NY & NJ Construction Tool Injury Attorneys
Power tools and hand tools are a part of almost every aspect of construction work. Some tools and equipment are clearly dangerous. A drill, a power saw or a nail gun can cause injuries if they are not used right or maintained correctly. Some tools hurt users because of a defect in the way they were designed or manufactured.
Workers who are injured by tool malfunctions on the job count on workers’ compensation benefits to see them through their recovery, but often find they are not enough. A worker who has been injured because of a malfunctioning construction tool or because they were not properly trained to use a particular tool could have the right to seek compensation for their financial losses and pain and suffering in a third-party lawsuit.
If you have been hurt by a defective or malfunctioning construction tool, contact the NY / NJ construction tool injury lawyers with Ginarte O’Dwyer Gonzalez Gallardo & Winograd, LLP. Contact us today using our online form or call 1-888-GINARTE (1-888-446-2783) for a free, no-obligation consultation and an explanation of your legal options.
NY & NJ Construction Tool Malfunctions and Injuries
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as state laws make employers responsible for certain aspects of workers’ safety. Workers who must use tools should be properly trained in their function, use and maintenance. They should know which tools are right for certain jobs. Workers should also be issued safety equipment like gloves, goggles and hardhats. Employers are responsible for ensuring that tools used at job sites function correctly.
Injuries can happen quickly when safety rules and procedures are ignored.
Power tools that perform work like cutting, drilling, grinding or nailing are inherently dangerous if not used correctly. Tools must have guards to prevent contact with their dangerous parts. Poor maintenance of power tools may result in damaged wiring or insulation that causes shock, electrocution and burn hazards. Construction tools may also fail to work properly when another person tampers with the tool. Knowingly removing safety guards or replacing parts of the tool with lesser quality parts may lead to serious physical injuries and even death.
Even a basic hand tool like a chisel or a hammer can cause injury if misused or improperly maintained. A chisel or metal wedge can shatter and send metal shards into someone’s eyes. The loosened head of a hammer can fly off and hit the user or someone else. Cutting tools that become dull can be dangerous.
In some cases, even a tool that has been used and maintained properly can cause an injury. Sometimes a company designs and/or manufactures tools that are defective. In a product liability lawsuit, a company that makes or sells a defective tool can be required to pay compensation to those who have been injured.
Many different injuries can result from a malfunctioning or defective tool. It depends on the type of tool and what went wrong. Some of the more common injuries from tool malfunctions include:
- Loss of fingers
- Loss of arms
- Loss of hands
- Loss of legs
- Burns
- Electrical shock
- Eye injuries and vision loss
- Crushing injuries
- Bone fractures
- Cuts and bleeding
Workers who are seriously injured by tool malfunctions or mishaps will face medical expenses, loss of work, and perhaps therapy and rehabilitation costs. They may have ongoing expenses for assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or prosthetics. There are psychological factors to consider, and the injured worker and/or family members may require counseling to deal with the profound changes in their life and lifestyle.
Money to pay for the losses and ongoing expenses caused by a construction tool accident in New Jersey or New York may be available through a legal claim against the injured worker’s employer or other responsible party at the worksite, or the tool manufacturer or seller. It is important to talk to the lawyers at the Ginarte law firm to find out what your case could involve. We work with a team of construction site experts, engineers and site investigators to discover what the cause of the worker’s injury was and to determine whether related suits may exist. We also work with doctors, surgeons, physical therapists and hospitals to provide proper medical recovery for the injured worker.
Contact a NY / NJ Construction Tool Accident Attorney Today
If you or a family member has suffered a workplace injury caused by a malfunction or improper use of a tool at a construction site, contact a New York or New Jersey construction tool accident attorney with the Ginarte law firm. We have more than 150 years of combined experience with claims arising from workplace injuries.
Contact the Ginarte law firm today using our online form or call 1-888-GINARTE (1-888-446-2783) for a free, no-obligation consultation and an explanation of your legal options. We collect fees only after you win your case.
