PTO Accidents in Illinois

Helping Victims of Power Take-Off Accidents Recover Fair Compensation 

Power take-offs are a type of device used to power farm equipment with tractor engines. The PTO connects the machine or implement to the back of the tractor, allowing power to transfer to the attachment and enabling the worker to avoid using two engines. However, PTO accidents are common in agricultural settings, potentially causing serious injuries. 

If you have been hurt on the job or due to someone else’s negligence by a power take-off device, IL Work Injury Lawyer can help you secure compensation. Our Chicago-based farming accident law firm has handled numerous cases involving complex farming machinery and improper use, so we can advocate for fair benefits to ensure your losses are fully covered. 

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago-Based Law Firm

If you get injured while operating or being near a PTO device on a tractor, you need an experienced law firm to handle your case. Here are some settlements we have secured for past clients involved in farming accidents:

• $8.4 million – Malik, a 34-year-old farm technician, fell over 20 feet from a barn loft while inspecting a stuck PTO-driven feed mixer near Champaign. He suffered a severe brain injury and spinal fractures. The worksite lacked fall protection, and no lockout procedures were followed during maintenance.
• $7 million – While working on a malfunctioning rotary tiller near Galesburg, Rico’s sleeve got caught in an unguarded PTO shaft. He lost most of his right arm and required multiple reconstructive surgeries. The case targeted the equipment manufacturer for defective design and a lack of clear safety warnings.
• $4.2 million – Caleb and his crew were using a PTO-powered sprayer to treat crops outside Springfield when a valve failed, releasing a cloud of toxic chemicals. Several workers suffered permanent lung damage. Investigators found the sprayer lacked proper pressure controls, and the workers hadn’t been issued protective gear.
• $3.85 million – Nathan, a 19-year-old summer worker from southern Illinois, was hauling a PTO-powered hay baler when the tractor flipped on a slope. He was crushed beneath the equipment, sustaining massive internal injuries and lasting mobility loss. The employer had failed to install roll-over protection and provided no safety training.

Why Choose IL Work Injury Lawyer

The right team of top-rated attorneys can provide a positive outcome for your claim. At IL Work Injury Lawyer, we are recognized among the top 5% of attorneys by Super Lawyers. Some team members also serve as contributing authors to the National Law Review. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of PTO Shaft Accidents in Illinois?

The rotating PTO shaft is the primary cause of accidents related to this piece of equipment. Here are some common causes of PTO shaft accidents:

• Absence or removal of the master shield or guard
• Loose clothing, gloves, or hair getting caught
• Slipping off the tractor seat during operation
• Operating or adjusting the shaft while running
• Lack of training or supervision
• Failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures
• Using outdated or defective equipment
• No emergency shutoff mechanisms installed

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with PTO Entanglements?

Negligence can cause injuries to the operator, nearby farmers, and innocent bystanders. Here are some common farming injuries caused by PTO entanglements:

• Amputations of arms, legs, hands, or feet
• Crush injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (in thrown or pulled victims)
• Head injuries
• Death

What Damages Can Injured Victims Recover in Illinois?

The victim of a tractor or PTO incident can seek compensation for various legal damages. Economic damages include lost wages, medical care expenses (including hospital bills), future medical costs, and funeral costs for surviving family members after fatalities. Non-economic damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement, and loss of normal life. 

Some cases may include punitive damages, but only if gross negligence or intentional misconduct occurred. 

Example PTO Accident Payout

In 2014, a young girl named Isabella suffered a partial foot amputation and Achilles tendon injury when she was run over by a reversing lawn tractor. The girl’s family sued the operator of the tractor and the manufacturer, John Deere. The manufacturer contended that the no-mow-in-reverse function is not part of the design because it would shut off the shaft device, preventing operators from using attachments in reverse. 

Isabella’s family was awarded a settlement of $3.97 million from the driver, but John Deere was cleared of any wrongdoing. Settlement values in these cases depend on injury severity, insurance coverage, liability, and economic damages. 

Why You Need a PTO Entanglement Lawyer

A lawyer specializing in farm-related injuries, including PTO entanglements, can help you overcome numerous challenges with your claim. They will gather highly technical evidence, coordinate with experts to inspect and preserve equipment, request training records, and secure OSHA compliance documentation. 

