At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our punch press injury lawyer team works to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages following accidents involving press malfunctions, defective parts, or missing machine guards. Contact us for a free consultation today!
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience representing Chicago workers in complex personal injury cases, including those involving punch press malfunctions and workplace injuries.
Our firm has been recognized by Super Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. We hold a 10/10 AVVO rating and an A+ Better Business Bureau score, reflecting our track record of results and client trust.
We have secured more than $450 million in verdicts and settlements for injured workers and their families. Our attorneys know how to investigate punch press malfunctions, defective parts, and failures in safety standards to hold every liable party accountable.
Punch press injuries often happen because of preventable safety failures in the workplace.
Some punch presses are inherently dangerous because of flawed engineering, such as a lack of proper machine guards or exposed foot pedals that make accidental activation likely.
Even when the design is safe, a punch press may leave the factory with defective parts or improper assembly, such as unreliable electronic switches.
Workers who aren’t trained in safety protocols are more likely to experience a workplace accident while operating complex equipment.
The injuries suffered in these accidents are often devastating and permanent. Our Chicago clients have faced:
When we file personal injury lawsuits, workers’ compensation claims, or product liability cases, we fight to recover full and fair compensation for our clients. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
The average settlement for workplace accidents involving punch presses is $510,188, with a median of $186,778. The value range can vary significantly, from around $67,000 to more than $1.6 million.
The actual recovery in a personal injury lawsuit depends on several factors, including:
Punch press accidents are some of the most complex personal injury cases we handle in Chicago. Proving liability often requires showing that a defective punch press, design defect, or defective parts caused the accident, while also navigating workers compensation laws.
Manufacturers, employers, and insurers frequently try to deny responsibility or argue that the worker was at fault due to loose clothing, foot pedals, or safety protocol violations. Our attorneys know how to overcome these defenses. We gather evidence of punch press malfunctions, consult engineering experts, and hold every negligent party accountable.
We regularly litigate these cases in Cook County Circuit Court and other Illinois courts, where we have secured millions for clients injured in press accidents.
Between January 2020 and August 2025, there were at least 17 reported punch press accidents in the OSHA Chicago Region, most involving amputations of fingers, hands, or thumbs. Tragically, one case in July 2023 resulted in a worker’s death from crushing injuries when caught in the machine.
Most punch press accidents in Chicago occur in manufacturing plants, metal fabrication shops, and factories where workers operate heavy machinery every day. Employers in these industries often rely on older equipment that is prone to punch press malfunctions or lacks proper machine guards.
High-risk worksites include:
Chicago workers injured in punch press accidents may have different legal claims depending on where and how the accident happened.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/) provides benefits such as medical bills, lost wages, and disability coverage for workplace injuries.
Illinois Product Liability Law (735 ILCS 5/2-21) allows injured workers to bring a personal injury lawsuit against manufacturers or distributors if the accident was caused by punch press malfunctions, manufacturing defect, defective electronic switches, etc.
In Blue v. Environmental Engineering, Inc., 215 Ill. 2d 78 (2005), the Illinois Supreme Court confirmed that injured plaintiffs aren’t left without recourse if a manufacturer can’t be sued directly. Under Illinois’ product liability law, a distributor or seller dismissed early in the case can be brought back in if the manufacturer is insolvent, immune, or otherwise beyond the court’s reach.
Under the Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) if a construction worker in injured on another company’s premises (for example, at a host facility or contracted site), the property owner or operator may be held responsible for unsafe conditions or inadequate safety protocols.
OSHA regulations (such as 29 CFR 1910.212 & 1910.217) require employers to use proper machine guards, safety devices, and controls (such as two-hand trips and foot pedals with anti-repeat features). Employers who fail to follow these standards may face citations, and violations can strengthen a worker’s personal injury claims in court.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim against a manufacturer or other liable party. Families filing after a fatal workplace accident usually have two years from the date of death (740 ILCS 180/2). Workers need to file claims with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission within three years of the accident or two years from the last receipt of benefits, whichever is later.
Because these deadlines vary depending on the type of case, it’s critical to contact a punch press accident lawyer as soon as possible. Acting quickly allows us to preserve evidence, investigate press malfunctions, and file the appropriate claims before time runs out.
Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue claims against:
Our role is to identify every liable party to maximize compensation for our clients.
The most common defenses include:
As experienced personal injury lawyers in Chicago, we counter these defenses with expert testimony, OSHA records, and evidence of prior press malfunctions to prove negligence and secure fair compensation.
To build a strong claim, we recommend that injured workers:
By contacting our punch press injury lawyers early, we can begin investigating press malfunctions, preserving OSHA evidence, and preparing a personal injury or workers compensation’ claim.
Our attorneys guide clients through every stage of their case. When you work with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we:
We handle every punch press accident case on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay us anything upfront, and you owe us nothing if we don’t secure compensation.
An injured worker can file a workers compensation’ claim against their employer. If the accident was caused by a punch press malfunction, the worker may also bring a personal injury case against the manufacturer or distributor. Families of workers killed in a workplace accident may pursue a wrongful death claim.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a punch press accident, our team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to fight for you. We’ve recovered millions for Chicago workers hurt by defective punch presses, unsafe equipment, and negligent employers. Let us help you pursue medical bills, lost earnings, and the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757
We also serve clients from Chicago, Elgin, Schaumburg, Rockford and throughout Illinois.
Specific Cases We Handle
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.