Wisconsin Farm Accident Lawyer

If a serious farm accident has injured you or killed a loved one, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A Wisconsin farm accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help you understand your legal options and fight for the settlement you deserve. Fair compensation from a personal injury case can help cover your medical bills, lost income, and other damages from the accident. Call our legal team for a free case evaluation.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Farm Accident in Wisconsin?

Common Types of Farming Accidents in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s agricultural industry is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and identity. However, the work is not without danger. Agricultural workers across Wisconsin face significant risks when operating heavy machinery, working with large animals, handling hazardous chemicals, and using powerful tools.

Common causes of severe or fatal injuries on Wisconsin farms involve tractor overturns and machinery entanglements. Other major hazards include falls from heights (like silos or ladders), incidents involving livestock, entrapment in grain bins, exposure to pesticides, and accidents caused by defective equipment.

Injuries from Common Farm Accidents

A person hurt in a farm accident often suffers from severe, life-altering injuries. These can include broken bones, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, or catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Victims may also experience severe burns or develop respiratory problems from chemical exposure.

The consequences of these injuries can affect your ability to work and perform daily activities. Most farm accidents require both immediate medical treatment and long-term care, creating a significant financial strain on you and your family.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Farm Accident Cases?

Determining liability for a farm accident in Wisconsin can be complex. Depending on the situation, the at-fault party can be an equipment manufacturer, the farm owner, the agricultural property owner, or another third party. An experienced farm accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to identify if negligence played a role. This might include a failure to follow safety regulations, not providing the proper safety equipment, or neglecting to maintain machinery.

Are Wisconsin Farm Workers Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Most employers in Wisconsin are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. However, Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation law has specific rules for agricultural work, per Wisconsin Statutes § 102.04(3). Here are the farm-related specifics in a simple bulleted list:

• Farmers need workers’ compensation if they have 6+ employees working on the same day for 20 days in a calendar year.
• There is no wage threshold; only the number of employees matters.
• Employees can be full-time, part-time, or at multiple locations.
• Certain relatives (e.g., parents, children, siblings, or in-laws) don’t count toward the 6-employee threshold.
• Farmers have 10 days to get insurance after reaching the 20-day mark.

If your employer has workers’ compensation, you can file a claim to cover medical expenses, wage replacement, disability benefits, or funeral expenses. If your employer is not required to have coverage, or if a third party’s negligence—such as manufacturing a defective product or defective farm equipment—caused your injury, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury attorney can review your case and determine the best path forward.

Recovering Compensation for Your Farming Injury

Based on the details of your case, you may be able to seek compensation for various damages. These can include:

• Payment for all medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Compensation for permanent disability, disfigurement, pain, and suffering

Surviving family members can seek compensation for damages after a fatal accident by filing a wrongful death claim.

What to Do After a Wisconsin Farm Accident

If you are involved in a farming accident, seek immediate medical attention, then:

• Document the accident scene (such as photos of an equipment defect).
• Collect contact information from any witnesses.
• Report the incident to your employer as soon as you can.
• Preserve any evidence, like the faulty equipment involved.
• Contact a Wisconsin personal injury lawyer to discover whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.

How a Wisconsin Farm Accident Attorney Can Help

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a farming accident, our law firm is here to provide the legal support you need. We will investigate your case, gather evidence (such as witness statements), identify the responsible party, and manage your case to meet Wisconsin’s three-year statute of limitations (Wisconsin Statutes § 893.54). We handle all negotiations with insurance companies and are prepared to take your case to court if a favorable outcome cannot be reached.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Most people find it useful to speak with an experienced attorney who can explain the legal process to seek justice and answer questions. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients have no upfront costs and pay no legal fees unless we achieve favorable results in your case.