It might seem hard to believe, but agriculture is big business in Arizona. The agriculture industry contributes more than $17 billion to the state’s economy. While official estimates peg Arizona’s agricultural workforce at 77,000, that number does not include the state’s migrant workforce. Aside from the field and harvest workers, agriculture employs distributors, farmers, ranchers, fertilizer and pesticide suppliers, scientists, engineers, fuel companies and equipment dealers, according to the
Arizona Department of Agriculture. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a dangerous piece of farm equipment, you need legal help from a product liability lawyer.
The Arizona agriculture economy is based on traditional crops, niche crops, and the animal industry. Traditional crops include cotton, alfalfa, and wheat. Additionally, Arizona is the “winter lettuce capital of the world.” Niche and specialty crops include cabbage, melons, lemons, oranges, apples, potatoes, and tomatoes, among others. Not surprisingly, Arizona boasts nearly 100 wineries that produce 300,000 gallons of wine annually. Arizona is also home to the largest pecan grove in the United States.
The largest sector of Arizona’s agriculture economy is its animal industry, which is led by its cattle business. More than 20 percent of the state’s farms are dedicated to beef production. The egg industry, however, is the fastest growing segment of the state’s robust animal agriculture business.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by agriculture equipment while on the job, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit. Call Burg Simpson’s Phoenix office at 602-777-7000 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form today.
Across the country and in Arizona, agricultural consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries. In 2015, more than 400 agriculture employees died as a result of a work-related injury. Transportation incidents, such as tractor overturns, were the leading cause of death for these workers. Overall, roughly 100 agriculture workers suffer a lost-time injury every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Other leading causes of injuries include:
- Falls, mostly from ladders/stationary lifts.
- Entanglements with agriculture equipment.
- Poorly designed equipment.
- Equipment with inadequate warning labels.
- Workers improperly trained on farm equipment.
If you or a loved one has died in an agriculture accident because of machinery that may have been defective, get in touch with a defective product lawyer today by calling 602-777-7000.
Call a Burg Simpson Phoenix Attorney
Product liability law governs the responsibility of agricultural equipment manufacturers, among others, for injuries to workers using their defective equipment. But product liability law is complex, and often extremely time-consuming. Call Burg Simpson Arizona today and speak with a Phoenix product liability attorney as soon as possible by calling 602-777-7000 or you can fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form here.
