Rochester, New York, Snowblower Accident Injury Lawyers

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as A Best Lawyer of America and An American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of The Year, is Committed to Defending the Rights of Anyone Who Has Been Injured by a Defective, Faulty, or Improperly Manufactured Snowblower.

Winter weather may be getting less predictable, but heavy snow in Monroe County remains a regular occurrence. In recent years, Rochester has averaged anywhere between seven and ten feet of snow annually. When blizzard conditions occur, the roads, sidewalks, and driveways are often buried under inches—and sometimes even feet—of slush, snow, and ice.

Seeing the High Falls frozen over or the University of Rochester campus covered in snow can be breathtakingly beautiful, but few Rochesterians look forward to shoveling snow after a winter storm. While many Americans still clear snow the old-fashioned way, snowblower sales have begun to skyrocket. Industry insiders estimate that the multi-million-dollar snowblower market will grow by over 40% by 2026 in terms of unit sales and revenue.

Snowblowers might already be popular consumer products, but they are not always safe. Over a recent 10-year period, an estimated 9,000 Americans have lost fingers, hands, and other body parts to snowblowers. Many snowblower-related accidents are the result of operator negligence. However, others are caused by manufacturing defects and oversights. Since snowblowers are typically outfitted with hard augers, blades, and paddles, accidents have the potential to inflict catastrophic injuries.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades aggressively advocating for the rights of Rochester residents who have been injured by defective snowblowers and other faulty consumer products. Our experienced product liability attorneys could help you or a loved one file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer of an inherently unsafe snowblower. Since 2005, we have helped our clients across Upstate New York secure more than $175 million in damages from negligent companies and their insurance carriers. Please send the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. a message online or call us today at 585-939-3939 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

The most common categories of consumer snowblowers include:

1. Single-Stage Snowblowers: A single-stage snowblower is effectively an engine-powered shovel with wheels. Outfitted with a single auger, they tend to be relatively weak and suitable only for clearing several inches of snow.
2. Two-Stage Snowblowers: Two-stage snowblowers are among the most popular consumer models. Comprised of a single auger that breaks down snow and a screw that helps eject the snow, two-stage snowblowers can clear relatively deep accumulations of snow.
3. Three-Stage Snowblowers: Three-stage snowblowers are among the most powerful non-commercial categories of snowblowers. They have three augers and can expel snow up to 50 feet to the side and up to 20 feet in the air.

While snowblowers are not especially complex products, they are still engine-driven machines that can experience critical mechanical failures. Most snowblower-related accidents occur when consumers try to fix common problems, such as:

1. Defective exit chutes;
2. Faulty or clogged belts;
3. Poor-quality drive discs;
4. Damaged or defective tires; and
5. Fuel system failures.

Snowblower operators risk serious injury if they attempt to correct these complications by themselves. For example, a two-stage snowblower’s exit chute may incorporate a secondary screw that ejects snow. If a consumer believes that a defective exit chute is simply clogged with accumulation, then they may try to rectify the problem by manually removing any remnant snow. However, if the snowblower activates after the clog has been removed, the operator could be struck by the rotating auger inside the chute, resulting in severe cuts, lacerations, or even limb loss.

Under state and federal law, snowblower manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their products are safe for consumer use. If a manufacturer, retailer, or rental shop negligently sold or leased a dangerously defective snowblower, they could be financially liable for the costs of any resulting accident. Please call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. at 585-939-3939 to discuss your Rochester snowblower accident with an attorney and learn about your options for recourse.

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System recently analyzed the prevalence of snowblower hand injuries sustained over a recent 15-year period. Researchers found that the most common injuries included:

1. Fractures: Snowblowers are powered by a series of chains and belts that turn screw-like augers. If a consumer attempts to repair a faulty snowblower by hand, they could sustain a fracture—or broken bone—if their hand or fingers are caught inside a moving belt or auger.
2. Lacerations: Augers are typically made of metal or rigid plastic. Many snowblower-related injuries occur when an individual reaches inside the snowblower chute to remove a suspected over-accumulation of compacted snow. If the snowblower regains power or is accidentally turned on, the moving auger could cut the operator.
3. Amputations: The Cleveland Clinic notes that simply turning off a snowblower’s motor does not mean it is safe to put a hand inside: stored energy and residual engine compression can cause the augers to begin spinning after a clog is resolved. In some instances, the stored energy can even cause compacted snow to eject at high speeds, resulting in blast-like injuries.

Snowblower manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure that their products are safe for consumer use. If a snowblower does not work as intended or has inherent flaws that increase the likelihood that a reasonable operator might injure themselves, the manufacturer could be held liable for any resulting damages. However, before receiving compensation, you will have to prove the following:

1. The snowblower was defective;
2. The defective snowblower caused your accident;
3. The manufacturer could have prevented the defect; and
4. The manufacturer’s negligence resulted in demonstrable damages that could be recoverable in court.

An experienced Rochester product liability attorney could help you secure the compensation you need and the justice you deserve. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to providing unparalleled personal injury service. We could help you investigate the causes of your snowblower accident injury, referring the defective device to industry experts who can assess its inherent flaws and demonstrate how the manufacturer could have prevented your accident. Please send us a message online or call us at 585-939-3939 to speak to a professional and explore your options for legal relief.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 585-939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!