Our firm has litigated in Cook County Circuit Court and rural courts across Illinois. 

How Common Are Power Take-Off Accidents?

Since 2020, there have been ten reports of PTO-related accidents in the US. Nine out of the ten cases resulted in fatalities. The federal government estimates that roughly 150 serious injuries are the result of entanglements each year. 

Where Do PTO Shaft Accidents Happen Most Often in Illinois?

Whether accidents are caused by improper disengaging practices, loose clothing, retrofitted parts, or a lack of safety equipment, these injuries can occur almost anywhere. Here are some locations that are more accident-prone in Illinois:

• Family-owned farms in McLean, Champaign, and Kankakee
• Equipment dealerships and rural co-ops
• Maintenance facilities servicing tractors
• Livestock operations where tractors power feeders and mixers
• Suburban agricultural plots in Rockford, Plainfield, and Peoria

What Laws Govern PTO Injury Claims in Illinois?

• 820 ILCS 305 – Injured farmers can seek workers’ comp benefits, though small farms that use less than 400 days of labor per quarter are exempt
• 740 ILCS 180/ – If the victim of the accident dies, surviving family members can seek wrongful death benefits
• 735 ILCS 5/2-21 – Manufacturers can be held liable for creating defective products
• 740 ILCS 130/ – Property owners must take reasonable care to create a safe environment
• 29 CFR 1928.57(c)(1) – PTO devices must have proper guards installed to prevent injuries

How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

Under state law 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you have two years to file a lawsuit for personal injury. 

Who Is Legally Liable for Power Take-Off Injuries in Illinois?

Determining the liable party is the key to winning a personal injury lawsuit. Here are some entities that may cause your farm equipment injuries. 

• Employers who failed to train employees properly
• Equipment manufacturers
• Maintenance contractors who left machines unsafe
• Farm owners or co-ops
• Property owners (if an injury occurred on someone else’s land, such as rented farms)
• Vendors selling modified or unsafe attachments

Common Defenses in Illinois PTO Entanglement Cases

Defense teams can use multiple arguments to undermine your case:

• The victim was partially at fault under comparative negligence law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116)
• The victim bypassed the guard
• The equipment was inappropriately modified after the sale
• Protective equipment and training were sufficient
• There were no previous accidents with the machinery

Our Chicago-based work injury lawyers can counter these defenses with expert analysis, inspection logs, and witness testimony. 

How to Strengthen Your PTO Injury Case in Illinois

Building a strong claim starts the moment you get injured by the PTO device on a tractor. Here are the steps you should follow to strengthen your case for compensation: 

• Seek immediate medical treatment and retain all medical records
• Do not allow equipment to be altered or repaired before the investigation
• Photograph the machinery and accident scene
• Preserve work logs, equipment manuals, and clothes for evidence
• Avoid speaking to insurers before consulting a lawyer
• Contact our top-rated firm early to protect your rights

How a PTO Entanglement Attorney Can Help

Our legal services can make all the difference in securing a positive settlement to cover your losses. Here is what our expert attorneys can do for your case:

• Preserve and inspect the shaft system
• Identify and sue all responsible third parties
• Coordinate with OSHA and machinery safety consultants
• Handle workers’ comp claims, injury lawsuits, and/or wrongful death suits
• Maximize compensation for amputations, loss of earnings, and pain
• Secure medical testimony from a doctor
• Litigate in both urban and rural Illinois courts

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a PTO accident lawyer in Illinois?

We use a contingency fee agreement with our clients, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. 

Who can file a power take-off injury lawsuit in Illinois?

Anyone who is injured by a tractor PTO shaft due to negligence can file an injury lawsuit, including operators, other employees, and bystanders.

Book a Free Consultation

Injuries resulting from machinery attached to a tractor can lead to physical, emotional, and financial suffering. At IL Work Injury Lawyer, we boast a 98% success rate, a statewide presence, and a compassionate approach to providing legal guidance. 

There are no upfront fees to work with us, and you can take advantage of a free consultation to ask questions about the incident.

Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.