Construction workers face more hazards because their environment poses significant safety risks. Some of the more common construction accidents leading to Workers’ Compensation claims involve electric shock, falls from ladders and scaffolding, being struck by objects, and serious hand injuries.
Most Common Hand Injuries That Occur on Construction Sites
More than 1 million American workers end up in emergency rooms each year because of serious hand and finger injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the only injuries that lead to more lost workdays are those involving the back. Many of these patients are construction workers because of the heavy, sharp, and motorized tools they use.
Among emergency room patients treated for hand injuries, approximately 70 percent were not wearing gloves at the time of injury. Besides that, about 30 percent were wearing them, but the gloves were either damaged or otherwise insufficient. These percentages could be reduced if more construction workers kept their gloves on.
Common work-related hand injuries include:
- Crush injuries: A construction worker’s hand can be crushed when it is caught between a rotating piece of equipment or two objects.
- Detachment: This is when a bone is forcibly pulled away from the bone and tissue, and the worst-case scenario would be an amputation.
- Fractured bones: These range from minor to severe and are classified as simple or compound fractures. The latter is more serious because the bones penetrate through the skin.
- Lacerations: Common hand injuries that occur when the skin tears.
- Puncture wounds: Puncture wounds occur when objects penetrate the skin and, in some cases, exit through the opposite side.
Without the use of one’s hands, working and daily activities can be challenging. Without help from others, doing those things can even seem impossible. On top of that, people who cannot use their hands often need to hire help with cooking, cleaning, driving, and child care. Obtaining Workers’ Compensation benefits can help cover these expenses.
Hand Injuries From Power Tools
The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and some state labor laws set and enforce safety standards for the use of dangerous machinery and tools.
There could be a third party responsible for your work-related hand injury. For example, a construction laborer who works for a plumbing contractor could be assigned to a general contractor that is not their employer. If that general contractor did not have the proper safety system in place, the injured laborer could have a case. Another example might be a manufacturer that made a defective power tool.
Preventing Hand Injuries on Construction Sites
The best way to prevent hand and finger injuries is to wear appropriate construction safety gloves when working. Employers can provide these, but workers often buy their own. Employers can require workers to wear gloves, and safety managers on construction sites can remind workers to put them on. Still, many forget to wear them or do not put them on because they impede their work. Others wear damaged ones or pairs that do not fit properly.
The risk of hand injuries can be reduced by as much as 60 percent when workers wear gloves suited to the work being performed. Modern technology has made them more sensitive to touch and more flexible, and there are different kinds designed for specific tasks. Site safety training is also essential, covering topics such as hand protection, personal protective equipment, first-aid procedures, and machine guards.
How Serious Are Hand Injuries?
This all depends on the nature of the injury. A minor fracture might warrant wearing a temporary splint and not significantly impact the worker’s activities. Other hand injuries can lead to a weakened grip, inability to bend the fingers, and reduced range of motion. When an injury is significant, the worker might not be able to use the hand at all.
Even though the hand is a relatively small body part, medical expenses for an injury to it can be high. A major laceration might cost around $10,000, but a severed tendon could be closer to $75,000. These costs could include:
- Medical imaging tests
- Surgery
- Follow-up appointments
- Medications
- Physical therapy
Rhoades & Morrow Represents Workers With Hand Injuries in Delaware
If you are dealing with a serious hand injury from a construction accident and need help with your claim, speak with our construction injury lawyers. Contact Rhoades & Morrow to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Wilmington, Newark, Milford, and Lewes, serving clients throughout the state.
