A crush injury can occur when excessive pressure or force is applied to any part of the body.
Crush injuries occur when a part or whole of the body gets squeezed between two objects. In workplace settings, these injuries are also known as “caught in between” injuries. Crush injuries are among the most serious types of injuries, and can cause significant and even permanent damage. In this post, our Chicago personal injury lawyer will discuss the common causes of crush injuries and the damage caused by them.
Common causes of crush injuries
Car crashes are among the most common causes of crush injuries. Whenever a crash causes a part of the body to be smashed or pressed under a heavy object or between two objects with a lot of pressure or force, it can cause serious damage to the body. Those who suffer crush injuries require immediate medical treatment. All types of traffic accidents including car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents can cause crush injuries.
Workplace accidents are a leading cause of crush injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in one recent year, as many 73,740 work-related crush injuries requiring days off from work were reported. A large percentage of these injuries occur in construction industry. Some of the common causes of work related crush injuries include:
- Being struck by falling load
- Getting caught in the machinery
- A vehicle running over a worker’s foot
- Getting crushed between a tractor-trailer and the loading dock
- A farm worker getting pinned between a large fence and an animal
- A structure collapsing on workers
- Heavy objects falling during loading or unloading
Consequences of crush injuries
Symptoms of a crush injury can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury. While minor crush injuries such as a finger crushed in a car door can cause pain, bruising or lacerations, serious injuries can cause extreme pain, and can be disabling and even life threatening.
According to an article published in the CNN, crush injuries can be deceptively dangerous. Crush injuries to the arms or legs may not appear to be severe or life threatening initially, but they can cause serious complications such as kidney failure and death days after injury.
Damage resulting from crush injuries
Generally, crush injuries can cause the following type of damage:
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Fractures
- Compartment syndrome, which refers to painful swelling within an area that causes serious damage to the soft tissue
- Open wounds
- Secondary infections
- Nerve damage
Seeking legal help for crush injuries
If you have suffered a crush injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a personal injury claim. It is important to note that crush injuries, even if seemingly minor, can have serious long term consequences, and may require extensive treatment. So, it is best to seek legal help from a knowledgeable and experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer, who can help you get the compensation you deserve. For a free and private consultation, give us a call today at (312) 957-4166.
