Industrial cotton gin machines have been linked to dozens of reports of severe injuries, including amputations, crushed limbs, lacerations, burns, and death.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting cotton gin induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a cotton gin machine, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Personal Injury Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Texas Man Dies After Getting “Stuck” In Cotton Gin
In November 2022, authorities in Rosebud, Texas reported that a man died after getting “stuck” in a cotton gin. Falls County Sheriffs reported that the man died before deputies arrived on the scene at BF&M Co-op.
3 Workers Burned in Flower Grove Co-Op Cotton Gin Explosion
On the morning of October 15, 2020, at least 3 people were burned in a gas explosion at the Flower Grove Co-Op Cotton Gin in Martin County, Texas. Two workers in the facility’s office area suffered severe 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns. They were airlifted to hospitals in Lubbock and Lamesa. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but fire officials said static electricity may have sparked the propane explosion.
Cotton Gin Fire in Batesville, Texas
In January 2020, a massive fire at the Winter Garden Co-op Cotton Gin in Batesville, Texas burned more than 1,000 cotton bales. No one was injured, but the town of Batesville was evacuated as a precaution due to the smoke.
2 Workers Burned in Fire At Cotton Processing Facility
Two workers were hospitalized with serious burn injuries after a fire broke out at a Britz Inc. cotton processing facility in Five Points, California. Click here to read more.
What is a Cotton Gin?
Cotton gins mechanically separate cotton fibers from seeds and other debris. Modern cotton gins are massive industrial machines that process cotton in several stages, all of which pose safety hazards.
What is the Problem?
Workers in cotton gin factories face serious injury hazards at nearly every stage of the process. Many injuries occur when workers are pulled into the machine by spinning “teeth” that break up the cotton. In 1998, a worker died when his head was crushed inside a cotton gin press.
Safety Hazards of Cotton Gins
Cotton gins contain rotating saws, spiked cylinders, lint cleaners, and grid bars that break up the cotton and remove debris. Workers also face crushing hazards when the finished cotton is mechanically compressed into 500-pound blocks for storage and shipping.
Types of Cotton Gin Injuries
- Finger amputations
- Arm and leg amputations
- Crushed limbs
- Laceration wounds
- Bone fractures
- Scarring
- Burns from cotton gin fires
- Lung infections from breathing cotton dust
- Death
Source: OSHA
Worker’s Legs Amputated in Cotton Gin Accident
In December 2014, a man lost both of his legs in a gruesome cotton gin accident at the Humphreys Co-Op Gin & Elevator in Oklahoma. His legs were stuck in the cotton gin for 2 hours before he was rescued. One of his legs had to be amputated on-site to get him out of the machine. He was then airlifted to a hospital, where doctors amputated his other leg.
Alabama Man Loses Finger in Cotton Gin Accident
In December 2017, a worker at the Holtville Gin Cooperative in Alabama suffered a crushed finger that had to be amputated. The accident occurred when he reached into the lint cleaner to pull out a piece of trash. His gloved hand was pulled into the roller and it crushed his index finger.
Lawsuits for Cotton Gin Amputations
Amputation injuries are extremely painful and cause devastating long-term consequences. The victim is permanently disabled. They may be unable to work or enjoy the same quality of life. Workers’ Compensation typically pays for up-front costs, such as an ambulance ride to the ER or lost wages — but workers may qualify for more.
Cotton Gin Injury Lawsuits
Workers with severe injuries may be eligible for a significant amount of additional financial compensation if they file a lawsuit. For example, a cotton gin injury lawsuit might accuse the manufacturer of:
- Defective design
- Flawed manufacturing
- No warnings about safety hazards
- Selling a cotton gin with a known defect
- Choosing a more dangerous design over a safer one
How Much is My Lawsuit Worth?
Lawsuits for cotton gin injuries will likely seek compensation for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, lost income and future earning potential, decreased quality of life, disability, and more.
Do I have a Cotton Gin Injury Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting cotton gin induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a cotton gin machine, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Personal Injury Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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