Crush Injury Claims Solicitors.

Crush injuries are typically caused by an accident in which a sudden impact, involving high pressure or heavy weight, compresses part of the body between two solid objects. Some of the most common types of accident that can lead to a crush injury include:

• Road traffic accidents – As our roads get busier, road traffic accidents (RTA) are unfortunately becoming increasingly common. An RTA could involve a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian being impacted by a moving vehicle, causing part of their body to become crushed.
• Machinery accidents – Industries that use heavy equipment and machinery are statistically more likely to have accidents resulting in crush injuries. For example, industries such as construction, agriculture, warehousing, and logistics carry a higher risk of crush injuries than office-based workplaces.
• Overcrowding – When a venue, such as an arena or sports ground, is hosting an event for thousands of people, there is a risk of crush injuries occurring due to overcrowding. For example, if the crowd surges forwards, people can become too compressed against each other, or pushed up against walls or railings, leading to crush injuries occurring.
• Building collapse – A building may collapse for several reasons, for example a planned demolition in which the correct procedures have not been followed. A building may also collapse if it has not been constructed properly and is then subjected to a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane.
• Falls from height – The impact with the ground, or an object, after a fall from height can result in a crush injury occurring.

If you have been involved in any type of accident that occurred due to somebody else’s negligence, and it resulted in you sustaining a crush injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation. At Lanyon Bowdler our specialist team of personal injury solicitors have helped many people in your situation to seek justice, receive compensation, and access private medical treatment and alternative therapies to aid their recovery. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out how we can help you, too.

The symptoms of a crush injury will differ depending on the part of the body affected, and the severity of the injury. However, some of the most commonly experienced symptoms after a crush injury include:

• Pain – The individual may experience sudden pain, or it may develop and worsen over time.
• Swelling – The site of the injury may become swollen as fluid and white blood cells rush to begin the healing process.
• Bruising – The impact of a sudden crush injury can cause the capillaries near the skin’s surface to break.
• Numbness – The individual may experience a loss of feeling, numbness, or a tingling sensation of the injured area.
• Loss of movement – The individual may lose mobility in the injured site, perhaps due to nerve or bone damage.

After a crush injury it is vital that you seek medical assistance as soon as possible, even if you feel relatively okay. Sometimes it is possible to sustain an internal injury which will only be discovered after examination by a paramedic or doctor.

The treatment for a crush injury typically depends on the part of the body affected, and the severity of the injury. The first step taken after a crush injury is usually to stabilise the condition and prevent further injury from occurring, for example by stopping any bleeding and cleaning any wounds to prevent infection.

Some of the different types of treatment prescribed for a crush injury include:

• Pain relief – Medication such paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, or opioid based analgesics like codeine and morphine will be administered depending on the levels of pain experienced.
• Ice therapy – Treating a crush injury with ice, usually by applying an ice pack, can help to reduce the swelling and pain at the site of the injury.
• Compression – Applying a compression bandage to the affected body parts can also help to alleviate swelling and pain.
• Elevation – Raising the injured body part above heart level can aid blood flow and drainage, helping to reduce the swelling.
• Fluids – Patients may be given an intravenous fluid drip in order to prevent dehydration and aid the body’s natural healing process.
• Rest – After the trauma of a crush injury the body needs time to rest and heal, so patients are advised to avoid overexertion for a period of time.
• Surgery – If the crush injury has damaged any of the patient’s bones, tissue, or nerves, surgery may be required to repair the damage.
• Blood transfusion – If the crush injury has caused internal bleeding it may be necessary to perform a transfusion to replace the blood lost.
• Physiotherapy – After the accident the patient may need help from a physiotherapist as they work towards regaining their strength and range of motion in the affected area.

The time it takes to recover from a crush injury will vary depending on the severity of the injury, and the general health of the patient. In the majority of cases a full recovery will be made, and most people go on to live a normal life. However, in some cases, the victim may be left with permanent and life-changing damage which limits how they carry out their daily tasks.

A crush injury is both physically and psychologically traumatic instantly, and the trauma can also be prolonged due to some of the potentially dangerous complications that could occur. Even if the injury does not seem very extreme at the time, it is always advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible in case there is internal damage that can’t be seen or felt initially.

Some of the medical complications that can arise from a crush injury include:

• Degloving – Also known as avulsion, this refers to the situation whereby the top layers of the skin become forcefully separated from the adjoining musculature, and it typically requires prompt surgical treatment.
• Hyperkalemia – This occurs when the sudden damage to the cell membranes triggers large amounts of potassium to be released into the body, which can subsequently cause a heart attack.
• Hypovolemic shock – Also known as low-volume shock, it is triggered by a significant amount of internal bleeding, and can cause damage to the organs including organ failure.
• Rhabdomyolysis – Damaged muscle tissues release a chemical known as myoglobin, as well as electrolytes and proteins, into the blood. These substances can accumulate and cause damage to the heart and kidneys that can lead to permanent disability, or even prove fatal.
• Compartment syndrome – This is a painful condition that occurs when an increased amount of pressure within a compartment of grouped muscles leads to a restriction in blood flow to the area, potentially causing tissue, muscle, and nerve damage.

If you have suffered medical complications after a crush injury that wasn’t your fault, we can help you to seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our specialist team of personal injury solicitors today to find out more.