Construction Accidents and Crush Injuries
Construction accidents are among the most devastating in terms of the catastrophic damage they can inflict upon victims, physically, emotionally, and financially. Construction sites are inherently dangerous due to the amount of heavy equipment and hazardous materials present. Accidents that occur on construction sites are therefore far more likely to result in serious injury or death than accidents on the majority of other job sites.
One of the leading causes of deaths on construction sites, crush injuries are a type of “caught between” injury, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In this case, a part of the body, or indeed the entire body, is caught between two objects heavy enough to cause serious damage.
When it comes to handling legal claims involving construction accidents and crush injuries, the Daytona Beach, FL attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau have the experience and resources necessary to provide exceptional representation to injured workers and their families. If you or a member of your family has suffered a crush injury due to a construction accident, or if you have tragically lost a family member due to such an accident, we urge you to contact the law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau today to arrange for an evaluation of your case.
What Are Crush Injuries?
OSHA classifies crush injuries as part of the “fatal four” types of accidents in the construction industry, as they are among the four leading causes of death among construction workers. The term “crush injuries” can be applied to an injury that involves any part of the human body, including the entire body, getting caught, compressed, squeezed, or pinched between two or more objects. One of the objects may be, and often is, the ground. In the case of cave-ins, both objects may refer to earth.
Construction Accidents That Most Often Lead to Crush Injuries
In many cases, crush injuries occur due to safety protocols not being followed, rules being ignored, machinery not being properly maintained or secured, improper training, the wearing of loose clothing around heavy machinery, and other preventable circumstances. In such cases, an already dangerous worksite can become deadly.
The following types of construction accidents are those most likely to result in crush injuries:
- Cave-ins and trench collapses
- Workers getting pulled into the moving parts of heavy machinery
- Accidents involving construction site vehicles such as steamrollers, forklifts, bulldozers, and earth movers
- Accidents involving falling objects, such as objects falling from scaffolding or from a crane
Common Crush Injuries
Tragically, one of the most common results of crush injuries is death. Other common crush injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Tissue death (necrosis)
- Nerve damage
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Compartment syndrome
- Laceration
- Permanent disability
Arrange for an Evaluation of Your Crush Injury Case
If you would like to arrange for an evaluation of your construction accident case, we encourage you to contact the law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau today. We would be pleased to answer any questions you might have and advise you of your legal rights and options.