Power saws are an essential tool at most construction sites, but they can lead to serious hand injuries, most commonly finger amputation or finger injuries. Finger amputation and finger injuries often result in medical costs and loss of work. In addition, they can severely impact quality of life. Those who have been injured in construction accidents may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and should seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.

The construction accident attorneys of Golitko & Daly help clients suffering from finger amputation and finger saw injuries in and around Indianapolis, IN obtain the maximum settlement for their injuries. Please contact our legal team to learn more about your legal options.

Saws Are a Leading Cause of Finger Injuries 

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as many as 79,500 people seek medical treatment for saw-related injuries. Of these injuries, fingers account for over 89 percent.

The severity of these injuries can vary based on such factors as the type of saw, type of blade, and angle at which the finger contacts the blade. In some cases, only the skin will be cut while others may experience a deep laceration down to the tendons, nerves, arteries, or bones.

Causes of Saw-related Finger Amputation and Finger Injuries

Unfortunately, many saw-related finger amputations and injuries are caused by failure to follow proper safety precautions. However, when it comes to workplace accidents, failure to follow proper safety precautions may be a result of improper or insufficient training and not the fault of the injured, which is why it is essential for employers to ensure all employees and workers are fully trained when using power saws. 

Some other causes of injuries from table saws include:

• Not using a push stick
• Misadjusted blades
• Keeping a saw blade on when not in use
• Loose saw blades
• Holding the thumb or fingers over the wood when pushing through a saw
• Removing the blade guard or other safety devices
• Wood kick back
• Wearing loose clothing
• Failure to disconnect the power when performing maintenance on a mechanical saw
• Not paying full attention while working
• Product defect in a saw

Preventing Saw Injuries

The best way to prevent finger injuries and other saw-related injuries is to practice proper safety precautions at all times. This includes:

• Always use a push stick and never your hands when reaching the end of your cut
• Do not remove blade guards or other safety features
• Pay attention while using saws and never look away while cutting
• Let the saw reach full speed before cutting to prevent your work from shifting
• Never use a saw for something other than its intended purpose
• Always set blades at the right depth
• Avoid kickback by using sharp blades
• Power off and unplug a power saw before performing maintenance

You May Be Entitled to Compensation for Your Injury 

Those who have suffered a finger injury or amputation as a result of a product defect or the negligence of another, such as insufficient safety training from an employer, may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. If you have suffered a workplace injury or believe your injury was caused by a product defect, you are encouraged to contact the attorneys of Golitko & Daly to learn more about your legal rights.