Olympia Workplace Crush Injury Attorney

Complications from a Crush Injury in Olympia

For workers in industries where heavy objects are present, crush injuries are more common. They involve force or pressure put on a body part, crushing it and causing damage to various body structures. A crush injury may cause various symptoms and complications like those listed below.

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Fractures
• Lacerations
• Secondary infections
• Nerve injuries
• Serious muscle, blood vessel and tissue injuries (compartment syndrome)

Of the damages listed above, nerve injuries, serious infections, compartment syndrome and fractures are often the most serious. These injuries may cause permanent impairment for a worker, rendering the worker disabled for the remainder of his or her life in severe cases. Often, these injuries are often associated with high medical bills.

Crush Injuries and Workers’ Compensation in Olympia

In the state of Washington, workers who sustain an injury on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills related to the work injury and replaces a portion of the worker’s lost wages. When a worker sustains a permanent disability from a workplace injury, though, the benefits are slightly different.

For workers who have either lost the use of two or more of their limbs or have suffered an injury that prevents them from being gainfully employed, permanent disability benefits (pension benefits) are available.

A pension is paid in the form of a monthly benefit amount and must be updated once per year via the “Declaration of Entitlement” form provided by the Department. If the form is filled out truthfully and in full, then the benefits are available to a person throughout the duration of his or her permanent disability. Keep in mind that medical coverage may not be available once the pension goes into effect, except in cases where treatment is required to protect the worker’s life.