How Do Crush Injuries Happen?
In the workplace, in a car crash, or in other accidents, serious injuries can occur. One that many people don’t talk about is a crush injury.
A crush injury is any injury that occurs to any part of the body when force or pressure is put on it. A crush injury is not a simple injury that goes away quickly. These injuries tend to have lasting effects on the body. Treatment can be complex, and in severe cases, people can die.
Typically, the body is squeezed between two heavy objects. This can lead to damage such as bruising, bleeding, lacerations, broken bones, nerve injury, and infection.
The hands and fingers are affected most often, although any body part can be crushed.
In any case, there is often trauma to the soft tissues, muscles, and nerves. Crush injuries can lead to compartment syndrome, which is a serious medical condition that occurs when excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed muscle space in the body, typically in the arms or legs. This pressure can reduce blood flow, depriving muscles and nerves of oxygen and nutrients. Without treatment, compartment syndrome can lead to permanent muscle damage, nerve damage, or even limb loss.
Crush injuries can happen in virtually any industry, but they are common on construction sites, where workers operate heavy machinery with moving parts or pneumatic equipment, putting their hands at risk of crush and pinch injuries. In oil and gas operations, exploration, construction, drilling, production, transportation, and refining work can all cause hands to be exposed to hazards that cause crush and pinch injuries.
Common Causes
Crush injuries often occur due to the following:
- Heavy equipment. Heavy equipment is the leading cause of injury and death due to crush injuries. Workers may be run over by forklifts after falling from an elevated platform. These accidents usually happen due to inadequate safety training and a lack of proper safety equipment. A crowded work environment may also be to blame.
- Improper machine usage. Construction sites and warehouses tend to use a lot of equipment and machinery. Worker hands can easily become crushed by machines or power tools without proper protection.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Slips, trips, and falls in the workplace can also lead to crush injuries. Slippery or uneven floors are the most common causes, although dirt, debris, grease, or cables in walking areas can also be contributing factors. Slips, trips, and falls are dangerous. They constitute the majority of general industry accidents and cause 15% of all accidental deaths.
- Falling materials. In construction sites, there are often extreme heights involved. Because of this, there is always a great risk of items falling off scaffolding or other high areas. The use of proper safety equipment can prevent crush injuries.
Contact Us Today
Crush injuries can affect various body parts. The result can be pain, infection, nerve damage, amputation, or death.
An Omaha workers’ compensation attorney from Andres Law Offices, PC LLO, can help you obtain workers’ compensation and other benefits. Fill out the online form or call (402) 491-4003 to schedule a consultation.