Crush Injury

Crush injuries are some of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. The leading cause of these catastrophic injuries is high-impact accidents involving heavy machinery, industrial equipment, or vehicle crashes, often resulting from negligence. Victims require intensive medical care and lengthy rehabilitation, creating overwhelming financial burdens for families.

A Chicago crush injury lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and rehabilitation costs. With our support, you can focus on healing while we secure your financial future.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers brings extensive experience, dedication, and a deep understanding of what crush injury victims are going through. With a history of securing substantial settlements and verdicts, we understand what it takes to maximize compensation, and we’re relentless in pursuing the financial recovery you deserve.

• $11,000,000 – Punch press dominant hand amputation injury
• $10,500,000 . Electrical burns sustained on an aerial lift
• $7,900,000 – Leg amputation following motorcycle accident
• $7,000,000 – Tilling machine entaglement and amputation
• $5,250,000 – Circular saw catastrophic injuries of the hand
• $2,800,000 – Negligent security traumatic brain injury

Our Illinois crush injury lawyers know the challenges these cases present, and we’re prepared to tackle every one of them.

Understanding Crush Injuries

A crush injury happens when a body part is subjected to intense pressure or compression. These injuries vary widely in severity and impact, depending on the nature of the accident and the parts of the body affected. Some of the most common types include:

Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome occurs when pressure builds up within a muscle compartment. The pressure can cut off blood flow and lead to tissue damage and kidney failure. Immediate surgical intervention is often necessary to prevent further harm and restore circulation.

Crush Syndrome

Also known as traumatic rhabdomyolysis, crush syndrome occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases toxins into the bloodstream after a prolonged or serious crush injury. It’s especially common in cases where individuals are trapped under heavy objects or between two objects for an extended period.

Crush syndrome can cause serious infections, renal failure, and sepsis, all requiring immediate medical treatment.

Fractures and Bone Crushing

When bones are subjected to intense pressure, they may fracture, break, or even shatter. In cases of bone crushing, surgery may be required to realign or reconstruct the bone, and recovery often involves immobilization and rehabilitation.

Nerve and Soft Tissue Compression

The force from a crush injury can compress or damage nerves and soft tissues, including muscles and ligaments. This type of injury can cause immediate physical impairment, often requiring specialized treatment to relieve pressure and restore function.

Internal Organ Compression

In high-impact accidents, intense force can compress internal organs, especially when the torso is involved. These severe injuries can affect organs like the lungs or kidneys and require immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.

Common Causes of Crushing Injuries

The most common scenarios leading to crush injuries include:

• Workplace Accidents: In industries like manufacturing, construction, and warehousing, employees frequently operate or work near heavy machinery such as forklifts, compactors, and conveyor belts. Without proper safeguards and training, workers can become trapped or pinned, leading to devastating crush injuries.
• Vehicle Crashes: High-impact car accidents, especially those involving large vehicles like a truck or tractor-trailer, can result in serious crush injuries. When a smaller vehicle is crushed by a larger one or trapped between multiple cars, occupants may be subjected to intense pressure, leading to severe trauma. If you’ve suffered crush injuries or other serious harm in a motor vehicle accident, our skilled Chicago car accident lawyers can provide the guidance you need to pursue compensation for your losses.
• Construction Site Accidents: Construction sites are full of potential hazards, including large machinery, heavy building materials, and elevated structures. Workers are at risk of catastrophic injuries from falling debris, collapsing structures, and incidents with equipment like bulldozers or cranes.
• Falling Objects: In warehouses or any setting where materials are stored on high shelves, falling objects pose a significant risk. When these heavy items fall, they can strike or trap individuals below, causing crushing injuries to the head, shoulders, or limbs.

These failures are often due to inadequate safety measures or negligent supervision.

