If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 now for bleeding that will not stop, a deep cut to the hand, arm or leg, or any severed part.
- 2Shut off and unplug the saw, or have a coworker do it, so no one else is hurt.
- 3Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or bandage and keep pressure on it. Raise the limb if you can.
- 4If a finger or part was severed, tell the 911 dispatcher and follow their instructions on how to carry it to the hospital.
- 5Have someone tell your supervisor or foreman immediately. Report it in writing yourself as soon as you are able.
- 6Later, when it is safe, have someone photograph the saw, the blade, the guard and the work area. Do not let the saw be thrown away if you can help it.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Saw injuries happen with table saws, circular saws, chop saws, chainsaws and others on construction sites, in shops and on landscaping crews. A kickback, a missing or pinned-back guard, a dull or wrong blade, or a slipping workpiece can all play a part. Your written report should describe the saw, the cut you were making and what happened in the moment, in your own words.
Ask your employer to keep the saw as it was. The condition of the guard, blade and safety switches can matter later, especially if the tool may have been defective or someone else maintained it.
A workers' compensation claim generally starts once your employer notifies its insurer. Deadlines to report and to file vary by state, so contact your state's workers' compensation agency and your employer early, even while you are still in treatment.
Keep a folder with the incident report, photos, hospital papers, discharge notes and a log of every call and appointment. A family member can help keep it if your hand is injured.
Getting medical care
Serious saw injuries are usually treated first in an emergency setting, and some people are later referred to hand and upper extremity specialists, orthopedics or rehabilitation. A licensed clinician decides what care is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell every provider that the injury happened at work. After the emergency, some states and employers have rules about which provider you see for follow-up care, so ask the adjuster or your employer before switching or scheduling.
Ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery is often available, which can help a lot when you cannot drive or use one hand.
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
- You lost part of a finger, hand or limb, or the injury may affect how you use your hand permanently.
- The saw's guard or safety features failed, which may raise questions about the manufacturer or another company.
- The claim is denied or delayed, or follow-up specialist care or therapy is not approved.
- You cannot return to your trade and there are questions about disability or other work.
- You are told the injury was your fault and should not be reported as a work injury.
- You are offered a settlement and want to understand long-term costs first.
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
Recovery from a saw injury can be long, often with wound care, follow-up visits and hand therapy. Keeping every appointment and following home instructions matters for both healing and the record of your care.
Ask your clinician for written restrictions and share them with your employer. Some employers can offer modified work that does not require gripping tools or using the injured hand. If you are offered work that does not fit your restrictions, ask questions and keep notes.
Stay in regular contact with your adjuster. It is common to feel shaken after a saw injury; if fear of tools, sleep problems or flashbacks show up, mention them to your clinician too.
Questions to ask
- Will the saw be kept as it was after the accident, and who has it now?
- Was the blade guard in place and working?
- Which provider should I see for follow-up after the emergency room?
- Doctor, will I need hand therapy, and how long might recovery take?
- What restrictions should I give my employer?
- How are my work-injury prescriptions handled, and can they be delivered?
- Attorney, could the saw maker or another company be responsible?
- Attorney, how might a permanent injury affect my claim?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if I was injured by a power saw?
Call 911 for any heavy bleeding, deep cut or severed part, and press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth. Shut off the saw so no one else is hurt. Report the injury in writing once you are safe.
What do I do with a finger that was cut off by a saw?
Tell the 911 dispatcher right away and follow their instructions. They can tell you how to protect and carry the part to the hospital. Do not delay getting help.
Is a saw injury covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and the details. Injuries from tools used for your job are generally the kind of event workers' comp addresses. Report it promptly and ask your state's workers' compensation agency how it works.
Why should the saw be kept after the accident?
The saw's condition can show what went wrong. A missing guard, a damaged blade or a failed switch may matter, especially if another company made or maintained the tool. Ask your employer to preserve it.
Can I go back to work after a power saw injury?
Many people return in some form, but that decision is made with your clinician. Restrictions and recovery times vary widely. Ask about modified work that fits your limits.
Do I need an attorney after a serious saw injury?
Many people with serious or permanent hand injuries choose to consult a workers' compensation attorney. Questions about long-term care, disability and the tool maker are common reasons. Many offer a free first consultation.
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).