Crush injuries are devastating types of trauma. Unfortunately, they are far too common on Florence industrial sites, such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, and construction projects.
If you suffer a crush injury at work in Florence, South Carolina, you need an experienced lawyer to handle your claim and help you seek the total compensation you deserve. At the Jebaily Law Firm, we work hard to help clients through the aftermath of catastrophic injuries. Our compassionate and diligent service lets you spend time healing while we focus on getting you the money you need.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Florence work-related injury lawyer. We handle workplace injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. We get paid only if and when we secure compensation for you.
Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Crush Injury at Work
Crush injuries are severe traumas that can result in death. When these injuries occur while a person is performing their work duties, they are usually covered under South Carolina workers’ compensation laws. It might be possible to file a workers’ comp claim on your own, but you shouldn’t. You might need a lawyer for a crush injury at work in Florence, SC, when:
- You received a claim denial.
- You’re not sure you’re getting everything you should.
- Your boss is retaliating because you filed a claim.
- You can’t obtain needed medical treatment.
- You have a pre-existing condition that is being questioned.
- You’re uncertain whether you might have a valid third-party injury claim.
When you have our Florence crush injury lawyers on your side, we will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine all potential sources of compensation. For example, if a third party caused the accident, such as the maker of a defective machine that broke and injured you, filing a product liability claim against the manufacturer might be a good option.
You can also count on our workplace crush injury attorneys to fight for maximum workers’ compensation benefits. We are ready to challenge unfairly denied or undervalued claims.
What Is a Crush Injury?
Crush injuries occur when parts of the body become trapped and squeezed with great force between two objects. They can happen in a number of ways, such as being struck by and pinned under a falling object, becoming trapped between two vehicles, or having an arm or leg caught and compressed in an industrial mechanism, for example. The severity of injuries can depend on how long the compression went on and the amount of force involved.
Injured workers often experience bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries and bleeding, soft tissue damage, and more.
Common Causes of Workplace Crush Injuries in Florence, SC
Workplace crush injuries can occur in various industries and settings. Examples of causes of workplace crush injuries in Florence, SC, include:
- Heavy machinery – Workers in construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and other industries often operate heavy machinery and equipment that can crush body parts. Faulty equipment can increase the risk of an accident.
- Vehicle accidents – Individuals working around vehicles, including forklifts, trucks, or construction equipment, can risk crush injuries if pinned between vehicles and stationary objects.
- Material handling – Improperly stored materials or unsecured loads can shift or fall, trapping workers and causing crush injuries.
- Collapsing structures – In construction and demolition industries, buildings or structures may collapse unexpectedly, trapping workers beneath debris.
- Caught in or between machinery – Moving parts of machinery or equipment can trap a worker’s hands, arms, legs, or feet and crush them.
- Trench and excavation accidents – Excavation and trenching operations may bury or trap workers.
- Forklift incidents – Forklifts pose a crush hazard if they tip over, collide with objects, or crush workers between the vehicle and a surface.
- Conveyor belts and assembly lines – In manufacturing settings, workers working near conveyor belts and assembly lines risk getting their body parts caught in the machinery.
- Falling objects – Tools, equipment, or materials falling from heights can strike and crush workers below.
- Inadequate safety training – Inadequate training about equipment operation and safety procedures increases the risk of crush injuries.
- Lack of safety barriers – Occupational safety violations like inadequate barriers around machinery and hazardous areas can expose workers to crush hazards.
Signs, Symptoms, and Complications of Crush Injuries
The symptoms and possible complications from crush injuries depend on the severity of the injury and the body part affected. Common signs and symptoms of crush injuries include pain, swelling, bruising, open wounds, numbness or weakness, physical deformity, a limited range of motion, and problems moving.
Complications in a crush injury include:
- Compartment syndrome – Blood flow restriction that can cause tissue death in the fascia around muscle groups
- Infections – Potential for serious, potentially life-threatening systemic complications
- Fractures – Require medical intervention and sometimes surgery
- Nerve damage – Results in weakness, chronic pain, and loss of limb sensation
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) – This develops after an injury and results in persistent pain, swelling, and skin changes
- Hypovolemic shock – Heavy bleeding leading to low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and altered mental state
What Type of Compensation Is Available After a Crush Injury at Work in Florence, SC?
After suffering a crush injury at work, a worker is typically entitled to recover benefits through workers’ compensation and, in some cases, a third-party personal injury claim. Here’s an overview of each type of compensation:
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation pays benefits to employees with on-the-job injuries. These benefits may include:
- Medical expenses
- Partial replacement of lost wages
- Disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
Sometimes, crush injury at work claims may be due to a third party’s negligence or wrongful actions (someone other than the employer or a co-worker). In such situations, the injured worker may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against other parties for additional compensation.
Compensation for injured employees through a third-party claim may include:
- Medical bills for necessary medical procedures
- All lost income
- Decreased earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Funeral expenses and other wrongful death benefits
When you are looking for legal advice after suffering a crush injury, it’s important to contact an attorney who understands the laws in your jurisdiction and has a successful track record in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Our attorneys can provide the guidance and support needed to navigate the legal process and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve from all sources.
How Our Law Firm Can Assist You in Legal Matters Following a Crush Injury
Our skilled Florence workers’ compensation lawyers can help you after a workplace crush injury by:
- Investigating and analyzing the accident to determine whether you should file a workers’ comp claim, a third-party claim, or both
- Filing all claims and legal paperwork on time
- Handling all communications with the insurance company, lawyers, the courts, and others involved in the case
- Negotiating for the money you deserve
- Taking your case to hearings and to court, if no settlement is possible
Reach Out to Jebaily Law Firm for Free Consultations and Support
If you suffered a workplace crush injury in Florence, South Carolina, Jebaily Law Firm wants to help you take legal action and seek fair compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses. Our experienced legal team can pursue the money you need while you focus on your health.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation today with a work injury lawyer from our firm.
