corporate document discovery

Attorney David R. Shoop and the team at Shoop, APLC have the experience to build these cases from the ground up.

We Fight for the Resources Families Need

Serious industrial injuries can change every part of a person's life. Families may need:

Lifetime medical care
Home nursing
Rehabilitation
Prosthetics or assistive devices
Home modifications
Loss of income support
Funeral and wrongful death damages
Long-term care planning

Our goal is not just to bring a lawsuit. Our goal is to secure the resources families need for the future.

When You Should Contact Our Industrial Accident Attorneys

You should contact us if:

A worker was killed or seriously injured by machinery or equipment
A machine lacked guards or safety devices
Emergency shut-offs failed
Equipment malfunctioned
A conveyor, press, lift, forklift, or industrial machine caused injury
The injury involved amputation, brain injury, burns, paralysis, or death

If a defective machine caused a catastrophic injury, call Shoop, APLC today.

Frequently Asked Questions About California Industrial Accident Claims

Can I sue if I am already receiving workers' compensation in California?

Yes. Under California Labor Code § 3852, receiving workers' compensation benefits does not prevent you from filing a separate third-party civil lawsuit against a non-employer party — such as the manufacturer of defective equipment, a property owner or another contractor — whose negligence or product defect contributed to the injury. Third-party claims can recover damages not available through workers' compensation, including pain and suffering.

What is the statute of limitations for a California industrial accident product liability claim?

In most cases, California's general personal injury statute of limitations applies: two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Wrongful death claims must also generally be filed within two years of the date of death. Special deadlines may apply to claims involving government entities. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Who can be sued in an industrial accident case besides my employer?

Potentially responsible third parties may include: the manufacturer of defective machinery or equipment, the equipment distributor or supplier, the installation or maintenance company, a property owner where the accident occurred, a general contractor or another subcontractor on the jobsite. Our firm investigates the entire chain of responsibility to identify every party who may owe compensation.

Does a Cal/OSHA citation help my industrial accident case?

A Cal/OSHA citation can be important evidence in an industrial injury case. While a citation alone does not automatically establish liability, it can demonstrate that an employer or other party violated safety regulations. Our team uses OSHA findings, inspection records and citations as part of a broader investigation that also includes engineering analysis, expert testimony and accident reconstruction.

What types of compensation are available in an industrial accident lawsuit?

Compensation in a third-party industrial injury claim may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, long-term care expenses, home modifications and assistive devices, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may also recover for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

How much does it cost to hire a Los Angeles industrial accident lawyer?

Our firm handles industrial accident and defective equipment cases on a contingency-fee basis. There are no upfront legal fees, and our firm only collects a fee if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. Initial consultations are free and confidential.

Do you handle industrial accident cases outside of Los Angeles?

Yes. While our office is based in Los Angeles, our firm represents injured workers and families in industrial accident and defective equipment cases throughout California and in cases across the United States.

Contact Our Los Angeles Industrial Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been catastrophically injured or killed by defective industrial equipment, contact Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation today for a confidential consultation.

Call (866) 884-1717 or contact us online to speak with our legal team. Immediate and confidential consultation available.

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Our Results

$30m Product Liability Verdict
$24m Wrongful Death Settlement
$14m Medical Device Settlement
$13.5m Personal Injury
$12m Child Wrongful Death

contact our team today PROVIDING UNMATCHED RESULTS

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