What you should know about crush injuries

Crush injuries are basically what the name suggests. They’re injuries that occur when a person’s body or body part is stuck in between two objects. This could be anything from a rogue electric cart or forklift running into someone and pinning them against a wall to a heavy object falling on someone and trapping them underneath it to someone’s arm getting caught in a piece of equipment.

Crush injuries are most common in workplaces like warehouses, construction sites and any place that uses heavy machinery and/or motorized vehicles. However, they can potentially happen anywhere. Even having a door close on your finger is a crush injury – although certainly not as serious as most of them are. How serious an injury is depends on the magnitude, area and duration of the force. 

Serious consequences of a crush injury

A crush injury can cause serious fractures where one or more bones can be shattered into multiple small pieces. This is harder to repair than a “clean” break.

A crush injury can also cause nerve damage. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to paralysis.

When the crushing is extended (for example, if it takes some time to extract the injured worker), they can develop what is called “compartment syndrome.” This can involve muscle as well as nerve damage because of fluid build-up in the compressed areas. It’s more likely to occur if a person doesn’t get immediate treatment.

Getting the necessary workers’ comp benefits

Typically, a person who has been crushed gets a medical evaluation and treatment right away. That’s important even if they think they’ve only suffered superficial bruising or cuts. An immediate medical evaluation can help when a workers’ compensation claim needs to be filed. 

A serious crush injury can leave someone unable to work for a considerable period or unable to ever return to their previous job. Further, it can require long-term medical care, physical and occupational therapy. With long-term consequences like this, it’s smart to have legal guidance to help ensure that you get workers’ comp benefits for as long as you need them.