Los Angeles Crush Injury Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Maison Law helps workers in Los Angeles through the workers’ compensation process when they’re hurt on the job. Virtually every workplace has injury hazards, and none are more serious than when you’re crushed by something heavy. If you’ve suffered a crush injury at work, workers’ compensation can help you recover. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.

Should You Get a Lawyer for a Workers’ Comp Claim After a Crush Injury?

Not surprisingly, crush injuries at work are serious and usually mean extensive medical care, surgery, and time off. While workers’ compensation is designed to help, the claims process can be complicated, especially for these types of injuries.

You’re not required to get a lawyer, but working with our team can make the process much easier. We’ll help you by:

• Filing your claim correctly and on time to avoid delays or denials.
• Gathering evidence and medical records to show how the injury happened and its impact on your life.
• Working with doctors to assess the severity of your injury and your recovery needs.
• Appealing denied claims or low settlement offers from your employer’s insurance.
  
  

We handle the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations so you can focus on healing. Crush injuries can be life-changing, but we’re here to make sure you get the benefits and support you need.

Why Would I Need to File a Workers’ Comp Claim For a Crush Injury?

Crush injuries in workplaces often result from negligence, and their consequences can be severe. The University of Pennsylvania Medical School defines a crush injury as happening when: extremely high pressure is exerted on a part of your body, usually when this body part is squeezed between two heavy objects.

Not surprisingly, crush injuries often lead to broken bones, nerve damage, and other serious complications. In Los Angeles (or really anywhere), crush injuries happen across various industries and workplaces. That said, they often happen because of certain things like:

• Lack of training – If a worker hasn’t been properly trained on how to use equipment or follow safety procedures, they’re at a much higher risk of crush injuries. For example, you might get a hand or foot caught in machinery or be struck by a heavy object.

 

• Unsafe conditions – When the work area is cluttered or equipment is poorly maintained, workers can be easily pinned between objects or caught under something that collapses, leading to crush injuries.

 

• Heavy machinery – Workers around heavy equipment like forklifts or cranes are at risk of crush injuries if the machinery malfunctions or if they aren’t careful. You could get trapped under the machine or between its moving parts.

 

• Construction injuries – On construction sites, workers face the danger of being crushed by falling tools, materials, or even collapsing structures. These types of injuries can be severe and often involve injuries to your head, arms, hands, legs, or feet.

 

• Poor maintenance – Workers are at risk of crush injuries when machines aren’t properly maintained or lack safety guards. You could get caught in machinery, especially around moving parts or poorly functioning equipment.

 

• Vehicle accidents – Workers near vehicles, such as trucks or forklifts, are at risk of being struck or pinned between a vehicle and another object, which can lead to severe crush injuries.

 

Knowing how crush injuries happen can help workers take steps to avoid them. By being aware of the risks, workers can stay alert and take precautions to stay safe. However, it’s important to remember that it’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure the work environment is safe. If that doesn’t happen and you get a crush injury, you have the option to file for workers’ compensation and start receiving benefits.

What Benefits Can I Get in a Workers’ Comp Claim For a Crush Injury?

Workers’ comp has two main benefits: First, you don’t have to prove fault when you’re injured. You simply file your claim and start receiving benefits. Second, virtually any workplace injury or illness is covered by workers’ comp. So, when you have a crush injury or something related at work, you’re eligible for benefits. 

In order to get benefits, though, you have to first file your claim. To do this, you simply:

• Visit your HR department or go to someone in charge and ask for the DWC-1 Form. Complete it, then turn it in.
  
  

Once that step is done, you have filed for workers’ compensation and should be able to start receiving benefits. Every situation is different, but typical benefits with a crush injury includes:

• Medical expenses – Workers’ comp covers medical care for your injury, like doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and equipment like crutches or braces.
  
  

• Temporary Disability (TD) – If your injury keeps you from working, you may receive payments to help replace some of your lost wages while you recover.
  
  

• Permanent Disability (PD) – If your injury causes long-term damage that affects your ability to work, you can get compensation based on how much your ability to work has been affected.
  
  

• Job retraining – If you can’t return to your old job, workers’ comp can help pay for training or education to help you find a new job that fits your abilities.

 

Remember to file your claim within one year of your injury. TD benefits typically last up to 104 weeks, so if you still can’t work after that, you may need to look into a civil claim or lawsuit for more compensation. This can help cover pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages, and our team can help guide you through the process. That said, though, you’re going to have to take certain steps to protect whichever claim you decide to file.

What Should You Do If You Suffer a Crush Injury at Work?

If you suffer a crush injury at work, it’s important to act quickly and take the right steps. Here’s what you should do:

• Call 911 – Like any accident, your health is the top priority when you suffer a crush injury at work. Call 911 or go to the hospital or urgent care right away. If your employer provides first aid, use it until paramedics get there.
  
  

• Report to your employer – Inform your supervisor or manager about the injury as soon as possible. In California, you have 30 days to report a workplace injury.
  
  

• Keep track of expenses – Save all receipts and records for expenses related to your crush injury, like medical bills, transportation, prescriptions, and therapy costs. This shows the full financial impact of your injury and will factor into what you get in benefits
  
  

• Follow your doctor’s orders – Follow your doctor’s treatment plan exactly. Missing appointments or not following instructions can make it look like you’re not taking your recovery seriously, which can hurt your workers’ comp claim. Stay on track with your doctor visits, therapy, and prescribed medications.
  
  

• Watch statements you make – Be careful about what you say to anyone about your injury. Don’t downplay how bad it is or say you’re feeling better if you’re not. Stick to the facts about your condition. Also, check all paperwork and statements from the insurance company to make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date.

 

While each case is different, following these steps will help you manage the medical side of your crush injury and protect your job and finances in the process. From there, you can lean on our team’s experience for guidance and support as you make your way through the process.

Contact Maison Law After a Crush Injury in Los Angeles

Dealing with a crush injury at work in Los Angeles can be overwhelming. The pain, medical treatments, and time off work can add up quickly. Maison Law’s workers’ compensation lawyers can help you through the claims process and make sure you have the benefits you need to get better. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.