Do It Yourself Dangers, Part 2-Stacy Case

Home improvement projects and summer go hand in hand.

But the economy is finding some homeowners in over their head.

That's because they're taking on jobs they're not qualified to complete.

Many of them are getting seriously hurt, trying to save a buck.

Do it yourself injuries are something one Brentwood man knows a lot about.

Every July, Bill Rochford is reminded of just how lucky he is.

Several years ago, this self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer climbed up his ladder to trim a tree.

Rochford says, "The limb then lifted up after the weight was released from the end above from where my ladder was positioned and so I had to make a decision immediately to try and jump away from the ladder or try and and fall down on top of the ladder."

Bill made a split second decision to jump away, then his leg got entangled in the ladder on the way down.

"I fell right here.. I think the ladder went forward where you were."

It was a bad fall.

Two broken legs, a fractured back and spine.

Six months in a wheelchair and months more of rehab.

Dr. Jeffrey Watson, orthopedic surgeon says, "There's a myriad of different things that people try to do while on ladders or on a steep slope of their house that results in devastating injuries from a fall."

Bill's is the kind of injury doctors are seeing more of in this economy.

They say in an effort to save money, weekend warriors are taking on projects unprepared or untrained and overlooking basic safety measures.

The American College of Emergency Physicians says it's led to a spike in home improvement injuries.

Orthopedic surgeons will tell you when it comes to do it yourself projects, there are two things that cause the majority of injuries: ladders and power saws.

Dr. Watson says, "I don't have a power saw even though I can think of a lot of things I could try and do with it, I just wont let myself go buy one. Just based on what we have seen in our practice."

Dean Damesworth cut his thumb off this spring during a home improvement project.

He admits he wasn't using the saw's guard and his wife says he was in a hurry to finish.

Naomi Damesworth says, "Of course my husband is the type that when he almost gets done with anything he's got to go 90 mile an hour he's real hyper."

Dr. Watson says rushing and working late are two common denominators with the saw injuries he sees.

"Interestingly they often come in at night, in the middle of the night. Maybe not doing things in the middle of the night. You're probably not as sharp as you would be otherwise."

With ladder falls, he says the common theme is working alone with no one holding the ladder.

"Retrospectively looking on this situation.. Number one- I wouldn't go up on a ladder ever again without someone being present."

Bill's learned a lot about what he can and can't do from his fall.

It's why he hired someone to install his new hardwood floor.

"I would never touch that because that is way above my skill set."

While the fall victim still enjoys light yard work, he hopes his story influences others to play it safe, and hire someone to do the job if you're not skilled.

That decision could save you money in the long run.

Rochford missed a lot of work and racked up $50,000 in medical bills.

He says it's not so much about the money, but the impact on his entire family who had to care for him.Do It Yourself Dangers, Part 2-Stacy Case