According to findings by the US Department of Labor, hand and finger injuries account for 23 percent of all work injuries reported. Based on these percentages, hand and finger injuries are the most common type of preventable workplace injuries; they are also the second highest cause of days missed from work, behind back and neck injuries.
Given these facts, it should come as no surprise that the San Francisco, CA work injury lawyers of Smith & Baltaxe, LLP take these kinds incidents so seriously. Hand and finger injuries in construction accidents can have short-term and long-term impact. With that in mind, we’d like to consider some facts regarding fingertip injuries among construction workers.
Causes of Hand Injuries
Some causes of hand injuries at construction sites may include:
- Lack of hand protection
- Falling objects
- Worker inattention
- Faulty equipment
- Unsafe work conditions
Crushed Fingers
Crushed fingers can occur when a hand gets pinched between building materials, caught in a door, crushed by equipment or vehicles, and so forth. Injuries to the nails and other tissues of the fingers and hands can be substantial.
Punctures and Lacerations to Fingers
Cuts and puncture wounds to the fingers can occur as a result of improper use of tools, sharp edges from building materials, and other matters. Nails, staples, and other fastening or securing items can pose a hazard as well.
Fractured Fingers
With all the hazards at a construction site, fractures to the fingers and other parts of the hand may occur. Even a minor fracture to the bones of the fingertips can require time away from work, or changes to a worker’s job duties,
Burns to the Fingers
Burns to the fingers may occur if people work around molten steel or other heated materials at a work site. There’s also a risk of burns from electrocution, which can affect the nerves of the fingers and hands and do lasting damage in the process.
Amputated Fingers
Serious injuries to the fingers and hands may not just result in fractures. There is the chance of workers losing the tips of their fingers, and possibly more of the fingers in serious accidents. Even if the amputated fingers are successfully reattached, grip strength and full use of the hands may be adversely affected.
How Preventable Are Hand and Finger Injuries?
Quite preventable.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 70 percent of finger and hand injuries could have been prevented if the worker was wearing gloves. Additionally, 30 percent of hand injuries were the result of a worker wearing the wrong kind of gloves for the work they were doing.
Ultimately, hand protection, like any protective gear, is crucial at a construction site.
How Our Work Injury Lawyers Can Help
Following a hand injury, our attorneys can help you if you’ve been denied worker’s compensation insurance benefits or if you’re considering legal action against your employer for unsafe working conditions. We will discuss your case in full detail, and help determine the ideal course of action given your injury and the circumstances that brought it about.
Contact Our Team of Attorneys
To learn more about your legal rights and options after a workplace mishap, be sure to contact our team of injury accident attorneys. The lawyers of Smith & Baltaxe, LLP are here to help. You can reach us by phone at (415) 292-7800.
