Columbus Crush Injury Lawyers

The damage caused by a crush injury can last far past the initial injury itself. Crush injuries are injuries caused as a result of direct physical crushing of the muscles and organs due to something heavy. Crush syndrome, on the other hand, involves a series of metabolic changes due to an injury of the skeletal muscles of such a severity as to cause a disruption of cellular integrity. In the workplace, one of the most prevalent fatal accidents is caused by crushes due to equipment or by cave-in’s. Because of the nature of these injuries, employers need to take extra steps to ensure that their employees are protected from crush injuries.

When there are extreme amounts of force placed on the body, pinning part of the body between two objects, the pressure will likely cause both external and internal damage. Likely, you will see: laceration due to the pressure from the objects cutting through the skin, broken bones, organ damage, and tissue and muscle damage from blood not being able to reach different areas of the body, which can lead to paralysis, infection, and compartment syndrome.

Compartment syndrome is when a body part is crushed for a long period of time and blood flow is restricted from that part of the body, causing muscle and tissue death. If not treated quickly by a professional to release the pressure, there is often permanent muscle damage and amputation of the limb. Acute compartment syndrome, as seen in crush injuries, is often easily diagnosed by swelling, shiny/pale skin, numbness, pain, and weakness. In order to prevent long term damage, the victim of the crush accident should seek immediate professional help.

Extreme shock and renal failure are often seen in crush injuries, as well. When a body part has been compressed, muscle and tissue begins to die. Potassium, myoglobin, and phosphorous are by-products of muscle deterioration, and when the pressure from the accident is released, these elements rush into the bloodstream and cause kidney failure and shock. If the responders to the accident are not properly prepared, this sudden release can also cause death.

Crush syndrome, as defined above, can lead to greater cardiovascular problems, renal failure, permanent muscle and nerve damage, amputation, and death. An estimated 50% of survivors of crush injury will need kidney dialysis; even more survivors will have extensive surgery immediately after the injury as well as throughout the following years.

Recognition of crush injuries / crush syndrome and treatment involves a close link between trauma surgeons, physicians, biochemists, radiologists, and psychiatrists. Rehabilitation following a crush injury needs to be both physical as well as psychiatric, and is often an extremely long process, causing the victim to lose time and money due to an accident.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crush injury, you understand the pain and hardship that accompanies these injuries. The Columbus crush injury attorneys at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys understand what your family is going through financially, emotionally, and physically. If the injury occurred at a workplace or a public place, you may be able to receive financial compensation through both workers’ compensation as well as a third-party lawsuit. We invite you to call today to discuss your options moving forward.