New Jersey Crushing Injuries from Construction Accidents Lawyers

Construction sites are filled with heavy machinery, lumber, steel beams, and powerful tools. Any one of these items can cause catastrophic crushing injuries to on-site workers or even passersby. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that ten percent of workers are killed when struck by objects on the worksite. Many of these types of accidents cause crushing injuries.

When someone is injured in a crushing accident, the consequences can be life-altering. Often, crushing injuries result in devastating tissue damage, amputation, and sometimes death. Victims may never be able to return to the construction industry and may have difficulties keeping up with medical expenses because of their lost income.

The New Jersey construction accident attorneys of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers aggressively pursue justice and compensation for construction workers injured. Our team includes experienced negotiators and litigators who can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.

If you were involved in a construction accident that resulted in a crushing injury, contact the team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at (973) 364-8300, and let’s talk about how we can help you get the money you deserve.

What Is a Crushing Accident?

A crushing accident happens when an individual is trapped or pinned between two objects. Crushing can occur when an object comes into contact with a person and pins them to the ground or between the moving object and another object. Crushing accidents can also happen when a body part is stuck between moving parts in a machine or piece of heavy equipment.

How Crushing Injuries Happen at Construction Sites

There are many ways that construction site machinery, objects, and vehicles can cause crushing accidents. Heavy machinery and power tools are common culprits of crushing injuries. Loose clothing and body parts like fingers, hands, arms, and legs can all become trapped between the components of heavy machinery or tools.

Falling objects can also cause crushing injuries. Lumber, steel beams, and other construction materials can tumble from cranes and the higher levels of a job site. These materials can crush construction workers or passersby, pinning them to the ground and causing catastrophic injuries.

Another source of crushing accidents is construction vehicles like cars, trucks, and forklifts. Negligent driving or improperly trained staff can accidentally crush workers between two vehicles. Drivers can also smash a worker between a vehicle and an immovable object like a wall.

Some of the most common causes of crushing accidents include:

• Heavy machinery
• Falling objects
• Car and truck accidents
• Forklift accidents
• Trench collapse
• Cave-ins

Common Injuries from Crushing Accidents

Crushing accidents can cause uniquely devastating injuries to construction workers, including:

• Broken bones
• Amputation
• Soft tissue damage
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Lacerations
• Death

In addition to the injuries created upon impact, significant medical complications can be associated with crushing accidents. One of these complications is known as compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a dangerous and painful condition that occurs when the pressure in muscle tissue builds to extreme levels.

A crushing injury can put enormous pressure on the body, decreasing the blood flow to the trapped area of the body. Without adequate blood flow, the affected body area can begin to die. In serious cases, amputation may be necessary.

Bywaters’ syndrome can also result from a crushing injury. This medical condition occurs when a body part is compressed by crushing. The condition results in shock and can lead to kidney failure.

Crushing accidents are extremely serious. Call for medical assistance immediately if there is a crushing accident at a construction site, and let medical personnel advise you on the best course of action. In some instances, it is best to allow emergency crews to handle the extraction of the victim. If an individual has been trapped for an extended period, suddenly freeing them can cause tremendous injury, even death. Blood clots that form at the sight of the crushing injury can be released, resulting in stroke, pulmonary embolisms, or cardiac arrest. Always let medical professionals talk you through handling a major crushing event.

Compensation for Crushing Injuries

Most construction workers are familiar with the concept of workers’ compensation. In New Jersey, the law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If a victim is hurt on the job, no matter who is at fault, the person can typically file a workers’ compensation claim. The benefits will generally cover an individual’s medical expenses and a portion of their wages for the time period they’re off work.

Those injured in construction accidents may also be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against a negligent third-party entity. Construction companies often utilize outside contractors to help them complete their projects. If these outside entities cause an accident through negligence, they can be held financially responsible. Examples of third parties that could be liable for an accident include:

• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Property owners
• Equipment manufacturers
• Parts manufacturers

When a third party causes a significant crushing accident, they could potentially be responsible for paying the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering

If you are injured in a crushing accident, discuss your legal options with an experienced construction accident attorney. An attorney will be able to review your situation and advise you on the best course of action for recovering valuable compensation.

Get in Touch with an Experienced New Jersey Construction Accident Attorney

A crushing injury can change your life forever. Talk to a skilled New Jersey construction accident attorney today to seek meaningful compensation that will help you recover physically and financially.

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we want you to know you are not alone. Our legal team will help you navigate the workers’ compensation or claims process and attempt to recover the compensation you deserve. Talk to a team member today by calling (973) 364-8300 to schedule your free and confidential legal consultation.