Caught-in-between accidents are part of what is known as the “Fatal Four.” This category represents the most dangerous types of accidents in the construction industry that cause the most fatalities. Roughly 5% of construction fatalities each year are from caught-in-between accidents. For every worker who is killed, there are numerous others who suffer severe injuries.
These employees may be unable to work for an extended period of time, if they are ever able to work again.
Contact the experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Williams & Roche when you need a guide to the legal system and a fighter to stand up for your rights.
What Are Caught-in-Between Accidents?
Caught-in-between accidents are one of the most serious mishaps that can occur on a construction job site. If the injured worker survives the initial accident, they may be unable to work for an extended amount of time. Some injured workers may never be able to return to their jobs. Thus, the workers’ compensation benefits that you may be able to receive for a job-related injury are crucial. However, the insurance company may not see it that way because they may find a way to not compensate you for what you deserve.
Caught-in-between accidents are when a worker becomes trapped between two objects or surfaces. Caught-in-between accidents can include:
- Being pulled into or caught in machinery and equipment
- Being buried under rubble when a structure collapses
- Being pinned between a piece of machinery and the wall
- Being compressed or crushed between rolling, sliding, or shifting objects
Cave-ins are a significant danger on a construction site; the trenching may have been inadequate, and a wall may collapse. In some cases, the ground can collapse, pulling workers in and burying them under the dirt. These scenarios can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
Injuries from Caught-in-Between Accidents
Caught-in-between accident injuries can be extremely serious. The pressure of being trapped can permanently damage parts of your body, and they can even place your life in danger.
You may suffer the following injuries from a caught-in-between accident:
- Crushed, fractured, or broken bones
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (whether it is due to pressure on your head or loss of oxygen for a prolonged amount of time)
- Nerve damage
In some cases, one of your extremities may become irreparably injured. Emergency personnel may even be forced to amputate a limb on the scene to extract the injured worker from the caught-in-between situations. In some cases, the damage to your limbs may be so severe that the doctor must perform an immediate amputation to prevent the risk of infection.
Compartment syndrome is one extremely serious complication of a caught-in-between accident.
The amount of pressure on your muscles can be extreme and intense. When the pressure reaches dangerous levels, it can reduce blood flow to the muscles and the rest of your body. Crush syndrome can even cause renal failure in the short term.
How Employers Should Mitigate the Risks of a Caught-in-Between Accident
Both OSHA regulations and common sense dictate what steps employers should take to protect their workers from the risks of being caught-in-between accidents.
Employers should do the following to safeguard their employees’ well-being:
- Provide proper safeguards on equipment and ensure that it is inspected and well maintained
- Reinforce the trenching that holds up walls and the ground
- Provide employees with the proper training, so they can take measures to protect themselves
- Follow OSHA regulations on scaffolding to prevent a collapse
- Give workers adequate personal protective equipment to safely do their jobs
If employers fail to follow OSHA safety rules, the government can take enforcement action and fine them.
What to Do if You Have Been Injured in a Caught-in-Between Accident
If you have been injured in a caught-in-between accident, you should take the following steps:
- Report your injury to your employer immediately (you have 90 days to report the injury, but your employer also needs to choose a doctor for you to see).
- Visit the doctor designated by your employer and receive full treatment for your injury.
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to have them review your case and determine whether there is a third party you can sue.
- Gather documentation and evidence that can be used in case your claim is denied or challenged.
Since caught-in-between accidents can result in severe injuries, you may not be equipped to handle the claims process on your own; an experienced attorney can handle the details while you deal with your own medical situation and recovery.
What Can I Receive in Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Caught-in-Between Accident Injury?
Workers’ compensation Insurance should help keep you on your feet financially until you are able to work again. If you are permanently disabled, you may be able to receive weekly benefits for an extended amount of time, or a one-time lump sum settlement.
Workers’ compensation benefits can include the following:
- Two-thirds of the average weekly wages that you were earning before your injury, up to the amount of the statutory cap (which is the average weekly wage in South Carolina)
- Reasonable unnecessary medical expenses to treat your injury (These include doctors and hospital fees, as well as medical equipment and certain prescription medications.)
- Vocational training if you are unable to return to your job in your current condition and need to learn a new profession or how to perform new duties at your current job
- The family may receive a death benefit, which is 500 weeks of workers’ compensation benefits, when a loved one dies in a caught-in-between accident.
Contact a Columbia, SC Caught-in-Between Accident Workers’ Compensation Lawyer.
You can schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney at Williams & Roche. Our lawyers will review your case and explain your potential courses of action. We can help you file a claim, and we can represent you if you need to appeal the denial of your claim. To speak with an attorney, you can message us through our website, or you can call us today at 803.784.0503.