Legal Help for Pneumatic Impact Tools and Jackhammer Accidents in the Workplace

Working in the construction field with associated heavy machinery comes with a variety of risks. One prevalent hazard is pneumatic impact tools and jackhammers as they are used at many job sites. While much of the risk can be mitigated by following safety rules and guidelines, accidents still happen and you deserve to be compensated. Below, the legal team at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. discuss how to seek legal help following a pneumatic impact tool injury. 

What Is a Pneumatic Impact Tool?

Pneumatic impact tools are power tools that use forced compressed air to assist in a task. The powerful air alleviates some of the effort that needs to be expended by a worker. For example, using a jackhammer cuts down the work time of breaking up concrete without the power tool. In addition to jackhammers, smaller hand tools, such as staple guns and brad nail guns, also use pneumatic impact technology. 

Due to the degree of injury possible following pneumatic impact tool and jackhammer accidents, it is worth it to determine who is at fault and whether you may be compensated for the injury. If you or a loved one have experienced amputation, serious lacerations, carpal tunnel, or even death due to a pneumatic impact tool accident, you may be able to receive a compensatory settlement.

How Common Are Pneumatic Impact Tool and Jackhammer Accidents?

Working with pneumatic impact tools poses risk, but these tools make many construction tasks possible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets specific safety regulations for hand power tools that are intended to protect employees and others and aim to cut down on workplace accidents. Despite these safety regulations, the agency receives reports from many workers that are injured each year.

While many factors can cause these accidents to happen, some of the most common ways people are injured by pneumatic impact tools and jackhammers include:

• Staple guns shooting staples through the hand of a worker
• Brad nail guns shooting nails through the hand or limb of a worker
• An employee losing control of a jackhammer and drills through or into his or her foot or leg
• The compression tank of a pneumatically powered tool exploding
• Air pressure causing a cap or mechanical part to fly off and hit an employee in the eye 

I’ve Experienced a Pneumatic Impact Tool or Jackhammer Accident. What Can I Do?

Employers have a duty to provide the highest levels of safety for their employees. If they do not carry out this responsibility to its fullest extent, they may be responsible for the injury and the injured party or their beneficiaries have a legal right to file a claim. 

If you believe you are a victim of negligence following a pneumatic impact tool or jackhammer accident, it is crucial that you seek out legal representation. While the average individual may not know how to prove a defendant was negligent, a legal professional can evaluate the claim and detect potential avenues for compensation that someone with no legal training may overlook. Additionally, an experienced personal injury attorney is necessary to obtain the best result and recover damages from these catastrophic injuries.

Contact the New York Attorneys at SPBMCC To Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has recently been injured by pneumatic impact tools and believe negligence is at fault, it is essential to speak with an attorney as soon as possible about your potential options for legal recourse. Contact SPBMCC today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Call (212) 732-9000 today.