If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Disconnect the nail gun from air or remove the battery so it can't fire again.
- 2Do not pull out a nail that's embedded. Keep the body part still and supported.
- 3Call 911 for a nail in the head, eye, neck, chest or abdomen, heavy bleeding, or if you feel faint.
- 4For bleeding around the nail, apply gentle pressure around it, not on it.
- 5Get to emergency care or urgent care even for a nail through the finger or boot.
- 6Tell your foreman or supervisor and report the injury in writing. Keep a copy.
- 7Keep the nail gun and note the model and firing mode. Take photos of the setup if it's safe.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
In your written report, describe the task — framing, sheathing, roofing, decking, trim — and what happened: a double fire, a nail that ricocheted off a knot or metal, a nail that went through thin material, or bumping the trigger while moving. Mention whether the tool was set to single-shot or contact (bump) firing if you know.
Construction sites often involve a general contractor, subcontractors and tool rental companies. Your report goes to your own employer, but write down who owned the tool, who maintained it, and who controlled the site.
Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator to start a workers' compensation claim. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep photos of the injury and the tool, the names of crew members who saw it, medical paperwork, and a log of missed days.
Getting medical care
Embedded nails are usually removed by clinicians in an emergency department or urgent care, sometimes after imaging to see where the nail went. Injuries to the hand or foot are often followed up by a hand specialist, podiatry or orthopedics. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician it was a nail gun at work and, if you can, what kind of nail — some have barbs, coatings or glue that matter. Mention numbness, trouble moving a finger or toe, or increasing pain later. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask, but don't delay emergency care.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home. Watch for signs of infection and go back if they appear.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- The nail damaged a tendon, nerve, bone or joint, or you have lasting loss of function.
- The nail gun may have malfunctioned or had a defect.
- The tool was owned or maintained by another company, or the site was controlled by a general contractor.
- You're told you are a contractor without coverage.
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or you're blamed for using bump-fire mode.
- You cannot return to construction work.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow wound care instructions closely and keep follow-up visits. Puncture wounds can trap dirt and debris deep inside, so watch for redness, swelling, warmth, pus or fever.
Ask your doctor for restrictions — no gripping, no climbing, wearing a protective shoe — and ask your employer whether lighter tasks are available on site or in the shop.
Keep your foreman and adjuster updated after every appointment. If a finger or foot stays stiff or numb, ask your clinician about therapy.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Did the nail hit a bone, tendon or nerve?
- Doctor: What signs of infection should I watch for?
- Employer: Who owns and maintains the nail gun, and has it been inspected?
- Employer: Can I do lighter work while this heals?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and who do I see for follow-up?
- Adjuster: How is hand or foot therapy handled under my claim?
- Attorney: The tool double-fired. Does that change my options?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after a construction nail gun injury?
Disconnect the tool, leave any embedded nail in place and get emergency or urgent care. Call 911 for nails in the head, eye, chest or belly, or heavy bleeding. Report the injury in writing to your foreman.
Should I pull out a nail from a nail gun injury?
No, it is generally safer to leave an embedded nail in place and let clinicians remove it. Pulling it can cause more damage or bleeding. Keep the area still and get care.
Is a nail through the hand or foot serious?
It can be, because nails can reach tendons, nerves, bones or joints and can carry debris. Get it evaluated promptly. A clinician may order imaging.
Is a nail gun injury covered by workers' comp?
Nail gun injuries on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and your work status. Report it in writing right away. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
What if the nail gun malfunctioned?
Keep the tool if possible, note the model and firing mode and tell your supervisor. A defective tool may raise questions beyond workers' compensation. Many people talk with an attorney.
Can I work on site after a nail gun injury?
That depends on the injury and your doctor's restrictions. Ask for them in writing. Your employer may have shop or lighter tasks.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).