If you work on a New York construction site, you probably use or are around nail guns at some point during the day. These seemingly harmless tools can cause severe damage, sometimes creating dangerous circumstances and inflicting costly injuries. We at Hofmann and Schweitzer understand how serious these incidents can be, but also how difficult it can be to report. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about nail gun accidents.
First, it is important to realize that the type of gun you use can put you in more danger. A “contact” trigger is two times more likely to lead to injury than a “sequential” trigger gun. If you are using a contact trigger, a slight bump can lead to a big injury. If possible, choose to use a sequential trigger nail gun to reduce the chances of any accidents.
Next, understand that nail gun accidents are probably more common than you think. These dangerous tools land 37,000 people in the emergency room each year. Some workers feel that they do not need to report incidents if they do not lead to severe injuries, but making a record of the accident can lead to better safety regulations for workers across the state.
Nail gun accidents have led to injuries and death. Even if you only have a small cut, an infection can breed and create a bigger problem. Being hit with a nail in a vulnerable area can also lead to extensive bleeding or damaged organs.
Construction Workers I Know Didn't Report Their Nail Gun Injuries. Should I?
We understand that construction workers do not like to be injured. We know that contractors often do not like to hear about their workers’ injuries. However, as unpleasant as the whole situation may be, it is important that you promptly report your nail gun accident injury before things become even more complicated and before you suffer financial, physical and emotional consequences due to your accident injury.
Some construction workers who are hurt by nail guns are able to get right back to work. For these workers, reporting is important to help improve safety procedures and help prevent future, potentially more serious, accidents.
Other construction workers who are hurt by nail guns may require surgery or suffer permanent disabilities. For these workers, reporting is also important to improve future safety procedures, but it is also important to protect their own potential recoveries.
In addition to reporting your accident to your employer, it is also important to report it to an experienced New York City construction injury attorney. An experienced attorney can help you fight for the legal recovery that you deserve, which may include compensation for your medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income, and other expenses. For more information, we encourage you to contact us today at 1-800-362-9329 and to read a copy of our Free guide for injured construction workers.