Carpentry is an in-demand occupation and carpenters work on many different types of projects, including but not limited to the construction of buildings, bridge building, shipbuilding, and concrete framework.
The very nature of the work means that carpenters are working in potentially dangerous environments and surrounded by tools that could cause carpentry accidents on a daily basis.
Tools Frequently Used By Carpenters
It’s true that tools can decrease the amount of time it takes to complete a project and can also help to keep a carpenter from harm, however, if a tool is used improperly or malfunctions, it can harm the user. Tools commonly used by carpenters include:
Nail Guns: Nail guns can misfire, sending multiple nails in random directions. There have been many reported instances of workers being rushed to the hospital with a nail in their face, eye, or even brain.- Table and handheld saws: To state the obvious, if a saw malfunctions, a carpenter can suffer from a laceration or amputation.
- Sanders: Sanding tools may not seem dangerous, however, fingers and hands can be hurt if a sander malfunctions. In addition to this, respiratory safety must be taken into account.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a tool or an accident, the bottom line is that the injuries commonly sustained by carpenters can cost thousands of dollars to treat and can end a career.
Common Carpenter Injuries
The following are the most common injuries sustained in carpentry:
- Amputations: The most frequently reported amputations include fingers and hands.
- Lacerations: If deep enough, a laceration can cause damage to tendons, muscles, and nerves.
- Puncture Wounds: Nails, screws, staples, and sharp tools can cause puncture wounds.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: There are many ways in which a traumatic brain injury may occur – falling objects, a slip and fall accident, or any blow to the head can damage the brain.
- Back Injury: Herniated discs, muscle strains, and spinal cord injuries are just a few of the back injuries that may impact a career.
- Eye Injuries: Wooden splinters or other objects flying through the air could puncture the eye.
- Electrocutions: Yes, carpenters work with wood. But they frequently have to work around exposed wiring and with power tools, which could cause electrocution.
Injuries like these can cost thousands or even millions of dollars to treat. Ongoing healthcare, including physical therapy and more, is often necessary. Thankfully, workers’ compensation helps to pay for such medical treatments.
Philadelphia Carpenter Workplace Accident Lawyers
In a large number of carpentry work accidents, and due to the nature of the work, victims generally lose the ability to return to work right away. Depending on the severity of the carpentry accident, this inability to work can be temporary or even permanent as is often the case when amputation results.
For this reason, it’s important for a carpenter’s workers’ comp benefits to consider this fact – that the income for a household could stop completely as a result of the injury. All dependents of the victim can be affected, not just the victim themselves. Moreover, when permanent disability occurs, victims will also require ongoing benefits.
Through the workers’ comp system, as well as various disability benefit programs, victims of carpenter injuries can receive compensation. This compensation can help pay for medical bills as mentioned above, but it can also pay for some lost wages and other damages.
Regrettably, the process of applying for and being awarded such necessary compensation can be very complex. For this reason, victims of carpentry accident of any kind should seek the help of an experienced injury legal team that can help them get their maximum potential compensation.
All cases of carpentry injuries are different from one another, so it’s nearly impossible to say how much a specific case is worth before it is actually submitted for consideration with the State’s Worker’s Compensation Board. However, this is all the more reason to reach out to the experienced personal injury and workers’ comp lawyers at Schuster Law. If you have any questions regarding your potential case and compensation, or about other claims, denials, or appeals, contact us today for a free legal consultation.
