Crush injury at work claims

If you've suffered a crush injury in the workplace and your employer was at fault, we can help you claim compensation with a crush injury at work claim.

Start your claim Call 0800 470 0472

We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.

Crush Injury at Work Claims

Many workplace hazards, such as faulty machinery, poor safety measures, inadequate training and a lack of protective equipment, can lead to crush injuries at work. These can range from mild soft tissue damage to the arms or legs to catastrophic, life-changing injuries that may result in amputations or organ damage.

Employers have a legal duty to take all reasonable measures to prevent such accidents and injuries from happening. They must carry out regular risk assessments, offer proper training, and ensure that all equipment and machinery are in good working order. If they fail to do so and you suffer an injury, they may be liable for your pain, suffering and associated financial losses.

To find out if you can make a crush injury at work claim against your employer, get a free case assessment by calling 0800 470 0472 or entering your details here.

Key points about crush injury at work claims

Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you suffered a crush injury at work due to machinery, falling objects, or unsafe procedures.
Employer Duties: Employers must protect workers by providing training, supervision, and properly maintained equipment.
Time Limit: You typically have 3 years from the date of the injury to start a claim against your employer.
Compensation: Can cover the severity of the injury, long-term disability, lost earnings, and medical treatment.
No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis — you’ll only pay a fee if your claim is successful.

Speak to a legal advisor, today!

Friendly legal advisors are available to discuss your work accident claim today.

Find out if you have a valid claim
A risk free, no win no fee service
We are available 7 days a week
Experienced personal injury lawyers

Call 0800 470 0472 Arrange a callback

Table of Contents

What is a crush injury?

A crush injury is damage that occurs when a body part is squeezed, trapped or compressed between two heavy objects or between the ground and an object. This type of injury can damage muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues and can range from mild to severe, depending on the force applied, the duration of compression, and the body part affected.

These factors will also impact the severity of your symptoms, which could include:

Pain in the affected area, which may be sudden or develop and worsen over time;
Swelling due to white blood cells and fluid build-up as the body begins the healing process;
Bruising or bleeding due to damage to the blood vessels at the site of injury;
Numbness and loss of sensation or mobility due to nerve damage or a broken bone.

If the crush injury is severe, it can lead to various complications, which could include:

Hypovolemic shock and organ failure if there is extensive bleeding;
Hyperkalaemia and a heart attack due to dangerously high potassium levels following nerve damage;
Compartment syndrome can occur if pressure cuts the flow of blood to a group of muscles, leading to tissue death.

If you suffered a crush injury, prompt medical intervention is essential to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing.

How are crush injuries treated?

The treatment for a crush injury depends on its severity and any complications. It might include:

First aid at the scene of the accident by applying pressure and covering the injured area;
Pain relief with medicine such as analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or nerve blockers for specific injuries;
Antibiotics to prevent infection if there is an open wound;
IV fluids to avoid dehydration and to help the body’s healing process;
Diuretics to help flush out toxins from the kidneys;
Ice therapy to reduce the pain and swelling at the site of injury;
Surgical intervention to repair any significant damage to the bones, nerves or other tissues;
Physical therapy to restore strength, movement and function;
In the most severe cases, if the damage is extensive and irreversible, amputation may be necessary.

Some possible long-term or permanent effects of a crush injury include:

Permanent damage to nerves, leading to chronic pain, numbness, tingling, or even paralysis in the affected area;
Muscle weakness, atrophy, or loss of function in the affected limb;
Long-term kidney damage, with the need for lifelong dialysis or a transplant;
Joint stiffness and mobility issues;
Scarring and disfigurement;
A severe crush injury can also have a long-lasting emotional and psychological impact, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.

Does my employer have a duty of care to prevent crush injuries at work?

Yes, your employer has legal responsibilities toward you while you are doing your job. They must comply with various workplace legislation to ensure you are as safe as possible from harm, of which the fundamental one is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Under this act, they must take the following measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of crush injuries at work:

Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards that could lead to crush injuries and take measures to eliminate or mitigate them;
Ensure there are safe systems of work in place and keep a clean environment;
Provide adequate initial and ongoing training to employees;
When necessary, ensure workers have adequate protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves or reinforced clothing;
Use appropriate signage to warn employees of known hazards that could cause injuries;
Ensure that all machinery, equipment, and vehicles are properly maintained and in safe working condition;
When necessary, provide adequate supervision to ensure employees do their work tasks safely and are not taking any unnecessary risks;
Install and maintain safety guards on machinery to prevent contact with moving parts;
Have systems in place for reporting accidents, injuries and near misses.

Failing to fulfil any of these duties could entitle you to seek compensation from your employer if this negligence caused your accident and crush injury at work.

Am I eligible to make a crush injury compensation claim?

If you’ve suffered a crush injury that wasn’t your fault, you could claim compensation for your pain, suffering and related financial losses. While it may be difficult to know if you have a valid legal case, an experienced solicitor can assess this within minutes during a free consultation over the phone. They will ask you a few questions to determine whether:

Your employer owed you a legal duty of care;
They breached this duty through negligence and caused an accident;
You sustained a crush injury due to that accident within the past three years.

A duty of care will be established based on relevant workplace legislation, such as the one mentioned above. If there is sufficient evidence to prove negligence, the solicitor will help you claim on a no win no fee basis and secure compensation for your losses.

It is essential to remember that you may also be able to claim if you were partially responsible for your accident. However, if there was any contributory negligence on your part, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your partial fault. For example, if you suffered an arm injury valued at £40,000 but you were 25% responsible for it, you might only receive £30,000 for your pain and suffering.

