Nail gun accidents are widely known to happen on construction sites for a variety of reasons. The most common accidents tend to be in the head, nails, and legs. However, recently, a builder shot himself in the crotch area- and survived.
Builder Accidentally Aims For His Crotch 
On February 27, Swansea builder Sam Rees accidentally fired a nail into his crotch area and lived to tell the tale; he even took pictures of the near miss. As per his account, the nail was 90mm in length and embedded itself 70mm into his crotch, missing a crucial artery by a mere 10mm. Though the action hero in all of us may have been tempted to remove the nail without medical assistance, Rees learned after the fact that he would have bled to death if he’d done so.
The 22-year-old later underwent a minor surgical procedure to remove the nail and was able to make a full recovery. The young builder has admitted that this was indeed a stupid accident and one which his coworkers have made fun of him for. However, this “stupid accident” could have ended very badly.
Freak Injuries Occur Everyday
Though it is tempting to get swept up in the novelty of an accident like this, it remains true that freak injuries occur every day, even in workplaces that do not lend themselves to high-risk situations. A moment of carelessness or inattention can result in a life-altering injury. These injuries can put your job in jeopardy, if not your livelihood. For this reason, should you happen to injure yourself on the job, no matter how embarrassing the injury and regardless of whether or not you think that you might be at fault, it is vital to contact a personal injury attorney who can assist you in building the most persuasive case possible.
It is a little-known fact that in New York State, neither the employee nor the employer can be held at fault unless the employee was intoxicated on drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. While we can’t speak for Mr. Rees, if you were in your right state of mind when you were injured, there is no reason that you shouldn’t receive the full range of benefits accorded to you within the law. These laws exist to benefit both parties: to protect businesses, and to ensure that injured workers receive the care that they deserve. Still, each workers’ compensation application must meet a series of standards in order to be approved.
Worksite Injury Criteria
Consider the following criteria if you were injured on a worksite:
- Were you injured at work?
- Have you consulted a physician as recommended?
- Did you adhere to the treatment/medication regimen prescribed by that physician?
- Has your injury caused you to miss more than seven full days of work?
If the answer to all of these questions is yes and if you were not intoxicated at the time of the accident, then you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. That said, as with any legal transaction, there is plenty of fine print, and it is possible that your employer will attempt to dispute your claim. Should this occur, it is in your best interest to seek out a nail gun personal injury lawyer who will stand up for your rights. Experienced personal injury lawyers are familiar with the sorts of negotiations that occur between employers and employees, and will be able to maneuver the situation into an arena where both parties benefit. Both parties benefit with the employee receiving the workers’ compensation for their pain and suffering and the employer having a productive and healthy laborer return to work.
Depending on the severity of the injury, New York State law allows for twelve weeks of workers’ compensation and beyond. Let Sam Rees’ nail gun serve as a wake-up call for anyone on a job site. The best way to deal with an injury is to try and avoid it in the first place. But life is unpredictable and manual labor is no exception. When the unthinkable happens, remember your rights, follow the guidelines, and contact a personal injury lawyer to shore up your case. Your livelihood depends on it.
