An injury of any kind is never a good thing. Crush injuries, in particular, have the potential to be incredibly serious. A crush injury occurs when excessive force is applied to your body. Depending on the extent of the crushing force, it can lead to various complications, including:
- Fractures;
- Broken bones;
- Asphyxiation;
- Muscle and other soft tissue damage;
- Organ damage and ruptures; and
- Internal hemorrhaging.
There are other concerns beyond the initial damage inflicting by the crushing. If an area of the body is compressed for too long, it can develop something known as Crush Syndrome. Crush Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose and is a serious issue, as it can cause severe injury or death if not treated promptly.
If you or someone you love has suffered a crush injury and a horrific accident, contact a Houston serious injury lawyer with The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Don’t let your medical expenses and suffering hang over your head; talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
Call (281) 283-8500 or reach out online for a free case evaluation.
Crush Injuries Can Cause Both External Damage and Internal
Crush injuries are usually inflicted by a significant pushing force. This means that the external damage can sometimes look severe. The real danger, however, lies in the potential internal damage crushing causes. Internal bleeding, organ damage, and muscle toxins are all issues that are not always visible to the naked eye. These injuries are very common in crushing cases. It is important to remember that there can still be a substantial internal crush injury, even if the skin has not been broken.
Where Do Crush Injuries Occur?
There are several places susceptible to crush injury accidents. Outside of maritime crush injuries, they are especially prevalent in any location or profession that utilizes large or heavy machinery.
Some of the most serious crush injuries occur:
- When working with animals, especially in a close or confined area;
- While moving or performing maintenance on heavy machinery;
- While logging, or cutting wood;
- When working with large or heavy materials, such as steel beams or cement blocks; and
- During natural disasters.
What is Crush Syndrome?
Crush Syndrome is a disorder that develops when one area of the body is under extreme compression for too long. This can cause your muscles to deteriorate, releasing toxins like lactic acid and nitric oxide. These toxins can then affect the function of other organs, potentially causing:
- Blood clots;
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Disruption of brain activity; and
- Metabolic acidosis (an increase in the acidity of your blood).
The longer the crushing force is applied, the more toxins are allowed to build up in the body. In addition to the issues the toxins cause themselves, they can also exacerbate other issues. For example, if you’re bleeding internally, that will only be complicated by the additional toxins being released by your muscles.
Be aware of the symptoms of crush syndrome, which include:
- Bruised and/or discolored skin (not necessarily broken);
- Rapid swelling after the crushing pressure is released;
- Excruciating pain after the crushing pressure is released; and
- Lack of or weak pulse.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Serious Injury Today
The medical expenses and other costs related to serious injuries like crush injuries can control your life. But, you have options to consider. For instance, if another’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to recover damages.
Contact The Krist Law Firm, P.C., right away. We can help assess whether or not you can recover damages. If so, we can help determine the best way to pursue your case. You shouldn’t have to worry about the legal matters surrounding your injury; you should just be able to focus on recovery.
Schedule a free case evaluation with a Houston attorney online, or by calling (281) 283-8500.