Belt Sander Accident Attorney

The Chicago belt sander injury attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are dedicated to serving the needs of anyone who has been injured on the job. We have found that defects in the design or quality of the machines many of our clients were operating at the time of their accidents played significant roles and have been able to recover compensation from the manufacturers of this defective equipment to cover the financial obligations victims have that cannot be covered through their workers compensation benefits.

If you have been injured in a belt sander accident, our construction accident lawyers can help you explore all legal avenues available to recover the maximum amount of damages the law will allow.

Types of Belt Sanders and Associated Dangers

The purpose of a belt sander is to smooth the surface of a metal or wooden object using sandpaper that is pulled through two wheels or drums by an electric motor. They come in a variety of sizes and forms and the larger, stationary ones are able to handle larger quantities of material in an efficient manner. The most popular belt sander manufacturers are Makita, DeWalt, Rikon, Ryobi, Bosch, Black and Decker, Porter-Cable, and Proxxon and Grizzly.

Whether workers are using a portable or stationary belt sander, they are likely to be exposed to large quantities of debris and sawdust thrown into the air as they sand down the wood or metal they are working on. This can cause injuries to the lungs over the time through the inhalation of fine particles and employees have reported lung diseases such as pleurisy, cancer and various forms of tumors.

Injuries Caused by Belt Sander Accidents in Chicago

In addition to repetitive use injuries and exposure to contaminants, workers may suffer any of the following due to belt sander defects.

• Injuries to the eye— debris thrown into the air can make it into the eyes, even when the worker is wearing protective gear. Fine particles can remain in the air for some time, making it possible for fine wood or metal shavings to enter the eyes where they become irritants. Serious damage may occur to the eyes (including vision loss and blindness) if the shavings scratch the cornea or become lodged in the eye.
• Lacerations— it is possible for lacerations to occur when the safety guard fails to adequately protect the machine operator. These deep cuts can even result in the need for amputation or result in the complete disfiguration of the affected limb.
• Burns— the surface of the material being sanded and the sander itself can become extremely hot due to the amount of friction generated and without proper safety measures in place, this can result in injury to the worker. One of the ways this may happen is when the guards in place to protect people from burns fail.
• Poor posture— it is possible to experience repetitive use injuries while using a belt sander over time, but these injuries can be accelerated if an employee does not operate the machine with proper posture. It is important that sufficient warnings are provided so that employees are aware of how to safely operate the machinery.

Belt Sander Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Put Our Experienced Chicago Belt Sander Lawyers to Work on Your Behalf

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is a leader in the protection of workers’ rights and has helped thousands of injured workers recover the maximum amount of compensation the law will provide for their injuries. If you have been injured, we can help you file your worker’s compensation claim while exploring additional avenues to make sure that you are able to cover all of the costs associated with your accident.

If a defect in the belt sander you were using contributed to your accident, we can seek additional compensation from the equipment manufacturer on the grounds of product liability. Contact our personal injury attorneys today to learn more about how we can give you the greatest chance of securing fair compensation for your injuries. If we are unable to recover compensation on your behalf, our services will be completely free of charge.

Further Reading for General Informational Purposes

• Control of Wood Dust From Horizontal Belt Sanders
• Safety Tips While Using Belt Sander