Lawn-mower Injuries and Safety
When summertime is upon us, we inevitably grab our lawn mowers out from the garage, dust them off and rev them up. With constant summer showers in the bright Sunshine State, we may as well call summertime the "lawn-mowing season."
But according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Black & Decker recalled about 160,000 cordless electric lawnmowers, because the mower's blades could unexpectedly turn on after the safety key, which was designed to shut the mower off completely, was removed.
Product defects and liability, such as in the case above, may lead to serious personal injuries and expensive medical bills. If you believe you have suffered from a defective product or were simply injured by a lawn-mowing accident, then contact the Coye Law Firm and speak with a Florida accident lawyer for legal counsel, regarding your personal injury.
Lawn-mower Injuries
Lawn mowers and their parts can be dangerous pieces of equipment. their rotating blades and gas tanks filled with flammable fuel may present a number of risks:
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs
These lawn-mower injuries and risks may be especially prevalent in children, and care should be taken when operating a lawn mower near or around them.
Safety and Tips
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) gave the following lawn-mower safety tips to avoid serious injuries:
- Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower
- Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers
- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing--not sandals
- Young children should be a safe distance from the area you are mowing
- Pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects
- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released
- Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary--carefully look for others behind you when you do
- Always wear eye and hearing protection
A Personal Injury Claim
Your grass may sprout quickly during summertime, and you may find yourself mowing your lawn every week or even twice a week. For some, this may be a relaxing activity. But you should remember the hazards and potential injuries that may occur when using a lawn mower. If you or anyone you know has been injured in a lawn-mowing accident, contact a Florida accident and personal injury attorney who might be able to help you through the process of recovering damages for medical expenses, possible lost wages and more.