New Jersey Work Injury: Dock Worker Loses Hand in Accident

Medical staff at University Medical Center were presented with a rather difficult case earlier in October when a man was brought to the facility with a severed hand. This was reportedly a work injury that the patient suffered while working at the APM container terminal at Port Elizabeth in New Jersey. This individual’s current condition is unknown.

According to a recent report, a 49-year-old male was taken to the hospital on Tues. Oct. 6, after his hand was ripped from his body after it got stuck in a hoist cable. This accident is just one of three serious accidents that occurred at the dock in the past three months – one of then resulting in fatality. This, of course, has caused the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to open an investigation.

At this time, it is unclear exactly how the accident happened. APM has not released a statement regarding this incident. A final report from OSHA is expected to be released by year’s end.

While, hopefully, the medical team was able to reattach the victim’s hand, there is no saying how functional the hand would be in the future. This incident has, undoubtedly, altered how this individual will be able to work and live. Workers’ compensation benefits are generally in place to protect a work injury victim like this man, so that he can receive both medical care and any financial support needed. Unfortunately, the funds provided may not seem like enough or fair for the circumstances. Legal help is available to assist those in New Jersey who have been hurt at work get the maximum amount of compensation possible for their injuries.

Source: nj.com, “Hospital tries to reattach dockworker’s severed hand“, Steve Strunsky, Oct. 6, 2015