Partner
The Syracuse personal injury lawyers at Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC, want anyone who has sustained a crush injury to understand their legal options. In this blog, we’ll look at the top reasons crush injuries occur and why recognizing these causes is crucial to seeking fair compensation. Keep reading to learn more, and don’t hesitate to contact us for help pursuing your claim.
What Is a Crush Injury?
Let’s start with the basics: a crush injury is one in which a body part is damaged due to prolonged or intense compression by a foreign object. The effects of crush injuries on muscles, bones, and even internal organs can be severe, leading to intense pain, swelling, and long-lasting health issues in some cases. Those long-term health issues may include chronic pain, reduced mobility, and nerve damage, making everyday tasks challenging and affecting overall quality of life. In more severe cases, it might lead to complications like infections or the need for surgeries, impacting not just a victim’s health but also their day-to-day life and ability to work.
Top Causes of Crush Injuries
Crush injuries can happen in the blink of an eye but leave a mark that lasts a lifetime. Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of crush injuries, helping you understand how these accidents occur and the importance of staying vigilant.
- Workplace Accidents: Many crush injuries occur at work, especially in industries like construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. Heavy machinery, falling objects, and equipment malfunctions can easily trap a limb or other body parts, leading to severe injuries.
- Vehicle Collisions: Accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles can all result in crush injuries. Whether you’re a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, the force of a collision can pin body parts, causing significant damage.
- Falling Debris: Whether at construction sites or during severe weather, falling objects like bricks, trees, or large hail can lead to severe crush injuries when they land on those below.
- Equipment and Machinery: Those who work in industrial settings are at risk of crush injuries if their limbs become caught in heavy machinery. Even everyday appliances can pose risks if not used carefully.
- Collapsed Structures: Earthquakes, explosions, and construction failures can cause buildings or other structures to collapse, trapping individuals beneath rubble and causing crush injuries.
- Recreational Accidents: Activities like rock climbing, hiking, or playing sports can sometimes lead to situations where a body part gets crushed by equipment, terrain, or during a fall.
These common causes of crushing accidents underscore the importance of safety measures and vigilance in everyday life and the workplace. Fortunately, those who’ve suffered such injuries may have the right to compensation for the consequences.
Potential Compensation for Crush Injuries
If you’ve suffered crush injuries because of something someone else did, that person could owe you compensation for the many ways the injuries have affected your life. This could include money for your:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced future earnings due to a disability
- Diminished quality of life due to a disability
- Damaged personal property, if applicable
Deadline to File a Crush Injury Lawsuit in New York
New York law says you must file any personal injury lawsuit within three years of sustaining a crush injury. If you attempt to file suit after this deadline has passed, the court can dismiss it as untimely, potentially costing you your right to compensation. Beyond this risk, it’s best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury, as essential evidence can disappear or deteriorate shortly afterward.
Contact Our Syracuse Crush Injury Attorneys Now
The Central New York crush injury lawyers at Carden Dotzler Hammond are ready to take your case and protect your rights. We’ll handle all the legal work while you focus on healing and adjusting to life after your injury. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.