Crush Injury Complications and Consequences

• Nerve Damage: When nerves are compressed or damaged in a crush injury, victims may experience chronic pain, numbness, or even partial paralysis. This injury can affect mobility and may require extensive physical therapy or pain management.
• Secondary Infections: Open crush injuries are highly susceptible to infection. In some cases, bacteria can spread, leading to serious conditions such as sepsis. These complications may require additional surgeries or long-term antibiotic treatments.
• Amputation: In severe crush injuries, the damage to tissue and bones can be so extensive that amputation becomes the only viable option. This life-altering outcome can limit a person’s mobility and independence, requiring significant lifestyle adjustments.
• Psychological Trauma: Survivors of crush injuries often face emotional and psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Death: In the most severe cases, especially when vital organs are damaged or when conditions like crush syndrome or sepsis develop, a crush injury can be fatal. For families, the sudden loss of a loved one brings both emotional devastation and financial hardship, particularly if the victim is a primary earner.

Crush Accident Victims’ Options for Financial Recovery

Crush injuries can occur in a variety of situations, from workplace accidents to car crashes. The type of legal claim a victim can pursue depends on how the injury occurred.

Workers’ Compensation Claim

For crush injuries that happen on the job, workers’ compensation is often the first option. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that injured workers don’t need to prove that their employer was at fault to receive benefits. This system is designed to provide fast financial relief for workplace injuries, and it typically covers:

• Medical Bills: Immediate treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
• Lost Wages: A portion of income lost while the victim is unable to work.
• Temporary or Permanent Disability Benefits: If the injury results in a temporary or permanent disability, workers’ compensation can provide additional financial support.

Workers’ compensation covers only a fraction of losses, often requiring the pursuit of third-party claims.

Personal Injury Claim

Personal injury claims may be an option for crush accidents caused by a third party’s negligence. For example, if a driver’s reckless behavior led to a car accident resulting in a crush injury or if an equipment manufacturer’s defective product caused a workplace accident.

Unlike workers’ compensation, personal injury claims allow injured workers to seek a wider range of damages, including:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional toll of the injury.
• Full Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost during recovery, including any loss of future earning potential.
• Medical Expenses: Settlement for immediate and long-term medical costs, as well as future care needs related to the injury.

Personal injury claims require proving that another party’s negligence directly led to the injury, which often involves gathering evidence, witness statements, and expert testimony.

However, they can potentially provide more comprehensive coverage than workers’ compensation, covering both economic and non-economic damages.

Wrongful Death Claim

In the tragic event where a crush injury results in the victim’s death, the surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

These claims are intended to help families cope with both the emotional and financial impact of their loss and recover compensation for:

• Funeral Expenses: Covering the costs associated with burial and services.
• Loss of Financial Support: Replacing the income the victim would have provided to their family.
• Loss of Companionship: Acknowledging the emotional void left by the victim’s passing.

Wrongful death claims can be complex and emotionally challenging, and they require thorough legal guidance to navigate. Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys can help families understand their rights, build a strong case, and handle all legal details during this difficult time.

Steps to Take if You Have Suffered a Crush Injury

The steps you take following a crush injury are crucial in protecting your health and compensation rights. Here’s what to do:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Prompt medical treatment is essential after an accident to address hidden injuries and prevent debilitating complications.
• Document the Incident and Injuries: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, any visible injuries, and any equipment or objects involved in the accident. Keep copies of medical records and any documentation of your crush injury.
• Report the Accident: If you have sustained a work injury, report it to your employer right away. This report is necessary to initiate a workers’ compensation claim and create a formal record of the incident.
• Consult a Lawyer: A Chicago crush injury attorney from our law firm can help you understand your legal options to recover the compensation you deserve.

How a Crush Injury Attorney Can Help

Our Chicago crush injury lawyers will handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on healing.

During an initial case evaluation, our legal team will carefully assess both current and future costs to ensure that all your losses are accounted for. We will then collect and preserve evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

While insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts, our Chicago crush injury attorneys know the tactics insurers use and are skilled in negotiating for fair compensation.

If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our experienced litigators will advocate for you in court, fighting for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.

The Statute of Limitations for Crush Injury Claims

In Illinois, time limits for crush injury claims are strict. Personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the injury. For workers’ compensation, you must notify your employer within 45 days and file within three years. Act quickly to protect your right to compensation.

Expert Legal Assistance by an Illinois Crush Injury Attorney!

The Illinois crush injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers know how challenging the aftermath of a crush injury can be. That’s why we’re committed to helping you secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Our law firm works on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay any fees unless we win your case.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to book a free consultation with an Illinois crush 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.