Chest Trauma in a Drill Press Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Most people understand that damage to the chest can lead to serious medical problems. Home to vital organs such as the heart and lungs, the chest is protected by the rib cage. Unfortunately, these ribs often aren’t enough to prevent people from suffering major medical complications if they experience chest trauma. According to a study that was recently published in the Surgical Clinics of North America:
- Injuries to the chest are cited as the cause of death in around a quarter of all traumatic fatalities in the developed world.
- Chest injuries are cited as a contributing factor in another 25 percent of deaths due to trauma.
- Chest trauma can be held responsible for about half of all deaths related to traumatic injuries.
There are many different ways that someone can sustain chest trauma. Some of the most commonly cited causes of chest trauma include:
- Sports-related injuries, such as tackles and fall impacts.
- Auto accidents, including impacts to the chest from the steering wheel and dashboard.
- Machine-related accidents, including blunt-force trauma from heavy equipment, crush injuries and penetrating injuries.
Chest trauma is a major concern in industries which rely on heavy equipment. Damage to the chest can lead to heart issues, lung damage, and, ultimately, death.
A Case Report: Penetrating Trauma from a Drill Press Accident
A case report described a young worker who was performing a task using a drill press. Unfortunately, he lost control of the drill press and was sucked into the machine. He sustained a penetrating injury to his chest, sending blood everywhere. He asked for help and workers quickly arrived on the scene. He was transported to a near by hospital in a shock-like state. He was suffering altered mental status from a severe loss of blood. He received multiple liters of intravenous fluid and several units of blood products to restore his blood pressure. He received imaging and was found to have sustained damage to several major blood vessels, in addition to multiple rib fractures. He was taken to an operating room where his injuries were repaired. The young man spent numerous days in the hospital recovering from his injuries and then required physical therapy before he was able to return to work. This case should serve to highlight the severity of injuries which could be caused by a drill press.
Preventing Injuries with a Drill Press
Fortunately, this young man was helped quickly and received the medical care that he required. Even though it is important to sing praises of those who undoubtedly saved this man’s life, it is just as important to analyze what can be done to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. Some important tips to remember when working with drill presses include:
- Do not wear any loose clothing or jewelry. It could lead to machine entanglement injuries.
- Everyone working with a drill press must have the proper protective equipment available.
- Those who work with a drill press must be extensively trained so that they can use the equipment safely.
Watch YouTube Video: Drill Press Safety Video. This video demonstrates how to operate the drill press safely.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Injuries involving a drill press could be fatal. If you or someone you know has been injured while working with a drill press, contact me for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
I’ve assisted many individuals in the Northern California area, including Sacramento, with their wrongful death and personal injury cases over the past three decades. I help injured individuals, and their family members receive the compensation that they are entitled to.
I’m a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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