Virginia Power Tool Accident Attorneys

These days, there can be dozens of power tools at any given construction site, and for good reason. When used properly, power tools can help you complete a job faster, easier, and more efficiently. In fact, they are essential in any competitive construction company’s business today. However, when employers or workers are careless, or the power tools are deficient, devastating accidents can happen that cause severe injuries and, in some cases, even death. If that’s happened to you, you need the Virginia construction accident lawyers of CHASENBOSCOLO.

Nobody should be injured at a construction site because another person was careless or negligent. If you or a loved one was injured in Virginia by a power tool on a construction site and the accident was not your fault, you may have the right to file a claim and to seek compensation for your injuries.

At CHASENBOSCOLO, we’ve helped clients in Virginia who’ve been injured in construction site accidents get the compensation they deserve for over three decades. Call us today at (703) 538-1138 for a free consultation with one of our experienced power tool accident attorneys.

Most Common Types of Power Tool Accidents

Power tools can be a construction worker’s best friend. When used correctly, they drastically increase the speed and efficiency of completing a job. In fact, many jobs could not be completed at all if it weren’t for power tools.

But power tools also must be cared for properly and used with caution. When workers or employees ignore safety guidelines and act carelessly, power tool accidents can happen and cause devastating, life-altering injuries.

Below are some of the power tools that most commonly cause injuries:

Drills. When power drills are misused, or a worker is in a hurry and makes a mistake, it can cause gruesome and sometimes fatal injuries.
Nail guns. Power nailers can be essential on a construction job, but their misuse also leads to hundreds of injuries every year.
Electrical tools. Any electrical power tool can potentially shock, burn or electrocute a worker. Even a minor shock suffered in a dangerous location, such as on a scaffolding platform, can cause a dangerous fall, severe injuries, or death.
Saws. Mistakes made when using chainsaws, circular saws, and table saws can result in lost fingers or limbs. It’s important to always use the safety guards and features when using power saws.
Polishing and grinding tools. When the safety guard is removed from a buffing or grinding wheel, workers can suffer from severe abrasions. Flying particle injuries can also happen when proper safety equipment isn’t used while the tool is in operation.

Common Causes of Power Tool Accidents

Employers have an obligation to maintain a safe work environment for their employees. This involves training all employees in safety measures and regularly inspecting the tools and premises. When employers fail to provide a safe environment, they are in breach of their duty and can be held responsible for their negligence.

Some of the common causes of power tool accidents include:

Fatigue or carelessness. Construction workers work long hours, and fatigue can become a factor. When fatigue causes distractions or carelessness when a worker is using a power tool, accidents can happen.
Messy workspace. Maintaining a clean workspace is one of the fundamentals of a safe construction site. When employers and employees fail to keep the construction site clear of debris and other obstructions, the chances of accidents occurring increases drastically.
Lack of protection or safety equipment. Safety goggles, face guards and blade shields are just a few of the safety protections that should be used with certain power tools. Employers must provide proper safety equipment, or the risk of injuries increases.
Deficient equipment. If the power tool is faulty in any way, or if the company you work for is using cheap, outdated tools, this could contribute to or cause an accident.

Employers are responsible for training their employees and maintaining the condition of power tools. Unfortunately, employers often cut corners, and sometimes workers are injured as a result.

When you’re injured in a power tool accident, you may be out of work for a long time, which can make earning a living difficult. Before you file your workers’ compensation claim, you should speak with a qualified construction accident attorney. They can help you make the most of your workers’ compensation claim. They can also help you determine whether there’s a third party who may have contributed to your accident and may also be liable for the damages you’ve incurred.

Common Types of Power Tool Injuries

When power tools are used incorrectly, or malfunction, injuries can occur. An injury suffered from a power tool accident can be devastating and limit your ability to work and provide for your family. Some common injuries from power tools include:

Cuts and gashes
Broken bones and deep bruises
Puncture wounds and lacerations
Blunt force trauma
Amputations and dismemberment
Severe burns
Repetitive use injuries
Electric shocks

When you’re injured in a power tool accident, it can be a terrifying experience with both physical and psychological effects. Some victims who are injured using power tools also experience post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder that can make everyday life difficult.

FAQs

During the course of our work for people injured in power tool accidents, we’ve heard many questions from our clients. Following are some of the most common:

Who is liable for a power tool accident?

If you suffer an accident at work, even if you are working “off the books,” you are likely eligible to collect workers’ compensation to cover your medical costs and make up for lost income. However, in many instances, workers’ compensation benefits are not sufficient to cover the damages from the accident.

In some cases that involve negligence, employers or third parties that were responsible can be sued for additional compensation. Below are some of the potentially liable parties in a power tool accident.

The contractor. If a contractor failed to perform proper inspections and training or gave workers faulty equipment, they may be liable, and a claim can be brought against them.
The manufacturer. If the tool you were using that caused the accident was not manufactured properly, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the company that made it.
Property owners. When a safe workplace is not provided by the owners of the property where you’re working, they can potentially be held liable.

Don’t accept a settlement offer from an insurance agent until you first speak with a construction accident injury attorney in Virginia and discuss your situation. When a third party is responsible for your injury, filing a personal injury claim against them may be your best option to receive the compensation you deserve, and having a lawyer on your team is the best way to do it.

What should I do after a power tool accident?

First and foremost, seek medical attention after a power tool accident to make sure you are okay. Follow the healthcare practitioner’s advice and save all documentation from your visits. Second, take notes on what happened in the accident and notify your employer in writing about the event. If anyone witnessed the accident, take down their names and a statement. Do not accept any settlement that is offered to you by an insurance agent until after you’ve spoken to an attorney. Finally, contact a knowledgeable power tool accident attorney from CHASENBOSCOLO to discuss your case and how to proceed.

What can a power tool accident attorney do for me?

Construction site accidents involving power tools can be complicated for many different reasons. It’s not always simple to prove who was at fault for your power tool accident. An attorney can help you organize and analyze evidence and witness testimony to present your best possible case and improve your chances of obtaining full and fair compensation for your claim.

Power tool accidents might involve multiple attorneys and insurance companies as well. If you don’t have an attorney on your side, you might be cheated and convinced to take a low settlement offer. After all, insurance agencies are trying to save money for the companies they work for, not seek justice for your injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a power tool accident, contact an experienced power tool accident attorney in Virginia today.

Contact the Experienced Scaffolding Attorneys in Virginia Today

At CHASENBOSCOLO, we understand how devastating a serious power tool accident can be to you and your family. That’s why we work with compassion and dedication on behalf of all our clients who’ve been injured in a construction site accident that wasn’t their fault.

More than thirty years of helping clients who were wrongfully injured in construction accidents have distinguished our law firm as one of the best in Virginia, and we’ve recovered millions of dollars in settlements for clients over the years.

We also work on a contingency fee basis because we understand how difficult an injury can be financially for you and your family. That means there is no upfront cost for working with us—you only pay if we obtain compensation for you.

If you or a loved one has suffered a power tool accident injury in Virginia, contact CHASENBOSCOLO today at (703) 538-1138 to speak with one of our knowledgeable construction accident attorneys today.