Crush injuries can have devastating, potentially life-altering consequences. When these injuries happen at work, many people assume that workers’ compensation claims are the only option. However, many Texas companies opt out of the workers’ compensation system, which allows them to be sued by their employees for damages.
If you have suffered a crush injury, Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP is here to help. Our skilled work injury attorneys can advise you of your rights and help you seek the justice you deserve. Before accepting a settlement offer, talk things through with a Spring, TX crush injury lawyer.
What Are Common Causes of Crush Accidents?
Crush accidents happen when part of the body is caught between two objects or compressed by a heavy force. These injuries are common in industrial, construction, and warehouse settings where large vehicles and heavy machinery are common. Our Spring, TX attorneys can take on crush injury claims from the following circumstances.
Heavy Machinery Accidents
Workers can be pinned by forklifts, presses, conveyors, or other industrial equipment. These accidents might involve defects in the machinery, or the accident could occur because of poor training.
Caught-Between Accidents
These accidents occur when a worker is trapped between moving objects or between a fixed surface and equipment. This includes being caught between vehicles, walls, or loading docks.
Falling Objects
Some crush injury accidents happen when a heavy object falls from a great height, striking a person standing below. When a worker is struck and pinned, the force can cause serious crush injuries.
Crush Injuries and Non-Subscriber Lawsuits
Texas allows employers to opt out of workers’ compensation coverage, and injured employees can sue these non-subscribers when they are hurt on the job. Our Spring crush injury attorneys can take the lead on your civil suit.
Non-subscriber claims offer injured workers broader options for recovery compared to workers’ compensation claims. Instead of receiving limited benefits, you can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term disability.
Crush injuries frequently occur due to the carelessness or negligence of an employer. You have the opportunity to hold your employer accountable for their negligence through a non-subscriber lawsuit.
The Statute of Limitations for Crush Injury Lawsuits
In Texas, strict deadlines known as the statute of limitations apply to crush injury lawsuits. For most non-subscriber workplace injury claims, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against your employer. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, no matter how serious your injuries may be.
Non-subscriber claims follow standard Texas personal injury rules, not workers’ compensation timelines. That means the clock usually starts running on the day the crush accident occurs. There are some limited situations where the deadline could be extended, but it is a good idea to avoid any delays when seeking out a lawyer following a crush injury.
These injuries often involve complex medical care and extended recovery periods. If you wait too long to act, you not only are at risk of violating the statute of limitations, but you also make it harder for your attorney to obtain evidence to support your claim.
Talk to a Spring, TX Crush Injury Attorney Today
If you are living with the consequences of a work-related crush injury, it is important that you explore your legal options as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm understands how to hold employers responsible for these accidents, and we can put our experience to work in your case. Reach out to a Spring crush injury lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss your situation.
