Chicago Crush Injury Lawyer

Fighting for Maximum Compensation After Crush Injuries in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Chicago crush injury lawyer team has decades of experience helping injured victims fight for the compensation they deserve. When someone else’s negligence causes your crush injury, you can hold them accountable with a personal injury claim. 

In certain environments in Chicago, workers, pedestrians, customers, and other individuals face the risk of suffering a crush injury. The human body is extremely vulnerable to machinery, heavy objects, and dangerous collisions, and these accidents can result in life-altering crush injuries. 

The affected body part may lose all blood flow and function in severe cases, leading to permanent disability. Whether you suffer this type of injury from falling objects or a car accident, a Chicago crush injury attorney can make all the difference when pursuing compensation for legal damages.

Crush Injury Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

Our Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys have vast experience with these types of severe cases. Here are some settlements our legal team has won for past clients:

$11 million – Omar, a temporary worker in Little Village, was fatally crushed when a forklift backed into him inside a warehouse’s restricted area. His family brought a wrongful death claim that was resolved in mediation, despite disputes that Omar was in a prohibited zone. The settlement reflected the company’s safety failures, the preventable nature of the accident, and the devastating financial and emotional loss to his wife and young children.

$4.4 million – Steven, a forklift operator at a Joliet distribution center, was moving pallets when his lift tipped and crushed his legs and pelvis beneath the machine. He endured several reconstructive surgeries and months in rehabilitation, but the damage left him permanently disabled. The settlement reflected the catastrophic nature of his injuries and the fact that he would never return to his line of work.

$3.6 million – Carlos, a laborer from Pilsen, was cleaning debris at an excavation site when part of an unstable wall collapsed, burying him beneath dirt and machinery. He survived but sustained devastating crush injuries, including multiple fractures and internal trauma. The settlement accounted for his permanent limitations, the negligent site supervision, and the extensive medical treatment he will need for the rest of his life.

$840,000 – David, a rail worker at a yard near Englewood, had his foot trapped beneath a piece of moving equipment during a routine shift. The crush injury caused multiple fractures that required several surgeries, leaving him with chronic pain and difficulty walking. The settlement reflected not only his past medical bills but also the long-term impact on his ability to continue physically demanding railroad work.

$750,000 – Marcus, a truck driver making a delivery to an electronics warehouse near O’Hare, was pinned when a forklift operator unloading pallets lost control. He suffered a crush injury to his leg that developed into compartment syndrome, requiring two invasive surgeries. His recovery combined both a third-party injury claim and workers’ compensation, and the settlement reflected the impact on his mobility and work capacity.

$200,000 – Kevin, a motorcyclist riding through Logan Square, was struck by a pickup truck that ran a stop sign at an intersection. The impact threw him from his bike and crushed his leg and knee against the pavement. An MRI revealed a torn meniscus that required surgical repair, and the settlement reflected the severity of the crash and Kevin’s lasting pain.

What Are Common Causes of Crush Injuries?

Some of the most serious crush injuries include amputations, nerve damage, crush syndrome, loss of blood flow, and organ damage. Let’s explore some of the most common causes of crush injury accidents in Chicago. 

Car Accidents

Due to the high forces involved in a car accident, this type of scenario is a leading cause of crush injury claims. When vehicle crashes occur at high speeds or with stationary objects, the passengers and drivers involved may be caught between extremely heavy components, causing significant crush injuries. 

In 2023, there were 101,023 motor vehicle accidents, leading to over 17,000 injuries. Many of the most severe injuries involved crushed limbs or other body parts. 

Construction Site Accidents

One of the most dangerous industries in Illinois is construction. Many workplace accidents involve heavy machinery and construction equipment, which can easily cause crush injuries if they malfunction or are misused. 

In 2023, construction accidents accounted for over 23% of all fatal work accidents in the United States. Workplace accidents caused many crush injuries on construction sites during that year. 

Other Common Causes of Crush Injury Accidents

If you suffered crush injuries due to someone else’s negligence, determining the cause will play a crucial role in the outcome of your claim. 

Other common causes of crush injury accidents include:

Falling debris in warehouses

Car crashes in construction zones

Defective product accidents

Misuse of forklifts in loading docks

Lax safety standards in workplace accidents

What Damages Can Crush Injury Victims Recover in Illinois?

With a strong Chicago crush injury attorney on your side, you could recover compensation for various legal damages caused by your accident.

Economic Damages

• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Medical expenses (surgery, emergency care, rehabilitation, medication, therapy)
• Future medical expenses

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• PTSD
• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages 

Surviving family members can recover:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of consortium

What Is the Average Crush Injury Payout in Chicago?

The average settlement for a crush injury case in Chicago is $8.36 million, with a range from $14,000 to $95.48 million. 

Multiple factors will determine the settlement amount for your case, including injury severity, insurance policy limits, available evidence, and proof of liability. Personal injury claims that lead to crush injury settlements are often worth more because of the long-term impact. 

Example Crush Injury Cases in Cook County

In 2014, a truck driver named Robert was helping unload massive steel tubes from the back of his commercial truck. One of the tubes rolled off the edge of the truck bed and landed on him, pinning him to the ground. Robert suffered crush injuries that eventually led to amputations above both of his knees. He and his wife sued the companies involved in loading and unloading the truck for improper procedures and failing to secure heavy loads. A total settlement of $86.43 million was negotiated between the various defendants and Robert. 

