Woodworking injury absurditiy

[paulrussell]

But not the kind of thing you would expect. Two weeks ago I got a sliver (or for you non-midwesterners, a splinter) in my index finger which I immediatly pulled out, washed the wound, treated it with triple antibiotic cream and wrapped it in a band-aid. Two days later it hurt like you wouldn't believe and I was put on oral antibiotics. A week later no improvement so they cut it open and found more splinter, which they removed. Three days later, feeling better but still not right I notice a dark spot and tweeze even MORE splinter out.

It is finally on the mend. I never thought a simple splinter could cause so much trouble!

[dusty]

But not the kind of thing you would expect. Two weeks ago I got a sliver (or for you non-midwesterners, a splinter) in my index finger which I immediatly pulled out, washed the wound, treated it with triple antibiotic cream and wrapped it in a band-aid. Two days later it hurt like you wouldn't believe and I was put on oral antibiotics. A week later no improvement so they cut it open and found more splinter, which they removed. Three days later, feeling better but still not right I notice a dark spot and tweeze even MORE splinter out.

It is finally on the mend. I never thought a simple splinter could cause so much trouble!

I got one from a piece of purple heart. It became infected and was sore for about a month. The least little pressure on the location caused pain. I finally had to have it surgically removed.

I wonder if that is counted as a wood working accident.

[dgale]

A kid who worked for me about 10 years ago was cutting firewood and got a redwood splinter in his finger (why he was cutting redwood for firewood I'm not sure...there's much better firewood around). Anyway, it started to fester and of course being young and invincible, he ignored it...long story short, by the time it got systemic and he bothered to see a Doctor, he ended up getting the finger amputated to the 2nd knuckle. I don't remember how long but it didn't take very long to get to that state either.

[db5]

I never thought a simple splinter could cause so much trouble!

You misdiagnosed the malady. It was not a simple splinter. It was a compound splinter, broken in two places, producing 3 pieces. Hope you never break a bone and the doctor's diagnosis is "simple fracture" when it is "compound".

Of course, it is so much easier to diagnose things after all the results are in. Sort of like Monday Morning Quarterbacking for medical problems.

[terrydowning]

You misdiagnosed the malady. It was not a simple splinter. It was a compound splinter, broken in two places, producing 3 pieces. Hope you never break a bone and the doctor's diagnosis is "simple fracture" when it is "compound".

Of course, it is so much easier to diagnose things after all the results are in. Sort of like Monday Morning Quarterbacking for medical problems.

Actually, the diagnosis would be Multiple Fracture. Compound Fracture is when the fractured bone tears or lacerates the skin creating an open wound as well as a fracture/break.

[fiatben]

I'm really surprised no one else has suggested this. In our current social/political/legal climate; you should sue whoever sold you the wood. After all, isn't it their fault they sold you a defective product that resulted in a personal injury??
(Of course, you guys on here are sane enough to realize this is in jest, right?)

[dlbristol]

Well now Ben, don't dismiss that idea so quickly! splinters are clearly the fault of the company who produces the wood, but then if you think about it so are most kick backs. They happen when the wood closes on the wood, hence the use of riving knives ect. So the wood is defective and it carried no warning about the possibility of kickback. I once cut a small piece of wood on my SS saw, and it was fired off the table and raised a welt right on my belly, no warning label to tell me not to do that! I really think we should either push for warning labels on wood or just try to get one of those "million dollar" wounds and collect enough cash to get that new Power Pro head stock!:D Can you imagine the amount of work we would have to do to get all those labels off? But, they would have chemicals in them and as we removed them we might ingest them , and if there were no warnings about removing the warning labels we could collect enough to get a few more goodies. I think I just violated my self imposed limit on sarcasim and political comments on line!

[db5]

You guys are kidding! Right? The wood was produced by God as well as all the other stuff you have mentioned. However, I agree with your assessment: Sue the one responsible - not the middle man. Go Sue God!

Service to appear in court may be a bit difficult.
But who knows, perhaps God will appear and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help me Myself.

[dlbristol]

Yes! The "cattle on a thousand hills " would be worth a try anyway. See Ben, ya just gotta think bigger and pay no attention to those folks who try to get you to take responsibility and pay attention.

[skou]

A kid who worked for me about 10 years ago was cutting firewood and got a redwood splinter in his finger (why he was cutting redwood for firewood I'm not sure...there's much better firewood around).

I'd argue this one. While redwood isn't good firewood, it makes GREAT kindling. Never seen such a hot burning wood. When I was a kid, we had a barbecue, that while not fireproof, was fire restant. We'd used it for a few years,and the paint was somewhat tarnished. Then we put in a redwood fence, and the scraps became kindling. After ONE use of the redwood kindling, to light a charcoal fire, all the paint was gone.

steve