Occupational deaths due to penetrating chest injuries from sledgehammer fragments: two case reports and review of the literature.
Occupational deaths due to projectiles from hand tools are rare. We report 2 unusual cases of individuals killed by metallic projectiles produced by the fragmentation of the head of a sledgehammer. At initial examination, these wounds appear similar to atypical gunshot or stab wounds. Proper evaluation requires radiographic examination, scene correlation, and, when possible, comparison of metallic fragments retrieved at autopsy and tools from the scene.
Smith
Michael E
ME
Office of the Medical Investigator, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. msmith012670@hotmail.com
Zumwalt
Ross
R
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*
D008670:Metals