Excessive force or pressure applied to the body, or part of the body, can result in a crush injury. These injuries are painful, and debilitating, and can cause the victim to incur significant medical bills, lost time from work, and other damages. When someone suffers a crush injury due to another party’s negligence, the victim has the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. It starts with understanding some of the common reasons these accidents happen. With Cooper Schall & Levy by your side, you can present a strong case for the damages you deserve.
Why Do Crush Injuries Happen?
When a person’s body, or part of it, gets caught between two objects and pressure is applied, a crush injury may result. These are sometimes called caught-in/between injuries. They occur in a variety of contexts such as automobile wrecks, pedestrian accidents, and workplace accidents. In nearly every case, they are the result of someone’s negligent or intentional conduct.
Even if the accident involves only an appendage (such as a finger) as opposed to the torso, it is imperative that the victim seek medical attention and consider filing a personal injury claim against the wrongful party. To file a lawsuit, the burden is on the victim to explain exactly how the crush injury happened. It therefore helps to understand some of the most common causes, including:
Irresponsible Driving
Because many crush injuries are the result of car and truck wrecks, responsibility typically points to some negligent act or omission on the part of the driver. This may include anything from speeding and reckless driving to driving under the influence of alcohol and distracted driving. A serious enough accident can pin the victim in the car and crush bones and vital organs.
Falling Objects
This risk is especially prevalent at construction sites. These sites should be secured and may even require rerouting nearby sidewalks to keep pedestrians safe. But in some cases, irresponsible construction workers may drop things that fall and crush a person. Falling objects can prove fatal if they fall from a significant height.
Defective Equipment and Machinery
Perhaps you have purchased heavy machinery for personal or commercial use. This equipment should come with ample instructions that tell the user how to safely operate it. There should also be safety guards and devices installed, for instance, to prevent someone’s hand from getting caught in the machine. Without either or both of these measures, the machinery may be defective and cause a crush injury.
Structural Collapse
A partial or total collapse of a building, due to negligent construction or design, can harm several people depending on the circumstances. A person’s entire body could be crushed or a limb (e.g. leg) could suffer damage. Either way, these are potentially life-threatening events that in most cases are avoidable.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slip and fall accidents, and those that involve tripping, are among the most common reasons victims file premises liability lawsuits. Property owners are required to keep their premises reasonably safe to avoid hazardous conditions that can cause these accidents. Otherwise, a victim can fall and crush body parts as a result.
Workplace Accidents
Crush injuries can happen on construction sites, at industrial plants, in factories, and in many other workplaces. Although the victim may have the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim against the employer, there are cases in which other parties may be held accountable in a separate personal injury lawsuit.
Advocating for Crush Injury Victims in Philadelphia
Were you hurt in a crush injury accident because of someone else’s negligent conduct? Would you like to know more about the potential damages that may be available to you? Reach out to Cooper Schall & Levy. We can schedule your consultation and explain the legal process for recovering compensation.
