Whether you work in construction or you simply like to do some home improvements around the house, odds are you use tools on at least a semi-regular basis. Even the most experienced handymen injure themselves with tools at one time or another, but what if the injury was caused by a defect in the machine?
We touched on some of the basics of defective tool injuries in this blog, but today, we want to explore your options after you’ve been injured by a defective machine. Below, we share the five steps you should take after a defective tool injury in Minnesota.
Steps To Take After A Faulty Tool Injury
If you’ve been hurt by a manufacturing defect or a malfunctioning machine while at work or while off the clock, here are five steps you’ll want to take.
1. Save The Tool – You’re probably in pain and frustrated by the injury, but don’t just throw the tool in the trash or discard the machine on the job site. Save all parts, and any documentation about your purchase or how long you’ve had the item, as this can help strengthen your case and provide tangible proof of a defective product.
2. Get A Medical Evaluation – If you’ve suffered a serious injury, get medical attention right away. The sooner you get help, the more function may be saved, especially if you’ve severely damaged nerves or tendons. This will also result in official medical documentation, which you can submit during your injury claim process.
3. Document Everything – Keep detailed records of everything pertaining to your case. Keep records of your pain, symptoms, and how the injury is healing, but also keep track of your medical expenses, time lost from work, and who you talked to regarding your case. Starting a journal is not only an easy way to track all these relevant details, but it also allows you to put a time and date stamp on each event, which can be helpful when building your personal injury case.
4. Check For Recalls – Was your injury an isolated incident, or was the product under recall because others have suffered a similar fate? Perform some Google searches about the product in question to see if there are any outstanding recalls or if there are ongoing class action lawsuits
5. Contact a Defective Product Injury Lawyer – Finally, make sure you get in contact with a defective product lawyer in your area. At Hey Workers, we have helped numerous clients get personal injury awards after they’ve suffered an injury at the hands of faulty machinery. If you’ve followed all the above steps, your lawyer should have no problem putting together a strong case that not only will win you a compensation claim, but also maximize your potential award. To learn more how a lawyer can help with this process, reach out to Hey Workers today.
