Chicago Circular Saw Accident Lawyer

Circular saws are powerful tools commonly used in construction and woodworking, but when defective or improperly maintained, they can cause devastating accidents. Our experienced circular saw accident lawyer team in Chicago is committed to helping injured individuals pursue maximum compensation for their injuries.

Common Causes of Circular Saw Accidents

Circular saw accidents can happen in an instant, leading to severe injuries and lifelong consequences. Many of these incidents are preventable with proper training, equipment maintenance, and adherence to occupational safety guidelines. Understanding the most common causes of saw-related injuries can help prevent accidents and protect workers and users.

Kickback: The Sudden and Unexpected Movement of the Saw

Kickback occurs when the blade binds, twists, or gets stuck, causing the circular saw to jerk backward toward the user. This sudden movement often results from using a dull or incorrect blade, cutting at the wrong angle, or encountering knots in the material. 

Kickback incidents can lead to injuries like deep cuts, crush injuries, or even amputations. Proper blade maintenance, correct cutting techniques, and avoiding loose clothing can help minimize the risk of kickback-related accidents.

Blade Contact: Lacerations and Amputations

One of the most serious risks of using a circular saw is accidental blade contact. When the user loses control, or the saw lacks proper safety guards, the spinning blade can cause severe lacerations or amputations. 

These injuries can result in significant blood loss and require immediate medical treatment. Wearing appropriate safety gear, ensuring blade guards are in place, and using correct hand positioning can help reduce the risk of blade contact injuries.

Loss of Control: Inexperience, Improper Technique, or Distractions

Inexperience, distractions, and improper handling are major factors in circular saw accidents. New or untrained users may struggle with proper technique, increasing the likelihood of losing control of the saw. 

Additionally, distractions or fatigue can lead to momentary lapses in attention, causing severe injuries. Following safety guidelines, using the correct stance, and maintaining full focus while operating power tools can help prevent these accidents.

Defective Circular Saw Design or Manufacturing

A defective saw may have faulty blade guards, trigger malfunctions, or weak structural components, increasing the risk of injuries. 

If a manufacturing defect causes an accident, victims may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer. Properly maintained and tested saws reduce the risk of malfunctions and defective equipment-related injuries.

Inadequate Safety Guards or Features

Safety guards are designed to prevent direct contact with the saw blade, but users face a much greater risk of injury when they are missing, improperly installed, or malfunctioning. Inadequate safety features can lead to severe cuts and even amputations. 

Always ensure that the circular saw’s guards are functioning correctly, and never disable or remove them.

Improper Blade Selection or Maintenance

Using the wrong blade for a task or failing to maintain it can cause significant issues. A dull blade increases friction, making it more likely to bind or cause kickback, while an incorrect blade type may not cut properly, leading to unstable movements. 

Regularly inspecting and sharpening blades and using the appropriate blade for the cut material can help prevent saw-related injuries.

Common Injuries Caused by Circular Saw Accidents

Due to the saw’s powerful, rapidly rotating blades, circular saw accidents frequently result in severe and life-altering injuries. Victims often face extensive medical treatment, substantial rehabilitation, prolonged recovery periods, lost income, and significant emotional trauma following these incidents. 

Deep Lacerations

Circular saw blades rotate at high speeds, easily penetrating skin, muscle, and bone. Even momentary contact with the spinning blade can cause severe, deep lacerations. These cuts often require immediate medical attention, stitches, and surgery, and may result in permanent scarring or significant loss of mobility and function.

Amputations (Fingers, Hands, Limbs)

Amputations rank among the most devastating consequences of circular and power saw accidents. Instantaneous contact with powerful blades can sever fingers, hands, or limbs entirely. Such catastrophic injuries dramatically impact victims’ lives, causing permanent disabilities, affecting future employment opportunities, and requiring extensive medical treatment and adaptive support.

Nerve Damage

Nerve damage commonly occurs when a circular saw accident causes deep tissue injuries or lacerations, severing or compressing nerves. These injuries may lead to lasting numbness, weakness, chronic pain, or permanent loss of function. Treatment often involves surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing medical management.

Tendon and Muscle Damage

Circular saw blades can deeply penetrate tissue, damaging muscles and tendons. Injuries to these structures compromise strength and movement, significantly impairing daily activities. Recovery from soft tissue injury usually involves complex surgical repairs, extended rehabilitation, and physical therapy to regain the injured area’s mobility, strength, and function.

Eye Injuries from Flying Debris

When operating circular saws, debris and small particles can eject at high velocities, striking the operator’s eyes. Without proper eye protection, victims risk severe corneal abrasions, punctures, or permanent blindness. Immediate medical intervention is essential, and eye injuries may require long-term vision rehabilitation and care.

Fractures

Fractures commonly occur during circular saw accidents, especially in cases of kickback or sudden loss of control. Users may sustain broken bones when blades bind or saws suddenly jerk backward. To restore proper function and strength to affected areas, fractures typically require medical immobilization, surgery, and prolonged physical therapy.

