What Are High-Pressure Injection Injuries?

Although high-pressure injection injuries are quite rare, it is important to be aware of them in case you are involved in an accident that involves this type of injury.

High-pressure injection injuries usually occur when workers and employees are hurt while on the job. However, these types of injuries can also occur while doing something as simple as home repair, auto maintenance, or engaging in a favorite hobby.

Defining high-pressure injection injuries

While high-pressure injection injuries can affect almost any part of the body, they commonly affect the hands. As the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) explains, “high-pressure injection injuries of the hand occur when the hand comes into contact with the nozzle of a high-pressure injecting system such as a paint gun or air compressor.”

Unfortunately, when an individual experiences this type of injury, the fluid or materials injected into the hand or fingers can travel all the way to the upper arm. Construction workers, carpenters, mechanics, and similar professionals are prone to high-pressure injection injuries.

What types of fluids or materials can be injected through a high-pressure injection machine?

Depending on what type of work you are doing or what type of activity you are involved in at the time of injury, there are several different types of fluids or materials that can be injected through a high-pressure injection machine. Here are some of the most common types of fluids or materials:

• Paint
• Water
• Gasoline
• Air
• Grease
• Hydraulic fluid
• Solvents

Even though these injuries are considered rare, many individuals in different industries use high-pressure injection machines to complete various duties and tasks. In fact, this equipment is very common and sometimes essential in many workplaces.

The types of injuries that may arise from high-pressure guns or compressors

Most of the time, high-pressure injection injuries are accidental. Some of the most common injuries that arise from high-pressure guns or compressors include:

• Cuts, punctures, and lacerations
• Infections
• Muscle, ligament, and soft-tissue damage
• Nerve and blood vessel damage
• Limb amputations or obliterations

How often do high-pressure injection injuries occur?

According to the NCBI, only one in 600 hand trauma cases involving high-pressure injection injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. However, regardless of how rare these injuries are, they can be very serious and life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms that indicate that you likely have a high-pressure injection injury

Some common symptoms of a high-pressure injection injury include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Punctures
• Excruciating pain
• Skin discoloration or paleness
• Low pulse
• Inability to move the affected limb
• Inability to feel the affected limb or injury
• Numbness or tingling
• Affected area cold to the touch

Techniques used to diagnose and assess a high-pressure injection injury in Gettysburg, PA

It is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately if you suspect that you might have a high-pressure injection injury because you will need a proper diagnosis in order to get the medical treatment you need. The following are examples of the techniques that might be used to diagnose and assess a high-pressure injection injury:

• CT and MRI imaging scans: A CT and MRI scan may be ordered to give the doctor a clear picture of how much soft tissue, muscle, ligament, and nerve damage has been done, and pinpoint where the injected material went.
• X-rays: X-rays help healthcare providers discern how much of the body or limb was impacted by the penetration wound. X-rays are typically ordered if the materials injected contain paint or dyes.
• Blood tests: Blood tests can determine whether the white blood cells have been altered and gauge the possibility of infection.
• Physical exams: Your doctor will physically examine the wound to assess the damage and determine the type of treatment needed.

What should I do if my high-pressure injection injury was not my fault?

If your high-pressure injection injury was not your fault, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim. When another party’s negligence causes your injuries, you should not be responsible for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consult with a Gettysburg personal injury lawyer about pursuing legal action against the liable parties and seeking compensation for your losses. They will help you understand the best course of action to take if you have been injured by a high-pressure machine.

If you sustained your injury at work, however, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Our work injury attorneys in Gettysburg can also help you make this claim if you are a covered employee. If you are ineligible for workers’ comp, however, a personal injury lawsuit may be your best hope for compensation. If your work injuries are the result of a defective tool or machine, it may not matter what your employment classification is: you can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer if you’re an employee or an independent contractor.

Did you sustain a high-pressure injection injury? If so, KBG Injury Law is here to help. Our team in Gettysburg, PA has experience and knowledge in these types of injuries; we can help you find a competent medical provider in the area and will help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve. If you are looking for a firm that takes these types of injuries seriously, call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation today. We have offices throughout Pennsylvania in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, York, Hanover, and Lancaster.