Crush injuries are some of the most devastating workplace injuries — often resulting in permanent damage, amputation, nerve loss, or death. While workers’ compensation typically covers medical care and lost wages, it may not be your only option.
In California, if your crush injury was caused by a defective machine, negligent subcontractor, or safety violation, you may also have the right to file a civil lawsuit — which can lead to significantly greater compensation.
At Employees First Labor Law (EFLL), we don’t just handle workers’ comp. We have a specialized civil litigation team that fights for injured workers when others are to blame.
What Is a Crush Injury?
A crush injury occurs when a part of the body — often a hand, arm, foot, or leg — is caught between two heavy objects or compressed with significant force. These injuries commonly happen with:
- Conveyor belts
- Hydraulic presses
- Forklifts and pallet jacks
- Trash compactors
- Loading docks
- Heavy manufacturing equipment
Crush injuries may result in:
- Fractures or shattered bones
- Nerve and vascular damage
- Internal organ injury
- Traumatic amputation
- Compartment syndrome, which can be fatal if untreated
What Does Workers’ Comp Cover?
If your injury occurred on the job, workers’ comp in California provides:
- All medical treatment (surgery, physical therapy, prosthetics)
- Temporary and permanent disability payments
- Supplemental job displacement benefits
- Death benefits for surviving family members
But workers’ comp does not cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Full wage loss (only a percentage is covered)
That’s where a third-party lawsuit can make all the difference.
When Can You Sue Outside of Workers’ Comp?
You may be able to sue in addition to receiving workers’ comp if someone other than your employer was at fault. Common third-party claims include:
- Defective machinery (e.g., lack of guards, defective safety shutoffs)
- Negligent subcontractors or temporary staffing agencies
- General contractors who failed to maintain a safe jobsite
- Product liability for unsafe tools or equipment
- Property owner negligence (e.g., unsafe loading areas or floors)
📌 Example: If your hand was crushed in a machine that malfunctioned due to a design defect, you may have a claim against the manufacturer — and potentially recover millions.
How EFLL Handles High-Stakes Crush Injury Claims
At Employees First Labor Law, we are uniquely equipped to pursue maximum compensation by combining:
✅ Aggressive workers’ comp representation
✅ Elite third-party civil litigation
✅ Medical and vocational experts who can testify to lifelong damages
✅ Life care planners and economists to calculate full losses
We’ve helped clients recover compensation for:
- Lifelong medical care
- Amputation and prosthetics
- Pain and suffering
- Lost future earnings
- Home modifications and in-home support
- Punitive damages for gross negligence
Employees First Labor Law – Workers Comp Experts
A workplace crush injury can permanently alter your life — physically, emotionally, and financially. When the stakes are this high, you need more than just a basic workers’ comp attorney. You need a legal team that knows how to take on both insurance companies and negligent third parties.
At EFLL, we’re built differently:
- We have dedicated teams for both workers’ compensation and high-stakes civil litigation
- We investigate every possible source of compensation — from defective machinery to negligent contractors
- We partner with top medical experts, economists, and life care planners to build maximum-value cases
- We don’t back down — we litigate when others settle
If your hand, limb, or body was crushed in a workplace accident, we’ll fight to make sure your recovery reflects the seriousness of your injury — and the life you’ve lost. Let EFLL protect your future.
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