Vending machines are a staple at office buildings, college dormitories, hospitals, airports, and many other places. They offer us a quick fix when we need a snack or beverage, and today’s vending machines offer just about everything from salads and sandwiches to hot coffee and energy drinks.
When you think of problems with vending machines, what comes to your mind? You probably think about coins getting jammed or the item you selected being stuck in the machine. But there are more serious problems, like design flaws and writing issues that can lead to a serious accident. Common accidents associated with vending machines include:
- Injury caused by a vending machine tipping over
- Electrocution
- Burn injuries
- Food poisoning
If you sustained injuries from a vending machine, it’s essential to learn about your rights and legal options. Please contact our law firm and talk to a vending machine accident attorney during a free case evaluation.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
Vending Machine Tip Over Accidents
Vending machines can tip over due to a number or reasons, including uneven flooring, someone rocking the machine back and forth, and problems with the way it was designed. A tip over accident with a vending machine is extremely dangerous due to the sheer weight that can fall on top of you. A fully stocked machine full of sodas can weigh over 600 pounds, which is why people can end up with a disability or die as a result of their injuries.
The cause of injury may be the vending machine manufacturer or the company that is in charge of renting them out to various locations. Aside from the vending machine operator, the owner of the property may be at fault, especially if the ground or flooring is uneven, or there is some other condition with the premises that caused the machine to fall over.
Faulty Wiring Injuries Caused by Vending Machines
Electrical problems are another source of injuries that can be caused by vending machines. Tragically, there have been cases all over the world of people who ended up with burns, brain injury, and even died as a result of electrocution by a vending machine.
Such accidents can happen from a failure to properly ground the machine, as well as internal malfunctions or the manufacturer’s failure to comply with safety standards. Then again, the electrical problems may be attributed to the property owner, as they are responsible for electrical wiring in their own building. They also have a duty to report any damage to the machine or complaints of electric shocks and ensure that people do not continue to use a potentially dangerous machine.
A vending machine injury attorney is essential to figuring out the cause of your accident and who is ultimately responsible. Please contact our office and schedule a free case review if you or a member of your family was electrocuted by a vending machine.
Contaminated Food Sold in Vending Machines
We take it for granted that foods inside a vending machine are safe to eat. Unfortunately, bacterial contamination is very common in foods like milk and sandwiches that are sold in vending machines. For example, meat products, fruit, and vegetables may be contaminated with Listeria, which can cause excessive vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches, along with headaches and confusion. People who are most vulnerable to serious complications from listeria are pregnant women and those with weak immune systems.
Vending machine foods may also contain E.coli, salmonella, and other potentially life-threatening bacteria. To prevent the spread of infection, vending machine operators are required to inspect and perform bacterial analyses on the machines every 6 months. They must also arrange for routine inspections by the Department of Environmental Health and comply with other government safety standards.
If you believe you got food poisoning from something you bought from a vending machine, contact our law firm immediately so that we can conduct an investigation and see who is liable for the harm you suffered.
How Much Time Do I have to File a Lawsuit?
In California, the statute of limitations for an injury claim is normally 2 years from the incident date. That means you must take action on an accident claim no later than 2 years from when a vending machine caused you bodily harm. In the event you are past the deadline for a lawsuit, it will be extremely difficult to obtain an extension from the court system. The best thing to do is contact a lawyer with experience in vending machine accidents as soon as possible, so that your paperwork is filed in a timely manner.
Case Values for a Vending Machine Accident Lawsuit
The amount of compensation for a vending machine-related injury can vary from several thousand dollars to over $2,000,000. Cases where the vending machine tips over or causes an electrocution injury generally have the highest values due to the long-term health issues that are associated with these accidents. Based on the total sum of medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages, settlements may fall within the range of $150,000 to $5,000,000. However, food poisoning claims can also end up in 6 and 7 figure awards based on the victim’s level of harm and suffering.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Vending Machine Injury Case?
On average, a personal injury claim for accidents involving vending machines takes between 6 and 18 months to settle, with cases of severe injury taking 2 or more years. If, on the other hand, you end up with relatively minor injuries, a settlement may be reached in as little as a few weeks. As a general rule, these lawsuits are settled privately through negotiations, meaning that a trial is unlikely. But if there is a need to try your case in court, the legal process can take over 3 years.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you are in need of legal advice on an accident claim for injuries caused by a vending machine, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our law firm is prepared to represent you at no upfront cost, and instead, wait until the end of your case to be reimbursed by the defendant. Please note that with our Zero Fee Guarantee, you owe us $0 in legal fees if we fail to win your lawsuit. In other words, you will never pay out of pocket when you hire one of our legal experts.
Contact us today and schedule a free consultation if you or your loved one suffered harm due to food poisoning or mechanical issues with a vending machine.
