Firefighters Extricated Worker Injured in Industrial Accident at McNairn Packaging on Elise Street in Westfield
WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS (March 16, 2026) – A worker was injured in a Westfield industrial accident at McNairn Packaging on Elise Street.
Hampden County officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday. A worker’s leg became trapped in some type of rolling machine.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to McNairn Packaging to help the victim. It took first responders roughly an hour to disassemble components of the machine so the victim could be extricated.
He was later transported to the hospital to receive treatment. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Westfield Industrial Accidents
Employers in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to protect workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This is particularly important at worksites where heavy machinery is being used. According to OSHA Safety Guideline 1910.212(a)(1), “One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.” Several other steps should be taken to protect against industrial accidents.
- Training: Workers should be trained to recognize likely hazards that they will encounter. They should also be trained in proper lockout/tagout procedures for machinery.
- Obstacles: Worksites should be clear of obstacles and potential tripping hazards.
- Maintenance: Employers should periodically inspect and maintain all of their equipment.
- Compliance: Employers should comply with all OSHA safety guidelines.
When a worker is injured in Massachusetts, they will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help injured workers. There’s no need for an injured worker to demonstrate that one party was negligent.
In addition to workers’ compensation, an injured worker may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident. For example, a general contractor may have failed to maintain a worksite in a safe condition. It is also possible that a piece of machinery was defective, thereby giving rise to a product liability claim.
Steps to Take After Westfield Industrial Accidents
Workers injured on the job in Massachusetts should take certain steps to protect their legal rights.
- Report: Workers should let their employers know that they were injured on the job as early as possible. This can help create an official record of what took place.
- Treatment: Victims should seek medical treatment as early as possible. Even seemingly minor injuries can turn out to be much more consequential than initially suspected.
- OSHA Review: Any report of the accident created by OSHA should be collected and reviewed. It can help reveal what may have gone wrong.
- Legal Review: Injured workers should consider their legal options with the team experienced in personal injury law.
The vast majority of workplace accidents are totally preventable. They tend to be the result of clear safety lapses. This could include situations where machines lack adequate guarding. It is important that workers understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. A Boston personal injury attorney can examine the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know how much compensation you may be entitled to.
Investigating Westfield Industrial Accidents
Work accidents remain incredibly common across Massachusetts and the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “There were 5,070 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2024, down 4.0 percent from 5,283 in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The fatal work injury rate was 3.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2024, a decrease from a rate of 3.5 in 2023.”
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to the worker injured at Mcnairn Packaging. It’s our sincere hope that he will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information on what happened should reach out to OSHA. Workers should never have to choose between earning a living and fearing for their lives when they show up to perform their job duties.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Westfield industrial accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.