Construction Saw Accidents, Injuries, and Recoveries

Construction saws are powerful machines. Often used to cut wood, concrete, stone, metal pipe, and other materials, these saws have a mighty bite. Many tools have diamond or abrasive blades because of their ability to slice through masonry—effective, but dangerous. Table saws often have blades rotating at 3,500 rpm—at this speed, an injury can happen in the blink of an eye. Circular saws have even faster blades.   

A saw accident could happen if:

• Saw safety devices such as bars and guards are missing or broken
• A blade breaks during cutting, sending out shards of hot metal
• Workers aren't appropriately trained on how to use saws safely
• Workers don't have the proper safety gear to wear
• A saw "kicks back" after its blade lodges in material
• Saws or other equipment aren't appropriately maintained
• The saw or blade has a design, manufacturing, or failure-to-warn defect

Any of these saw-related accidents might cause:

• Infection. Dirty blades or exposure to other contaminants could result in a dangerous infection.
• A deep laceration. The saw blade could cut your skin deeply. You may require sutures or staples, skin grafting, and other procedures and you may be out of work until you heal.
• Eye or facial injuries. Debris from what's being cut—including metal shavings, wood fragments, and masonry silica or chunks—could cause serious injuries without the right protection.
• Nerve damage. A deep cut might sever a nerve. Depending on the type of nerve, you may experience significant pain, weakness, numbness, or difficult moving.
• Amputation. Saw blades can be sharp enough to amputate a digit or limb. In some cases, the damage done by a deep laceration can be so complex that surgical amputation is necessary.

Medical treatment depends on your unique injuries but could include surgery, medications, hospitalization, physical therapy, and prosthetics.

Financial Recovery for Saw Injuries

In some cases, you may have a workers’ compensation claim against your employer for a saw-related injury experienced on the job. In other cases, you may have a third-party claim against the saw manufacturer.

It's important to pursue the right type of claim so you get the recovery you deserve. Start a live chat with Steven M. Lee, PC right now to find out more.

Related Links: Defective Equipment Hazards on Construction Sites Texas Workers’ Compensation for Amputation Injuries Construction Site Injuries and Workers’ Compensation

 

Construction Saw Accidents, Injuries, and Recoveries