Severe crush injuries can have lasting effects on an injured person’s life, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation while preventing the individual from working to earn a living. Catastrophic crush injuries frequently result in severe pain, emotional trauma, and reduced enjoyment of life. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we help injured people in St. Louis with major crush injury claims. If you suffered a life-altering crush injury, we want to help you by protecting your legal rights, advising you of your options, and seeking the money you need to rebuild your life. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.
What Are Catastrophic Crush Injuries?
Catastrophic crush injuries occur when an individual’s body part is compressed or crushed between objects or equipment. When someone’s body is crushed, multiple organs and tissues can be severely damaged. Specifically, bones, muscle tissue, nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues can sustain damage. Unfortunately, sometimes, crushed limbs and tissue damage can be so severe that the body part must be amputated. Although any crush injury can be life-changing, injuries to smaller body parts, such as fingers and toes, typically have a lesser effect on the accident victim’s quality of life and earning capacity. Crush injuries to the head or torso are generally the most catastrophic type of crush injuries and are often fatal. Crushing injuries that affect someone’s torso or chest can have a wide range of outcomes. If your chest and abdomen are compressed in an accident, there is a significant risk of serious impact to vital organs. Crush injuries can cause renal failure (kidney failure) and other severe injuries to internal organs. Spinal cord injuries can also result from crushing accidents. Other catastrophic injuries from crushing include acute respiratory distress syndrome and crush syndrome. In addition to tissue death and internal injuries, crushing accidents can also leave an injured person with significant psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many individuals with crush injuries face permanent disabilities.How Our Catastrophic Crush Injury Lawyers Can Help You
To bring a successful crush injury claim, you must prove the negligence of another party caused the accident. A crush injury attorney from Sumner Law Group, LLC, can thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident that caused your crush injuries and gather the necessary evidence to build a robust case. Examples of critical evidence may include:- Photographs of any vehicles or equipment involved
- Pictures of the accident scene
- The police report or an incident report
- Expert analysis
- Medical records and bills
- Your payroll records if you are off work
Seeking Full Compensation for Catastrophic Crush Injuries
It’s difficult to say what fair compensation might entail in your case without a thorough review of your injury and what you’ve suffered as a result. Although every case is different, you can likely seek compensation for losses such as:- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Prescription medication
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
The Life-Altering Impact of Severe Crush Injuries
Crush injuries can have life-altering consequences for accident victims. Even a crushed toe or finger can require a lengthy healing process and physical therapy after the initial medical treatment is complete. If a larger body part is crushed in an accident, the injury can have devastating effects on the victim and their family. It can affect every aspect of their life, including the ability to earn a living or easily perform daily living activities. Crush injuries often impact the victim’s overall quality of life In addition to the financial and physical impact a crush injury can have, it can also affect the individual’s mental and emotional health. Psychological treatment may be necessary as the injured individual navigates the aftermath of a crush injury.Common Causes of Severe Crush Injuries in St. Louis
Severe crush injuries typically occur in accidents in which a body part is trapped between two objects, between an object and the ground, or within heavy equipment. Sometimes, blunt force trauma or a fall from height can also result in a crush injury. Some common causes of crush injuries include the following:- Motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle and truck crashes
- Fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Premises liability accidents