Compensation Calculator

Use our compensation calculator to find out how much compensation your crush injury could be worth. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Calculate Now

Evidence needed to make a claim for a crush injury at work

No matter the circumstances of your accident, you will need evidence if you want to make a successful crush injury claim for compensation. This must prove who was at fault for the accident, the severity of the injury and its impact on your life. Your solicitor will work hard to ensure you have everything you need, which could include:

Photographs or a video of the accident scene, taken by you or a witness before anything is moved, repaired or replaced;
Pictures of your injuries and your recovery process;
If available, CCTV footage of the incident, which you should request as soon as possible, as it is usually deleted within a month;
A copy of an accident report filed with your employer will prove the date, time and location of your crush accident;
Statements from coworkers or other bystanders who saw how the events occurred can help support your claim if the defendant denies liability;
Your medical records, such as doctor’s notes, X-rays and treatment plans, will show the type and severity of your injury;
Testimony from a medical specialist regarding the long-term effects of any life-changing injuries;
You also need financial documents, such as receipts and invoices, to prove any related losses or expenses.

What are the most common causes of crush injuries at work?

Various types of workplace accidents could lead to a crush injury, including:

Machinery accidents, such as getting body parts caught or trapped in moving parts due to a lack of safety guards;
Being hit by falling objects, such as tools, equipment or materials in construction sites, warehouses or factories;
Being pinned or crushed by a forklift that has tipped over due to inadequate loading;
Road traffic accidents involving work lorries, delivery trucks or military vehicles;
A fall from height due to a lack of adequate safety measures, such as a safety net or harness;
Building collapses can also trap workers underneath and cause severe crush injuries.

If you suffered a crush injury in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault, an expert solicitor could help you receive compensation for your pain and suffering. Common causes of crush injuries in the workplace include a lack of training, inadequate signage, faulty machinery and a lack of PPE.

Could I lose my job if I make an accident at work claim against my employer?

If you make a claim for an accident at work, you are protected by unfair and constructive dismissal laws in the UK. Under these laws, your employer can only sack you under certain circumstances, which include not doing your job correctly, gross misconduct and redundancy.

You should not be dismissed or forced to leave your job against your will for making a personal injury claim, and if you are, this could give rise to a separate claim for unfair or constructive dismissal. If this does happen, a specialist lawyer can help you make a further claim at an employment tribunal. The tribunal may order them to give you your job back, compensate you financially or take any other corrective measures according to the situation.

If you are worried about claiming compensation, you should keep in mind that all employers must hold insurance against personal injuries to employees. This is called Employer’s Liability (EL) insurance and will cover all your damages if your claim is successful, so your employer will not be left out of pocket.

No Win No Fee Guarantee

Our no win no fee guarantee ensures that you never have to worry about unexpected fees or financial risk. Your solicitor will only receive a success fee if they win your claim.

Learn more

Is there a time limit to make a crush injury claim against my employer?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim. This time limit exists to ensure that evidence is preserved and encourages the prompt filing of a claim without indefinite delays. Once this period expires, your case will usually be statute-barred and no longer valid.

There are a few exceptions that may apply, such as:

The three-year time limit only begins on a person’s 18th birthday. If you were injured before that, a parent or legal guardian could make a child injury claim on your behalf at any time. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start a claim for crush injuries yourself.
The limitation date is put on hold if you cannot handle a claim due to the severity of your injuries or a pre-existing condition such as a mental health issue or intellectual disability. In such cases, a litigation friend could represent you.
If you lost a loved one due to severe crush injuries caused by an accident at work, you have three years to claim compensation starting from their date of death.
If you had an accident while working abroad, you can still claim for your injuries, but the time limit could vary depending on the relevant country’s laws.

How much compensation can I claim for a crush injury?

The amount of compensation you can claim for your injuries will be calculated based on two types of damages that your solicitor will include in your claim. These are:

General damages, which are awarded for the injury or injuries you have suffered. This will take into account:

Physical pain and suffering
Emotional and mental distress
Psychological damage
Loss of consortium or companionship
Scarring and disfigurement
Reduced quality of life and ability to engage in hobbies or activities you enjoyed before

Special damages, which are awarded for financial losses and expenses related to your accident, such as:

Prescriptions and private treatments
Medical aids such as prostheses
Loss of earnings during recovery and loss of earning capacity
Costs for care and assistance with daily living
Travel expenses to medical appointments
Changes to your home or vehicle to cope with a disability

Special damages are calculated based on financial documents, such as receipts, payslips and medical bills. General damages are based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College and could amount to:

Injury Type	Description	Compensation
Leg Injuries	A severe leg injury falling just short of amputation	£127,000 - £180,000
	Multiple or complicated fractures or severe crush injuries to one leg	£37,000 - £52,000
Chest Injuries	Traumatic chest, lung or heart injury with permanent damage and reduced life expectancy	£87,000 - £133,000
Digestive System	Severe traumatic damage to the digestive system, with ongoing pain and discomfort	£57,000 - £82,000
Toe Injuries	Severe toe injuries, including crush injuries leading to amputation of one or two toes, not including the big toe	£18,000 - £28,000
General Psychiatric Damage	Psychiatric damage affecting life, education, work and relationships, but with good improvement and prognosis	£7,700 - £25,000
Hand Injuries	A moderate hand injury, including crush injuries, penetrating wounds or soft tissue damage	£7,500 - £18,000

Will my personal injury solicitor provide a No Win No Fee service?

Yes, an experienced personal injury solicitor will help you claim the compensation you deserve on a no win no fee basis. They will not ask for any upfront payments, and they will only receive a success fee if you win the claim.

The success fee is agreed upon from the beginning and cannot exceed 25% of your award for general damages and past financial losses. You do not pay them a single penny if you lose your claim.

To find out if you can start a crush injury at work claim, call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation with a legal adviser or enter your details here to request a call back.