Which term refers to injuries that occur when a person is caught between objects run over by a moving vehicle or compressed by machinery?

Injuries resulting from contact with objects and equipment is the third leading cause of work-related death and the fourth leading cause of nonfatal injuries involving days away from work. In 2020, 716 workers died and 196,140 were injured. This category includes several types of injury events:

A moving object striking a worker
A worker striking against an object or equipment, including bumping into, stepping on, kicking, or being pushed or thrown onto an object
Part of a worker’s body being squeezed, pinched, compressed or crushed in equipment, between shifting objects, between stationary objects, or in a wire or rope
A worker being struck, caught or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment or material
A worker being injured as a result of friction or pressure between the person and the source of injury
A worker being injured from vibration

This infographic provides an overview of the nonfatal trends involving days away from work, including nature of injury, part of body injured, and industry. Explore the data details tab for information on fatal injuries, injury rates, and historic trends.

See data details

492. Which of the following terms refers to injuries that occur when a person is caught betweenobjects, run over by a moving vehicle, or compressed by machinery?a) Crush injuriesCrush injuries are those that occur when a person is caught between objects, run over by amoving vehicle, or compressed by machinery.b) Blunt traumaBlunt trauma is commonly associated with extra-abdominal injuries to the chest, head, orextremities.c) Penetrating abdominal injuriesPenetrating abdominal injuries include those such as gunshot wounds and stab wounds.d) Intra-abdominal injuriesIntra-abdominal injuries are categorized as penetrating and blunt trauma.493. A person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoninga) appears intoxicated.A person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning appears intoxicated (from cerebralhypoxia). Other signs and symptoms include headache, muscular weakness, palpitation,

Each year, over 125,000 workers suffer crush injuries that occur when the body is caught or stuck between two objects, or entangled with machinery. Some refer to these hazards as “pinch points.” The physical force exerted upon the body caught in a pinch point can vary, causing injuries that range from mild bruising and scraping to amputated body parts, mangling, and even death.

Crush injuries are among the most serious injuries experienced by Maine workers. Workers injured in a pinch point may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits including payment of lost time, medical bills, and more.

Common Causes of Caught or Crushed Injuries

There are numerous causes of crush injuries in the workplace, including:

Being hit by a falling object, such as a large piece of equipment falling off scaffolding
Being pinned or struck between two objects, such as a piece of metal and a building or two motor vehicles
Being run over by machinery or equipment
The collapse of structures, such a buildings on construction sites
Limbs caught in machinery
Equipment or machinery tipping over, catching the employee
Defects in machinery

Crush injuries can occur in any industry, but most commonly happen in the manufacturing, production, and construction fields.

Injuries that Result From Being Crushed or Stuck Between Two Objects

When your body is crushed between two objects, muscle cells begin to die almost instantaneously. Three mechanisms within the body cause the cells to die: lysis, ischemia, and vascular compromise. Lysis refers to the immediate disruption of cells that occurs when a part of the body is crushed. The pressure exerted on the muscle cells from the crushing causes the cells to be ischemic, during which period they generate a large amount of lactic acid, leading to leaking cells. When stuck in a pinch point, one’s vessels are often compressed, cutting off blood flow to muscles and tissue, and resulting in cell death.

Crush victims can sustain any number of injuries including:

Damage to muscles
Damage to nerves
Damage to skin tissue
Compartment syndrome
Severing of limbs
The need for amputation of limbs
Broken bones
Paralysis
Organ damage
Death

The extent of the crush injury will depend upon the amount of force of the crush, the part of the body involved, and the length of time the person is stuck between two objects. It is often the extremities, hands, feet, legs, and arms, involved in a crush accident, but nearly any body part or the entire person can become trapped.

Obtaining Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Crush Injuries

Crush injuries frequently lead to severe disability, and have a high chance of additional complications, including infection, swelling, blood clots, phantom pain, the need for further amputation, and heart problems. Emotional consequences are also common, ranging from depression and anxiety to post traumatic stress disorder.

An experienced Maine workers’ compensation attorney can help you to obtain coverage for your medical bills, including those arising due to complications, psychological trauma, ongoing permanent disability, and more. Even if the accident was partially your fault, you can still receive full compensation.

Maine Employee Rights Group: Top Compensation for Employees With Crush Injuries

Experiencing a crush injury while on the job is a traumatic, painful, and frightening experience. Those workers who suffer such severe injuries deserve the top compensation allowed under Maine’s workers’ compensation system. At Maine Employee Rights Group, we will zealously fight for your recovery, navigating you through the insurance process towards a complete recovery, both physically and financially. We operate on a contingency fee basis and offer several convenient meeting locations. Call us today at 207.874.0905 to schedule an initial consultation.