From logging to shipbuilding, from the construction trades to high-tech manufacturing, Mainers have never been afraid to tackle the toughest jobs. The men and women who keep these industries running depend on safe, reliable tools and equipment.
But when those tools and pieces of machinery are defective, poorly designed, or improperly labeled, it can result in serious injury or death for the operator.
Each year, hundreds of people in Maine, through no fault of their own, are injured or killed by defective products, including tools and industrial equipment. When someone else’s negligence caused the injury whether it’s a manufacturing defect or an employer’s failure to properly train a worker. Maine law entitles victims and their families to financial compensation.
The attorneys at Berman & Simmons have been protecting the rights of injured Mainers for more than 100 years. We are the statewide leader in product liability law. No other firm in Maine can match the experience, knowledge, and resources we bring to the case to successfully resolve your claim.
Defective tool cases require the best and most experienced lawyers
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S.
We have obtained several of the largest jury verdicts in Maine history, and many of the largest settlements for our clients. Our attorneys are extremely knowledgeable about medical issues and skilled at proving fault, documenting the extent of your losses, and putting you in the best position to receive full compensation. We have recovered $1 billion for our injured clients.
Defective product cases require in-depth knowledge of product liability law, product manufacturing and specifications, and relevant safety standards. They also require experts who can investigate and “reconstruct” an industrial accident and show insurance companies, defense lawyers and, if necessary, juries exactly how you were injured, and why you are entitled to compensation. Our team includes lawyers with specific knowledge and a track record of success in this area, and we regularly work with the top industry experts to build winning cases for our clients.
Winning all types of tool and industrial equipment cases
We represent clients in all types of injury and death claims involving defective tools and industrial equipment, including:
- Cranes and forklifts
- Pneumatic and hydraulic tools and parts
- Metalworking equipment, such as punch presses and bending tools
- Nail guns, saws, drills, and other power tools
- Ladders, harnesses, and safety gear
- Conveyor belts and assembly lines
- Agricultural equipment such as combine harvesters, plows, and balers
- Lack of proper training on tools and equipment
- Lack of proper warning labels or instructions on tools and equipment
Helping in all aspects of your recovery
For those who have been injured by defective tools or equipment, we understand that the physical, emotional, and financial burdens can be overwhelming.
While we work to maximize your financial recovery, we also can serve as a partner for your physical and emotional recovery. Our lawyers and staff members will take the time to listen to you, understand your concerns, and come up with helpful solutions to make your life easier.
From day one, we can assist you in obtaining any necessary referrals to specialists for medical and mental health care. We can arrange payment or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved. We will also help you navigate the complex maze of medical insurance and disability programs.
A Law Firm That Listens
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S., having won many of the largest jury verdicts and settlements ever obtained for injured people in Maine.
Our trial lawyers have won thousands of claims on behalf of those injured in a car accident, and each year we build on that successful track record.
Our attorneys and staff members will take the time to listen to you, work to understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved. We help you recover and make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries and loss.
We'll Take Care of the Heavy Lifting
What compensation am I entitled to as an accident victim?
Under Maine law, victims of accidents involving tools and industrial equipment have the right to recover financial damages for various categories of loss, including:
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress, past, and future
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Interference with your enjoyment of life
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Medical expenses, past, and future
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Time lost from work
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Loss of future earnings
$8.5 Million
Paralysis due to mismanagement of
degenerative spine
$2.5 Million
Catastrophic injuries in a head-on car accident
$800,000
Wrongful death case involving negligent
motorist
$715,000
Plaintiff Rear Ended by
Telephone Truck
$5 Million
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer
$1.2 Million
Significant Head Injury Car Accident
FAQs
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What do I prepare for the first call or meeting with you?
For your first meeting with us, simply tell us your story and explain in your own words what happened and how your life has been affected. If you’re meeting with us in person, you can bring notes about what happened to you, driver insurance information, names of any witnesses, photos of the accident damages or injuries, medical records, and other related paperwork if you have it and if it’s applicable, but that information isn’t necessary. Really all you need to do is be yourself, speak with us honestly, and be willing to tackle your problems with us.
Initial conversations between potential clients and our staff members are often done over the phone. Rest assured that everything we discuss is confidential and protected under law.
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How much will a lawyer cost me?
The lawyers at Berman & Simmons work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing up front and nothing unless we settle or win your case. We will consult with you, evaluate your situation, and do initial research free of charge. This is true even if we decide you don’t have a valid claim. We will also cover all necessary case expenses and you will not be obligated to reimburse us until and unless we recover monies on your behalf. if we do take your case and win a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor, a percentage of the compensation goes to pay for our costs and the work done by our legal team.
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How will I know if I have a case?
To pursue a case, we will need to prove that you suffered a substantial personal injury and the injury was directly caused by the negligence of another party. A bad result alone is not enough to establish negligence. We let you know upfront if we are able to move forward with the legal process, or if we don’t think you have a case. Generally, we will know if you have a case after our first phone call or meeting.
If we believe you have a valid claim and decide to move forward with litigation, our attorneys and staff will then take it from there and do everything else that needs to be done, including obtaining and reviewing records relevant to your case, such as accident reports and other law enforcement documents, employer records, medical records, and other information.
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
Every case is different, and there is no way to predict how long it will take for your case to be resolved. Some cases end in a matter of months, while the most complex and challenging cases, such as a medical malpractice case, can span several years. The vast majority of cases, however, are resolved before a trial and usually within a year.
The goal is to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, no matter how long it takes whether that comes in the form of a pre-trial settlement, or with a jury verdict in your favor.
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How much is my case worth?
There are many factors that need to be considered when determining the value of your case. Every case is unique and it takes a team effort — including your attorney, staff researchers, and outside experts — to determine the extent of your damages and how much your case is worth. There are two types of damages for which you could receive
compensation: Economic and non-economic.If your case goes to trial and a jury agrees you deserve compensation, the jury members will decide how much the money you should receive for each category of damages.