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Angle Grinder Injury
The grinder injury attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC help injured workers recover the compensation they need to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages and out of pocket expenses following a tragic workplace accident.
Whenever equipment defects or faulty designs result in the malfunction of a device, it is possible for victims who have been harmed due to the defects to recover compensation from the manufacturer in addition to any benefits they may receive from their employers in the form of worker's compensation.
The product liability lawyers at our law firm help bring injury claims for construction site victims and their loved ones for their serious injuries, medial expenses, and even wrongful death damages. Our law offices works extensively in Illinois including Cook County but also has a broad network across the United States.
We can help you pursue workers' compensation claims after workplace injuries like an angle grinder accident! If you have been injured, we can help you learn more about your rights and options. Use our contact form or give us a phone call to receive a free consultation and case evaluation with one of our award-winning construction accident lawyers today.
The Purpose of Angle Grinders at the Chicago Workplace
Angle grinders can be equipped to serve many different functions and to operate with a wide variety of materials. Their general purpose is to cut, grind, smooth and polish the materials they are used on.
Most of these devices are handheld and can be powered through compressed air or an electric motor. They are highly adaptable for different environments due to their ability to be equipped with different blades and discs which can be comprised of diamond, wire brush, stone and other materials designed for the purpose at hand.
Popular angle grinder brands include Makita, Home and Decker, DeWalt, Hardin, Ingersoll Rand, Bare-Tool Hitachi, Bosch, Milwaukee, and King Arthur's Tools.
Types of Injuries Associated With Chicago Angle Grinder Accidents
While the dangers associated with angle grinders are well known, there is an expectation that these devices will operate as anticipated and that their safety features will help to reduce the chance of an accident or to mitigate the severity of the resulting injury. The severe injuries and personal injuries that may result from a defect can include the following.
- Injuries to the eyes— most of the injuries that occur to the eyes result from flying debris and can be mitigated through the use of protective eyewear, but larger pieces of stone, metal or other abrasive materials can easily cause injury regardless of whether eye protection is worn.
- Amputations— there are a number of reasons a victim would require amputation, including irreparable disfigurement, infection and the loss of the limb or digit during the accident.
- Lacerations— the person working with the grinder or those in the area may be cut by the grinder's plate or the debris that is produced. There are instances where flying pieces of wood, stone or other material can cause deep cuts which require immediate medical attention.
- Burns— side grinders can become very hot while in use and it is possible for the worker to be burned if the equipment overheats or the safety guard fails. Burns can require extensive care and leave disfiguring scars that remind the victim of the accident for the rest of his or her life.
- Injuries to the feet— it is also possible for the worker to injure his or her foot with a defective angle grinder, which could result in permanent disability.
Grinder Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Sample Grinder Accident Settlements & Verdicts
$5,000,000 Verdict; Tallahassee, Florida; 2015:
This dispute arose during a situation of brother love. Two brothers were working on some plumbing in the house. They were using an angle grinder to cut through some pipes. In the process of doing that, a piece of the blade broke off and shot into one of the man’s eyes. It left him blind in that eye. The man was even wearing protective eyeglasses but that did not stop the metal shard. The man brought sued and put his case to a jury. Despite claims from the defense that the man knew the device was defective, the plaintiff still maintained that it was unreasonable, dangerous, and responsible for his injuries. The jury agreed and awarded him $5 million for his damages including pain, suffering, medical expenses, disability, and disfigurement. Note, a portion of this award was lowered because of his contribution to the incident.
$2,000,000 Settlement; Cook County, Illinois; 2004:
Here, a man in his late twenties was using an angle grinder to perform some routine work at his job. Without warning, the power tool fell down on both of his hands as he tried to unjam it. A few of his fingers were crushed. One of them had to be amputated just above his knuckle. Surgery and other medical attention related to the events cost him over $70,000. He also predicted he would lose north of $1 million in lost wages because of the accident and subsequent disability. He sued the manufacturer. His complaint stated the warnings and guards were substandard. In a private agreement to end the matter, both sides settled for $2 million.
$2,811,000 Verdict; Cook County, Illinois; 1990:
This incident happened onsite at an Illinois construction company. An employee was using an angle grinder. The wheel was made by Gulf States and the pneumatic grinder was made by Ingersoll-Rand. It violently and randomly exploded. Some shrapnel hit a worker in the face. He was in his early forties. The damage to him was severe and immediate. He lost one eye, damaged another, and suffered lacerations across the face. He sued the two companies in a Chicago personal injury lawsuit for products liability. Ingersoll admitted its fault in the matter. That made the plaintiff’s case a bit easier. Eventually, he obtained a $2,811,000 jury award for disfigurement ($200,000), medical expenses ($21,000), lost income ($90,000), suffering and pain ($1,500,000), and disability ($1,000,000). Note, Gulf States was found not guilty of all charges.
This dispute arose during a situation of brother love. Two brothers were working on some plumbing in the house. They were using an angle grinder to cut through some pipes. In the process of doing that, a piece of the blade broke off and shot into one of the man’s eyes. It left him blind in that eye. The man was even wearing protective eyeglasses but that did not stop the metal shard. The man brought sued and put his case to a jury. Despite claims from the defense that the man knew the device was defective, the plaintiff still maintained that it was unreasonable, dangerous, and responsible for his injuries. The jury agreed and awarded him $5 million for his damages including pain, suffering, medical expenses, disability, and disfigurement. Note, a portion of this award was lowered because of his contribution to the incident.
$2,000,000 Settlement; Cook County, Illinois; 2004:
Here, a man in his late twenties was using an angle grinder to perform some routine work at his job. Without warning, the power tool fell down on both of his hands as he tried to unjam it. A few of his fingers were crushed. One of them had to be amputated just above his knuckle. Surgery and other medical attention related to the events cost him over $70,000. He also predicted he would lose north of $1 million in lost wages because of the accident and subsequent disability. He sued the manufacturer. His complaint stated the warnings and guards were substandard. In a private agreement to end the matter, both sides settled for $2 million.
$2,811,000 Verdict; Cook County, Illinois; 1990:
This incident happened onsite at an Illinois construction company. An employee was using an angle grinder. The wheel was made by Gulf States and the pneumatic grinder was made by Ingersoll-Rand. It violently and randomly exploded. Some shrapnel hit a worker in the face. He was in his early forties. The damage to him was severe and immediate. He lost one eye, damaged another, and suffered lacerations across the face. He sued the two companies in a Chicago personal injury lawsuit for products liability. Ingersoll admitted its fault in the matter. That made the plaintiff’s case a bit easier. Eventually, he obtained a $2,811,000 jury award for disfigurement ($200,000), medical expenses ($21,000), lost income ($90,000), suffering and pain ($1,500,000), and disability ($1,000,000). Note, Gulf States was found not guilty of all charges.
How a Proficient Illinois Angle Grinder Injury Lawyer can Help You Maximize Your Claim
In addition to recovering the worker's compensation you are guaranteed for your injuries, our construction worker injury attorneys can help determine whether your accident was the result of a defect in the equipment you were using. Product liability laws allow victims to recover compensation from equipment manufacturers when their products injure workers due to poor design or an unanticipated failure.
If your worker's compensation benefits are not sufficient to cover the entire financial impact of your injury, pursing damages from the device manufacturer is another way to ensure that your needs are met.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is a leading representative of injured workers throughout Illinois and we have helped thousands of clients recover the maximum amount of benefits that the law will allow. If you have been injured in a side grinder accident, contact us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our award-winning Chicago angle grinder injury attorneys today to learn more about your rights and legal options. If we are unable to secure compensation on your behalf, you will owe us nothing.