On-the-job injuries are a regular occurrence. Thousands of workers across the United States are inured every day. While the laws do vary from state to state, most U.S. employers are required to maintain workers' compensation insurance on their employees. Workers' compensation insurance offers very precise benefits for workers who are hurt while on the job. Workers' comp offers medical benefits and covers about two-thirds of the lost wages suffered during the recovery process. If you have been hurt while working and using a woodchipper, a workers' comp claim might be able to help you and provide you with the relief that you need following such a serious accident. What is a Woodchipper? A wood chipper, which is sometimes called a tree chipper, is a machine used for reducing tree trunks or limbs into much smaller woodchips. Woodchippers are usually portable, so they are mounted on wheels with frames that make them suitable for towing behind a van, truck, or other vehicle. The components of a woodchipper include the chipper mechanism, a hopper with a collar, and the woodchip collection bin. The operator inserts a tree limb into the hopper and pushed down into the chipping mechanism. The woodchips exit through a chute and can be sent onto the ground or into a truck-mounted container. Because of the sharp blades that are required in the mechanism to chip up the wood, there is a significant danger of being cut by the machine. Any operator should be properly trained in usage. Injuries Sustained While Using a Woodchipper There is a real risk of being injured while using a woodchipper. Because of the blades and the design of the machine, there is a real risk of suffering serious lacerations or even having a limb amputated. Loose clothing or long hair can be caught in the machine and drag the operator in. There have also been reports of people falling in the woodchipper and being cut or even chopped up. Here are a few injuries that could be suffered while using a woodchipper: Deep Lacerations Amputations Crushed Bones Injuries can result from lifting and loading the wood chipper over and over. These motions can lead to repetitive motion injuries and trauma, such as: Muscle Sprains Muscle Strains Carpal Tunnel Back Injuries Spinal Injuries Any of these injuries can require intensive therapy and ongoing treatment. You might be unable to work for months following an accident while operating a woodchipper. Consult With a Workers' Compensation Attorney If you have suffered injuries on the job and especially while operating a woodchipper, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney. An attorney can help you file your workers' compensation claim and get the benefits that you are entitled to receive following a work-related accident. Your medical bills can mount quickly and you might be unable to work for quite some time, so a workers' comp attorney can help get your claim on track so you can make it until you are able to return to work or until other arrangements are made for your steady income. Schedule your free case evaluation today.
