When Missing Safety Protocols Become a Permanent Tragedy
Warehouse and agricultural employees frequently brave extreme environments and heavy machinery to keep supply chains moving. However, working around complex equipment requires specialized safety training, and the absence of that training can turn a routine shift into a devastating medical emergency. Every worker has the right to expect that their employer will provide the necessary lock-out/tag-out procedures to keep them safe.
When a company fails to train its staff on basic machinery safety, the results can be catastrophic.
This became a terrifying reality for a 54-year-old worker operating a conveyor belt system. Her life was forever altered not by her own negligence, but by a simple, dangerous lack of proper safety training.
Time is critical in workplace injury cases—don’t wait or risk losing your opportunity to hold your employer accountable."
A Routine Task Without the Right Safeguards
On June 30, 2023, the worker was prepared to fulfill her duties in the early hours of her shift. To perform her job safely, she required a thorough understanding of the facility’s lock-out methods for the two conveyor belt systems.
However, when a belt became jammed with heavy boxes, she and a temporary worker stepped in to clear the obstruction. Both employees verified that the belts and the safety fence were turned off to ensure the machinery cart running between them was not operational.
Tragically, because management had failed to provide adequate training on proper lock-out procedures, the safety measures taken were not enough. After clearing the jam, the line lights turned on, and before she could get out of the way, the automated cart rushed forward and struck her left foot and ankle.
CRPS Type 2 and the Devastating Loss of Mobility
Crush injuries from heavy machinery quickly cause irreversible tissue and nerve damage.
The worker was transported for medical care, where doctors diagnosed her with severe left foot and ankle trauma. As the condition worsened, medical professionals determined she had developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type 2 of the left lower extremity. This debilitating chronic condition causes throbbing and burning pain that can last for decades.
The injury was far worse than it initially appeared. Due to severe permanent nerve damage, the worker was forced to undergo trials for a dorsal root ganglion stimulator implant in her spine to manage the excruciating pain.
In a matter of seconds, she lost her physical mobility and well-being simply because her employer failed to provide basic machinery safety training.
The Physical and Financial Toll of a Preventable Injury
The aftermath of this incident has been devastating, both physically and financially.
The worker rapidly amassed ongoing medical bills, requiring care from multiple clinics, orthopedic surgeons, and pain management specialists. Her recovery journey is painful and ongoing; she is currently dealing with complications from the permanent stimulator implant due to severe nerve damage, requiring further surgical repositioning.
The injury continues to cause her intense daily pain and has drastically limited her ability to work. With an estimated future wage loss of up to $300,000, her life has been completely derailed.
Was This Machinery Accident Preventable?
This life-altering injury was not a freak accident—it was the direct result of an unsafe work environment.
According to the allegations in this case, the employer failed its duty to provide a reasonably safe workplace through several critical failures:
- Failure to Provide Lock-Out Training: The employer allegedly failed to provide adequate training on the essential lock-out methods for the conveyor belt systems required to do the job safely.
- Failure to Train on Assistance Protocols: Management allegedly failed to train employees that they should request proper assistance when working with hazardous machinery.
- Failure to Protect: Rather than providing a secure environment, the company allegedly forced the employee to operate dangerous equipment without the necessary safety knowledge.
Crucial Takeaways for Machinery and Warehouse Workers
This worker’s story offers an essential warning for industrial employees across Texas:
- Never accept inadequate safety training. If your job requires clearing jammed machinery and your employer has not provided strict lock-out/tag-out training, report it. Working without proper protection can lead to permanent damage.
- Take nerve pain seriously. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can set in after a crush injury and lead to a lifetime of chronic agony. Seek specialized medical attention at the first sign of burning pain or numbness.
- Hold your employer accountable. If your company fails to provide a safe workplace and it results in your injury, they can be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and permanent impairment.
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How Sandoval & Armstrong, PLLC Helps Injured Workers
At Sandoval & Armstrong, PLLC, we represent workers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Denton, and surrounding North Texas communities who have been injured due to unsafe working conditions.
Whether your injury occurred at:
- A warehouse
- A distribution center
- A retail store
- A supermarket
- A manufacturing plant
- A construction site
- A trucking or delivery job
Our team can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
No worker should suffer life-altering injuries due to a failure to comply with basic workplace safety standards.
If you were injured on the job and believe unsafe conditions contributed to your accident, contact Sandoval & Armstrong, PLLC today for a free consultation.
