Construction Site Nail Gun Accidents Are On The Rise

Nail Gun Injuries

The construction industry remains the highest at risk for nail gun-related accidents in the United States. The ability to use a powerful machine as effective and efficient as a nail gun has decreased the amount of time a job would take, yet comes with risk at every use. Construction sites that require the use of the power tool, often come from sheathing or framing work on a work piece. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nail gun accidents are accountable for around 37,000 emergency room visits annually, with 60% being work-related injuries. The most common nail gun injuries include puncture wounds to fingers and hands but could lead to more severe injuries or even death. 

• More than 50% of nail gun injuries result in damage to bones, tendons, nerves, and joints.
• Lower body parts are often damaged which include the knees, thighs, and feet.
• Severe cases have resulted in life-changing injuries like paralysis, brain damage, broken bones, and possibly death. 

What Types Of Nail Guns Are On The Market?

Consumers have the option of two types of nail guns, contact trigger or sequential trigger. Contact nail guns have the ability to fire continuously as the nosepiece of the gun is depressed. Sequential trigger nail guns require the trigger to be released and depressed each time the nail is fired.

As you can imagine, sequential nail guns can be considered the safer alternative of the two designs due to the safety contact tip, although both do carry their own flaws.

What Causes A Nail Gun Injury? - What Are Common Causes

There are a variety of reasons that could cause a nail gun injury, and unfortunately, most are preventable when workers follow nail gun safety protocols. When nail gun products fail to work properly or do not have the proper safety labeling, there becomes a high risk of severe injuries to the user.

Companies have a responsibility when manufacturing and selling products, to ensure the safety of their products before they leave the warehouse into the hands of consumers. When a consumer has a dangerous experience, the company becomes liable for any accidents, injuries, or even deaths that occur as a result of using nail guns that are defective.

The most common cause for nail gun accidents is the poor design of the power tool. Some examples of poor nail gun safety that we can account for include:

• The contact trip trigger can vary significantly depending on the model, causing an unnecessary safety hazard when a nail gun operator pulls the contact trigger causing an unintended nail discharge.
• Accidental double fire, which can be caused by a manufacturer defect that can cause risk factors that can trigger nail guns and cause nail penetration once the trigger squeezed.
• Faulty feeds or poor position nailing can cause the nail to fire sideways, nail ricochet, or even double fire.
• Lack of personal protective equipment can pose a safety threat to workers when the guns are placed in an awkward position, increasing the chances of an injury that'll require medical treatment.

Should I Contact A Nail Gun Accident Attorney? - Get Your Questions Answered

Nail gun lawsuits can be difficult, but with help from an experienced nail gun lawyer, we can work to determine the cause of your serious injuries and who is responsible for them. If you or a loved one has suffered nail gun injuries, please contact our legal team. We offer workers a free case review and can help begin your path to seeking compensation for injuries.

To learn more on the proper nail gun work procedures, visit the Centers For Disease Control site for information on how to prevent injury.

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