Liability in Circular Saw Accidents: Who is Responsible?

Determining responsibility in circular saw accidents is essential to recovering compensation. Multiple parties can be held liable, including manufacturers of defective products, negligent individuals, employers who fail to ensure workplace safety, or third parties whose carelessness contributed to the accident and resulting harm.

Product Liability 

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held legally responsible if a defective saw directly causes injuries. Defects may include faulty blade guards, defective blades, or poorly manufactured components. Victims can file product liability claims seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, and suffering related to defective products.

Negligence 

Circular saw accidents often result from user errors, such as failing to follow safety recommendations, wearing loose clothing, or improper blade maintenance. Additionally, third-party negligence—like coworkers improperly handling equipment or contractors neglecting safety standards—can lead to serious injuries, providing grounds for legal action.

Employer Liability

Employers are responsible for ensuring occupational safety, including proper employee training, providing functional safety guards, and maintaining power tools in good condition. If an employer fails to fulfill these obligations and causes worker injuries, they can be held liable through workers’ compensation claims.

Steps to Take After a Circular Saw Accident

Taking prompt, deliberate action after a circular saw accident is essential to protecting your health and establishing evidence for a successful claim.

Getting immediate medical attention ensures proper treatment and creates medical documentation, strengthening your injury claim and right to compensation for damages.

If possible, photograph or record videos of the accident scene, the circular saw, blade, any missing or defective safety guards, and your injuries sustained.

Collecting the names and contact information of coworkers or others who witnessed your circular saw accident can help you substantiate your version of events during legal proceedings. 

Immediately notify your employer after a circular saw accident. Prompt accident reporting supports your workers’ compensation claim and documents the event for future legal actions.

Filing a Lawsuit for a Circular Saw Injury in Illinois

If you’ve suffered injuries from a circular saw accident in Illinois, pursuing legal action helps secure compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain. Understanding the legal process involved will enable you to effectively protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

Consulting with a Chicago Circular Saw Accident Attorney

Immediately consult a knowledgeable circular saw accident attorney to discuss your injury claims, evaluate your case, and explore your legal options. 

An experienced attorney understands product liability, personal injury, and workplace negligence laws, improving your chances of successfully obtaining compensation.

Investigating the Accident and Identifying Liable Parties

Your lawyer conducts a detailed investigation into the accident, examines the blade and power tools involved, reviews medical records, gathers witness statements, and consults safety and engineering experts. This thorough investigation helps determine liability and builds a solid foundation for your legal claim.

Filing a Complaint in the Appropriate Court

Your attorney prepares and files a formal complaint with the proper Illinois court, clearly outlining allegations of negligence, product defects, or workplace safety violations. This document identifies defendants such as manufacturers, distributors, employers, or third-party contractors whose actions or products directly contributed to your injuries.

Negotiating a Settlement

After filing your lawsuit, your lawyer may negotiate a settlement with the defendant’s legal team or insurance representatives. A fair settlement resolves the matter efficiently, providing compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, future care, and emotional trauma without requiring you to go through a trial.

Going to Trial: Presenting Your Case in Court

Your case proceeds to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Your attorney manages jury selection, presents persuasive opening statements, submits evidence, including accident scene documentation and expert testimony, and delivers compelling closing arguments. The jury then deliberates, determining liability and appropriate compensation for your injuries.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Circular Saw Accident

Victims of circular saw accidents often experience significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Illinois law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation for various losses, ensuring they can recover from their injuries and rebuild their lives.

Economic Damages

Economic damages address measurable financial losses directly linked to your injuries. Compensation covers past and future medical expenses, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and specialized care. 

Economic damages include reimbursement for lost income due to missed work and compensation for any reduction in future earning capacity from permanent disability or impairment.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate victims for intangible harms caused by circular saw accidents. These damages include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and mental anguish. 

Victims can also receive compensation for disfigurement, permanent scarring, reduced quality of life, and loss of enjoyment in daily activities or personal relationships resulting from severe injuries.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Circular Saw Accident Lawsuit in Illinois

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including those involving circular saw accidents, is two years from the date of the injury. It is essential to file your claim within this timeframe to protect your rights and maintain eligibility for compensation.

This statute of limitations can be found under 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) 5/13-202. Consulting with a qualified lawyer promptly after your injury helps ensure your claim is filed on time.

Why You Need an Experienced Chicago Circular Saw Attorney Lawyer

After suffering injuries from a circular saw accident, having an experienced lawyer can significantly impact your case. We thoroughly investigate the accident, gathering crucial evidence, identifying liable parties, and consulting experts to build a strong claim. 

We handle complex negotiations with insurance companies, protecting your interests and ensuring you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. 

Skilled legal representation also guides you through every stage of the legal process, reducing stress and allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery while maximizing the compensation you deserve.

Book a Free Consultation!

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a circular saw accident, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to help. Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer team understands your physical, emotional, and financial difficulties. 

We provide aggressive, compassionate representation, pursuing fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.