Crush injuries are among the most serious types of accidents at work, often caused by body parts being caught, trapped, or compressed in machinery or heavy equipment. These injuries can have devastating physical and emotional consequences.
At Harris Fowler Solicitors, we specialise in helping people who have suffered crush injuries at work to claim compensation for the personal injury they have suffered and to rebuild their lives. If you’ve been injured because of unsafe machinery or your employer’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a workplace injury claim.
What Is a Crush Injury?
A crush injury occurs when a part of the body is subjected to extreme force between two hard surfaces. In workplace settings, these injuries most commonly involve:
- Hands or fingers trapped in moving machinery
- Limbs crushed between heavy vehicles or loads
- Feet or legs caught under pallets or equipment
- Accidents involving unguarded or faulty machinery
Such machinery accidents at work are particularly common in construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and agricultural environments.
Common Causes of Crush Injuries at Work
Crush injuries are often preventable and occur due to a lack of proper safety measures. The most frequent causes include:
- Missing or defective machine guards
- Poor training or supervision
- Inadequate risk assessments
- Faulty or poorly maintained equipment
- Unsafe manual handling or loading procedures
If your employer failed to protect you from these hazards, you may have a strong basis for a crush injury compensation claim.
The Impact of Crush Injuries
Crush injuries can cause life-changing damage, such as:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe soft tissue and muscle damage
- Nerve and tendon injuries
- Amputation of fingers, hands, or limbs
- Compartment syndrome, where swelling cuts off circulation
- Long-term disability and psychological trauma
Victims often require surgery, rehabilitation, and may be unable to return to work for months or permanently. If you have been subject to an injury because of a crushing injury we may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
- Out of pocket expenses such as medical costs and taxis to get to and from medical appointments.
- Loss of earnings.
- Care costs for any additional care provided by friends and family members.
Your Employer’s Legal Responsibilities
All employers in the UK are legally required under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment. This means they must:
- Ensure machinery is safe, properly maintained, and guarded
- Provide full training and supervision
- Supply appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Carry out regular risk assessments and implement safe systems of work
If your employer has failed in their duty and you’ve suffered a crush injury at work, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and ongoing care needs.
How to Claim Compensation for a Crush Injury at Work
At Harris Fowler Solicitors, we understand how devastating workplace accidents can be. Our expert team of workplace injury solicitors can help you secure the compensation and rehabilitation you deserve.
We handle claims on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning there’s no financial risk to you. Get in contact with our team today for a cost and obligation free assessment of your claim.
With decades of experience handling serious workplace injury claims, Harris Fowler has built a strong reputation for achieving excellent results for clients across England and Wales.
📞 Call us today on 0800 213 214
