Power hammers are mechanised forging devices that constitute a pivotal part of steel manufacturing. Power hammer-associated injuries are a rare occurrence. We report a noteworthy case of a 52-year-old man who sustained a high-energy penetrating injury while working with a power (counterblow) hammer. The man used a sizable disc-shaped metallic object to dislodge the forging wedged in the machine by applying the force of the striking ram on it. On impact, the object ejected and struck the man in the right lateral portion of the chest. The autopsy disclosed extensive damage to the thoracic and abdominal organs. The cause of death was opined to be exsanguination due to penetrating trauma of the heart and transection of the descending aorta. The investigation confirmed a breach of safety regulations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first power (counterblow) hammer-related fatality in medico-legal literature.

Clinic of Pneumology and Phthisiology Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Comenius University University Hospital Martin Slovak Republic

Department of Forensic Medicine Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové Charles University Hradec Králové Czechia

Department of Forensic Medicine University Hospital Hradec Králové Czechia

Institute of Forensic Medicine and Medical Expertises Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Comenius University University Hospital Martin Slovak Republic

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