New York City Defective Power Tool Attorneys

Representing Workers Injured by Faulty Power Tools in New York

Construction workers often put themselves in serious danger of suffering catastrophic injuries while working to improve New York’s roads, utilities, buildings, and infrastructures. The least they can ask for is the maximum amount of safety while on the job and to have access to reliable equipment that will allow them to perform their work efficiently and diligently. However, that is sadly not the case as many workers can suffer traumatic injuries because of a defective power tool.

Nail guns, saws, drills, blowtorches, and other power tools are extremely dangerous when improperly handled or designed. If you suffered an injury because of a defective power tool, then you should not hesitate to hold the at-fault party liable in a product liability claim. But to ensure you receive the best legal aid available, you will need to contact the New York City defective power tool attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, by calling us at (212) 986-7353 to schedule a free consultation.

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What Are Some Types of Faulty Equipment?

Manufacturers have a duty to design equipment that is free of dangerous defects, otherwise, they can seriously injure anyone who comes in contact with the device. In addition, rental companies and retailers should always ensure that their products have not fallen into disrepair while in storage so that customers are not inadvertently injured.

For construction workers, there is a wide range of equipment that can cause on-the-job injuries, including:

• Saws
• Welders
• Nail guns
• Drills
• Blowtorches
• Sanders
• Grinders
• Buffers
• Jackhammers
• Spray guns
• Power washers
• Extension cables

These products can be defective for a variety of reasons, including lacking safety guards or faulty electrical components that lead to electric shocks or even fatal electrocutions. But electrical injuries are not the only injuries workers have to worry about.

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How Can Power Tools Injure Workers?

Even when they are properly manufactured, power tools are dangerous pieces of equipment that are often used for the demolition of a building. They can use a large amount of power, meaning hundreds of volts of electricity pass through them when in use, and can cause devastating injuries to users.

Construction workers who are injured by defective power tools often suffer:

• Burns
• Deep lacerations and amputations
• Open-head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries as a result of a laceration or blunt force trauma
• Nerve damage and paralysis
• Broken bones
• Electrical shocks
• Internal trauma from puncture wounds

In many cases, the defective power tool was part of a chain of events that led to another accident, such as a falling object or serious fall that further injured the worker. While the worker could pursue damages in a workers’ compensation claim if the construction supervisor did not set up the scaffolding correctly or employ anti-fall systems, they can also file a product liability claim if it is discovered that a faulty power tool caused the fall.

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Who Is to Blame for Your Injuries?

Defective power tools are often the result of a manufacturing error or design flaws, which means that the company that produced the product is likely the one at fault. In this instance, if the product injured you, you could pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer. However, other parties must also be investigated. In some cases, the defect was not the result of a manufacturing error but a mishandling on the part of a retailer or even another construction worker.

Retailers should always properly store power tools until they are ready for sale and, if a product is damaged, they should immediately pull it off the shelves. If at any point another customer damaged the product or returned it in a state of disrepair, the retailer has a duty to properly submit it for repairs before it can be sold to another worker. In addition, some companies rent equipment for short-term projects and should also make sure they are safe for use.

In some cases, the product was completely functional until it was used on a job, but another worker’s mishandling of it caused a defect. Both workers and supervisors should ensure all equipment is safe for use and, if a component or part could cause an injury, replace it instead of allowing anyone from using it. Failure to do so could not only lead to a workers’ compensation claim, but also a claim against the worker who damaged it if they are a third-party contractor.

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Contact a Compassionate New York City Construction Accident Injury Law Firm

Construction workers should be able to trust that the equipment they use is going to be free of defects and ensure they can do their jobs safely. However, when those tools are damaged, faulty, or defective, they can be extremely dangerous and result in costly injuries that follow the worker for the rest of their lives. However, many victims of defective power tools are eligible for proper compensation that includes all of the damages they have suffered at the hands of a negligent manufacturer.

If you were injured due to a faulty power tool, then reach out to the New York construction accident attorney at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. Our legal team is made up of lawyers who have passionately advocated for injured construction workers throughout New York City and can employ all of our resources to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Call us at (212) 986-7353 to learn how we can represent you after a serious injury.

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Additional Information

• Beware These Dangerous Tools
• Hand and Power Tools - OSHA