In 2019, Diane was walking next to a crosswalk in a Chicago intersection. A city bus failed to notice her near the crosswalk and made a left turn, hitting her in the process. She hit her head on the pavement and was dragged along the road surface for 27 feet before the bus came to a stop. Diane suffered crush injuries to her right leg, which led to ongoing pain management, surgeries, and therapy. She sued the driver and the CTA, eventually settling for $20 million. 

In 2012, a tow truck driver named Quentin could not get the vehicle’s clutch to engage at a stoplight. He got out to look at the engine, but a gust of wind caused the hood to slam down on the back of his head, causing facial crush injuries and a lost eye. Quentin sued the manufacturer of the truck for negligent design, and the investigation revealed that the manufacturer had prior notice of this issue with other trucks. Quentin received a total of $19.5 million for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and punitive damages. 

Who Is Liable for a Crush Injury in a Chicago Accident?

Multiple responsible parties can be held accountable for a crush injury in a personal injury case. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Motor vehicle drivers
• Truck drivers
• Equipment or product manufacturers
• Property owners
• Project managers on construction sites
• Coworkers
• Warehouse managers
• Employers
• Government entities

What Laws Govern Crush Injury Claims in Illinois?

Suppose you are pursuing a personal injury claim. In that case, you will have two years from the date of the incident or the discovery of your catastrophic injuries to seek compensation for legal damages (735 ILCS 5/13-202). 

For injured workers in workplace accidents, you will have three years from the date of the injury or two years from the last benefit payment, whichever is later, to file for workers’ compensation through your employer (820 ILCS 305/). 

Under this law, you must report your injury to the employer within 45 days to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. 

Common Defenses in Crush Syndrome and Injury Cases

The defendant, their insurance company, and their lawyer will use any tactics they can to undermine your claim and avoid accepting responsibility. Their goal is to minimize the payout as much as possible. 

Here are some defense tactics you may come up against during third-party claims:

Assumption of risk – The defendant may claim that you knew you were engaging in a risky activity, such as driving a car or using heavy machinery. 

Contributory negligence – The defendant will argue that you were primarily at fault for the accident, so the blame for the crush injury falls on you.

No duty of care – In crush injury claims, the plaintiff must establish negligence by proving that the defendant had a duty of care to prevent injuries. A defendant may choose to argue that they did not owe you a duty of care for the incident that caused your crush injury. 

Preexisting conditions – The insurance company or lawyer may attempt to minimize the impact of the crush injury, such as stating that the health effects were from a preexisting condition. 

Our top Illinois crush injury lawyers know how to counter these defenses. We can argue that crush injuries do not fall under the category of assumed risk because of their severity. Witness statements can help prove that the defendant is more at fault for the accident. 

Your Chicago crush injury lawyer will gather additional evidence to prove the duty of care and the impact of the crush injury, such as medical records, test results, surveillance footage, complaint reports, accident reports, and expert testimony. 

How to Strengthen Your Claim for Financial Recovery

Serious crush injuries can have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you want to prioritize your financial recovery with a lawsuit, the claims process begins the moment the injury occurred. 

Here are the steps you should follow to build a strong crush injury case:

Report the accident to the relevant entities – For workplace accidents, this would mean reporting the crush injury to your employer. For other injured victims, you should contact the property owner, authorities, or product manufacturer to report the incident. 

Seek immediate medical attention and document your injuries – See a doctor right away to be diagnosed and initiate a medical treatment plan. Retain all medical records of medication, therapy, surgery costs, and other forms of medical treatment.

Gather evidence of the accident scene – Take photos of the scene, obtain surveillance footage, speak to witnesses, and preserve all physical evidence (clothes, shoes, defective equipment).

Do not give statements or speak to insurers before consulting Illinois crush injury attorneys – Avoid speaking about fault with the insurance company. Also, do not post about the incident on social media. 

Contact a Chicago crush injury attorney  – Our personal injury lawyers will provide a free consultation to help you understand the claims process and decide how to proceed with a Chicago crush injury claim.

FAQs

What is crush syndrome?

Crush syndrome occurs when prolonged pressure on a body part—often the limbs—leads to muscle breakdown and the release of toxins into the bloodstream. This can impair blood flow and cause permanent disability or even death. In our work as Chicago crush injury attorneys, we represent clients who suffer catastrophic injuries like these in workplace accidents involving falling debris or machinery. Prompt pain management and legal action are essential for protecting your rights and seeking fair compensation.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence law, you can still seek compensation for a crush injury as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Our Chicago crush injury attorneys have a deep understanding of how to challenge insurance company tactics that aim to reduce payouts. Whether your injury was caused by equipment malfunction, crush syndrome, or negligent safety protocols, our law firm will help protect your rights and pursue the maximum compensation available.

How much does a Chicago crush injury attorney cost?

Our Chicago crush injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Whether you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries, crush syndrome, or lost income from workplace accidents, we’re committed to helping injured workers across Illinois secure the justice they deserve. Free consultations are available to review your case and explain your legal options.

Consult a Chicago Crush Injury Attorney Near You

Crush injury victims may face a long, uphill battle to recover the compensation they deserve for lost income, medical treatment costs, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will represent clients throughout the state. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we win. Contact us today for legal assistance from a Chicago personal injury lawyer.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.