Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog
A Framingham Public Works employee was Med-Flighted to a Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston after he was injured by a 14 inch circular blade chop saw. The water department employee, who is in his 20s, suffered a left shoulder injury, but he was conscious and talking at the work site.The employee severely cut an artery in his arm while in the trenches. While working on a sewer issue, a gas-powered saw he was using kicked back and cut him in the shoulder. DPW co-workers used a belt as a tourniquet until first responders arrived on the scene. The Framingham Town manager stated, “They basically saved his life.”
The director of communications for the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development stated, “Framingham Police Department notified the (Massachusetts) Department of Labor Standards that a worker for the Framingham Water Authority received serious injuries while working in a trench with a circular saw.”
He also stated, “A DLS employee was immediately directed to the scene to conduct a survey of the worksite and interview witnesses and other public employees present. Our investigation will focus on whether common industry standards for safety were in place, why the accident happened and how similar accidents can be prevented in the future. DLS is tasked with looking into public sector occupational accidents and helping employers to ensure the safety of public workers.”
Pulgini & Norton, LLP attorneys have handled workers’ compensation claims for over 25 years in and around Boston and its surrounding areas. If you or a family member has been injured at work and would like to seek legal assistance, please contact us at (781) 843-2200 or (888) 344-2046 or email us.
Cited Sources:
Artery Severed in Saw Mishap, Framingham Patch, February 27, 2013