Chicago Workers' Compensation - Crush Injuries

Crush injuries are one of the top killers in American workplaces. In 2011, as many as 350 fatalities resulted from work-related crush injuries. Most of these injuries are caused by cave-ins, equipment, structures, heavy objects, excavation projects, and transportation accidents. The injuries are extremely serious in nature, and it is the duty of all employers to provide adequate safety equipment and put in place safety procedures to prevent such injuries among workers.

Symptoms of Crush Injuries

Crush injuries are caused when an extreme force is exerted on the body that pins the torso or an appendage between two objects, and the weight causes both external and internal damage to the body. The force and the amount of time which the body part is crushed determines the severity of the injury. Depending on the severity of the crush injury, a worker may experience a variety of symptoms including:

• Lacerations: The pressure exerted by the object can cause a cut to the skin and tissue and lead to bleeding.
• Fractures: Due to the extreme force, the bones may get broken. It is not uncommon for victims of crush injuries to suffer multiple fractures.
• Muscle and tissue damage: Crush injuries can cut off blood supply to certain areas of the body, causing muscle and tissue damage to the affected areas. This can lead to serious complications such as infection, compartment syndrome, and even paralysis.
• Organ damage: If the torso gets crushed, the internal organs can get damaged.

Compartment Syndrome

When the blood supply to a part of the body is stopped due to a crush injury, muscle and tissue death can occur, and if the blood supply is not restored quickly it can lead to permanent muscle damage and may even require limb amputation. Signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome are:

• weakness
• swelling
• numbness
• shiny and pale skin
• pain

Crush Syndrome

Crush injury can cause the body to go into extreme shock and renal failure leading to a condition called crush syndrome. When a certain body part is crushed for a long time, it can cause the muscle and tissue to die and muscle deterioration can release byproducts such as phosphorus and myoglobin that can enter the bloodstream and cause shock and renal failure.

Treatment for Work-Related Crush Injuries

Serious crush injuries can cause long-term disability and medical complications. If a worker suffers compartment syndrome which is not treated quickly, it can cause permanent nerve and muscle damage. In extreme cases, amputation may be required to save the worker’s life. Crush syndrome can cause several health problems such as renal failure, nerve damage, muscle damage, and cardiovascular problems. Patients of compartment and crush syndrome often require surgical treatment.

Workers who suffer crush injuries at the workplace are entitled to workers' compensation benefits. If you are finding it hard to get the benefits you deserve, contact a Willens work injury lawyer chicago from Willens Law Offices. Call us at (312) 957-4166.