Alton Worker Injured In Chainsaw Accident
Work Compensation - December 10, 2024
Worker Airlifted After Serious Injury to His Arm Caused by Chainsaw Accident on East Elm Street
ALTON, ILLINOIS (December 10, 2024) – A worker was seriously injured in an Alton chainsaw accident while cutting a tree along East Elm Street.
Madison County officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday. Two workers were cutting a tree when one of them sustained a serious injury to their arm from the chainsaw.
The victim was airlifted to the St. Louis trauma center in order to receive care. A full investigation into the chainsaw accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Alton Chainsaw Accidents
Accidents involving chainsaws are actually very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Each year, approximately 36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws. The potential risk of injury increases after hurricanes and other natural disasters, when chain saws are widely used to remove fallen or partially fallen trees and tree branches.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to chainsaw accidents.
- The safety gear that a worker is using may be insufficient. Generally speaking, workers should be provided with gloves, safety goggles, chaps, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidents.
- Poor maintenance with the chainsaw could also lead to accidents. For example, dull chains or loose chains could increase the risk of accidents.
- When the tip of a chainsaw comes into contact with an object, this can lead to kickback resulting in serious injuries.
Any worker injured in Illinois will typically have recourse through a worker’s compensation claim. Worker’s compensation in Illinois is based off of a no-fault insurance scheme. There is no need for an injured worker to show that one party or another contributed to their accident. It is available to all workers, regardless of fault. An injured worker may also have recourse through a third-party liability claim.
A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributes to an accident. One potential source of third-party liability is the company that manufactured a chainsaw. For example, a chainsaw may have a defective chain or chain brake that fails to activate in the event of an emergency. Chainsaws can cause very serious injuries and trauma.
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Death
It can be hard to know where to begin after any chainsaw accident. Many accident victims are burdened with high medical bills. They may also need to take extensive time away from work. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. They may be able to seek some level of justice through a product liability claim.
Investigating Illinois Chainsaw Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the worker injured in this Alton chainsaw accident. It is our sincere hope that he will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a chainsaw accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
