NY / NJ Construction Tool Malfunction Injuries & Defective Tool Injuries

Workers use some sort of tools in almost every area of construction in New York and New Jersey. Some tools and equipment are clearly dangerous. But many tools are simple things people use in their daily lives. Even a basic tool like a drill or a saw or a nail gun can cause injuries if it isn’t maintained and used right. Some tools hurt users because of a defect in the way it was designed or made. If you have been hurt by a defective or malfunctioning tool, trust the NY / NJ construction accident lawyers at the Ginarte law firm. We can help you get the money you deserve from all of the responsible parties.

Talk to a New Jersey and New York construction tool injury lawyer today. Simply call 1-888-GINARTE. You can also fill out our online contact form. The Ginarte law firm has 25 lawyers ready to assist you with your construction injury case. Call today for a free consultation. We collect fees only if you win your case.

The Ginarte firm is one of the biggest in the NY / NJ metro area handling construction site accident claims. We have seven nearby offices: Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton and Perth Amboy.

Types Of Construction Tool Malfunctions

OSHA rules make employers responsible for keeping tools and equipment safe.  The NY Labor Law and the NY Industrial Code also contain numerous safety provisions. Workers who use tools are also entitled to safety equipment like goggles, gloves and hardhats. Injuries can happen quickly when safety rules are ignored.

Power tools pose several types of safety threats. Shock and burn hazards are present with any electric tool. Bad wiring or insulation can make an electric tool dangerous. Even a small shock is enough to cause heartbeat problems. Many power tools are also dangerous because they perform work like cutting, drilling or grinding or nailing. Tools must have guards to prevent contact with the dangerous parts. The odds of a tool injury go up when guards are removed or defective.

A basic hand tool like a chisel or a hammer can cause an injury if misused or improperly maintained. For example, the head of a hammer could fly off and hit the user or someone else. A chisel or metal wedge could shatter and send metal shards into someone’s eyes. Cutting tools can be dangerous if they become dull.

Workers must receive training about any tool they use. They should know which tools are right for certain jobs. Safety equipment must be provided to protect against tool-related injuries. Regular tool inspection and maintenance is also key.

In some cases, a tool can hurt someone even though it was used and maintained properly along with safety equipment. The company that designed and made a defective tool can be required to pay damages when someone is hurt. This is called a product liability lawsuit.

Injuries Caused By Defective or Malfunctioning Tools

There are many different injuries that can result from a tool malfunction. It depends on the type of tool and what went wrong with it. Some of the more common types of injuries from tool malfunctions include:

• Loss of fingers;
• Loss of arms;
• Loss of hands;
• Loss of legs;
• Burns;
• Electrical shock;
• Eye injuries and vision loss;
• Crushing injuries;
• Hairline and compound fractures;
• Broken bones; and
• Cuts and bleeding.

People Injured By Tools In Construction

Anyone who uses tools or is around tools at a construction site is at risk of injury from a tool. That means virtually everyone at a worksite could be hurt by a malfunctioning tool. Some of the trades and jobs where there is the potential for a tool-related injury include:

• Electricians;
• Heavy equipment operators;
• Framers;
• Masons;
• Painters;
• Carpenters;
• Drywall hangers;
• HVAC installers;
• Plumbers;
• Plasterers;
• Flooring and carpet installers;
• General laborers and helpers;
• Roofers;
• Welders;
• Window installers;
• Site supervisors;
• Ironworkers;
• Elevator specialists;
• Demolition workers;
• Insulation installers, and others.

Tool Malfunctions and Defects Can Cause Expensive Injuries

Some injuries from tools can lead to major medical bills and years of lost wages. If you lose a finger or a hand because of a tool malfunction, you might not be able to do the same work as before the accident. You might have to take a job that pays less. Or you might not be able to work at all. And that is after you have gone through costly medical procedures and rehab programs. Burns caused by faulty tools can also be very costly, as can eye injuries. If a tool injury takes a worker’s life, the family can be left without their main source of income.

Fortunately, it is possible to recover money to pay for these losses in an NY / NJ construction accident lawsuit. It is important to talk to the lawyers at the Ginarte law firm to find out what your case could involve.

Lawsuits Over NY Construction Accidents

The laws in New York require a safe workplace. That includes the tools and the equipment used on the job. If you get hurt because tools were not maintained or you didn’t get good training and safety equipment, you could be entitled to money for your injuries. The construction accident lawyers at the Ginarte firm know how to bring cases against developers, prime contractors, vendors, subcontractors, property owners and other responsible parties. We can also seek damages from a tool manufacturer if the tool was dangerous by design or because of the way it was made.

Because New York law sets strict deadlines for these types of lawsuits, you need to contact the Ginarte law firm now. Don’t risk having your case barred because you waited too long.

About NJ Construction Injury Claims

If your tool malfunction injury happened at a New Jersey construction site, you can still recover damages. New Jersey doesn’t have the same labor laws as New York. However, the Ginarte law firm has had success bringing construction accident claims under New Jersey negligence law. This requires you to show that the responsible party did something wrong to cause your injury. Breaking an OSHA rule is often a good way to show that someone was at fault. We often work with experts to figure out what rule was broken and how that led to your injury. If a defective tool was to blame, we will use products liability law to pursue a claim against the manufacturer or other responsible parties.

Talk To The Ginarte Law Firm About Your Tool-Related Injury

Get in touch with the Ginarte law firm today to find out how we can help you get the money you deserve. Call today for a free consultation at 1-888-GINARTE. If you prefer, fill out our online contact form. Our NY / NJ construction accident lawyers are ready to take a look at your tool-related injury claim. Let’s get started now.