A crush injury is one of the most traumatic and serious types of harm seen in California personal injury cases, often resulting from vehicle collisions, or falls involving heavy machinery or objects. These injuries can lead to permanent disability, organ failure, amputation, or even death—and often require long-term care, multiple surgeries, and extensive rehabilitation.
If your crush injury was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation under California personal injury law.
🧠 What Is a Crush Injury?
A crush injury occurs when a body part (such as the arm, leg, torso, or foot) is subjected to extreme pressure, causing:
- Muscle and nerve damage
- Fractures and broken bones
- Compartment syndrome (increased pressure within muscles, requiring emergency surgery)
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage or failure
- Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue leading to kidney failure)
- Amputation in severe cases
🚧 Common Causes of Crush Injuries in Personal Injury Cases
Crush injuries often result from:
- Motor vehicle accidents (limbs trapped under or inside vehicles)
- Truck or bus accidents
- Motorcycle or bicycle crashes
- Industrial or warehouse incidents (forklifts, machinery malfunctions)
- Slip-and-falls with heavy objects involved
- Elevator or escalator malfunctions
- Defective products or machinery
⚖️ Legal Basis for Compensation in California
To recover damages in a California personal injury case, you must prove:
- Duty of care: The other party had a legal obligation to act reasonably and safely.
- Breach of duty: They failed to uphold this duty (e.g., driving recklessly, failing to maintain safe equipment).
- Causation: Their actions directly caused your crush injury.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm (physical, emotional, financial).
🔁 California’s pure comparative negligence rule:
You can still recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault—your damages will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
💰 Potential Compensation for Crush Injuries
Due to the severity and long-term consequences, crush injury cases often involve high-value settlements or verdicts.
🔹 Economic Damages:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Multiple surgeries (including debridement or reconstructive surgery)
- Skin grafts or amputation
- Long-term physical therapy
- Prosthetics and assistive devices
- Home modifications (wheelchair ramps, etc.)
- Lost income and future reduced earning capacity
- Home healthcare or nursing assistance
🔹 Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of mobility or independence
- Emotional distress or depression
- Loss of consortium (impact on family or relationship life)
- Reduced quality of life
💡 If gross negligence or intentional harm is involved, punitive damages may also apply.
📂 What Evidence Supports a Crush Injury Claim?
You’ll need to document the full impact of the injury on your body, life, and finances.
✅ Key Evidence Includes:
- ER and hospital records
- Orthopedic and surgical reports
- Imaging results (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Physical therapy documentation
- Expert testimony (e.g., medical professionals, life care planners)
- Photos of the injury and the scene
- Witness statements
- Personal journal documenting recovery, limitations, and emotional impact
⏳ Statute of Limitations in California
- You generally have 2 years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Claims against a government agency must be filed within 6 months of the incident.
⚠️ Do not delay—missing deadlines can result in losing your right to compensation.
👨⚖️ Why Hire a California Personal Injury Lawyer?
Crush injury cases are complex, high-stakes, and often contested fiercely by insurance companies and employers. A skilled attorney can:
- Establish liability and prove negligence
- Quantify the full scope of your damages, including future care
- Bring in medical and financial experts
- Negotiate high-value settlements
- Represent you in court if necessary
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].