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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Decatur man gets ‘bionic hand’ after accident

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photo After losing his hand in an industrial accident, Tim Hall uses a “bionic” hand. Hall does an exercise as a computer monitors the movement via bluetooth technology.
photo After losing his hand in an industrial accident, Tim Hall uses a “bionic” hand.

DECATUR, Ala. – Tim Hall always meets a stranger with a handshake.

Whatever reluctance his greeter might feel is quickly assuaged when the Meow Mix lab technician extends his prosthetic right hand and the mechanical fingers close into a firm but friendly grip.

Co-workers are amazed by the device that has allowed Hall to return to work one year after he lost his hand, just above the wrist, in an industrial accident Oct. 25, 2011, at the Decatur plant.

“I think it’s cool. No one else at work has one,” Hall said with a smile, clad in faded blue jeans and a black Aerosmith concert T-shirt. “I’m looking forward to getting some of the adapters, especially the one that will allow me to play the guitar again. I’ll feel like Inspector Gadget then.”

Hall, 48, is one of a few thousand amputees worldwide who has been fitted with a Touch Bionics i-Limb, one of the most technologically advanced powered prostheses available.