Chicago Crush Injury Attorney

Fighting for Maximum Compensation After Crush Injuries in Chicago

Our Chicago crush injury attorney team will fight hard for the rights of victims, ensuring they receive maximum compensation for these devastating injuries. We are a Super Lawyers® rated law firm with a 10/10 AVVO rating. Our attorneys have secured over $490 million in settlements across 5,000 successful cases. If someone else’s negligence caused serious crush injuries, call us today for a free consultation.

Crush Injury Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

• $11,000,000: This wrongful death settlement compensated the family of Bruce, who was crushed to death by a forklift.
• $3,599,000: Javier was cleaning an excavation site when he was crushed to death, resulting in this wrongful death settlement for his family.
• $840,000: Ryan, a railroad worker, suffered a crush injury to his foot.

Understanding Crush Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Complications

Serious crush injuries can result in extensive medical treatment and permanent disability. Symptoms of a crush injury include intense pain, bruising, numbness or tingling in the affected body part, reduced blood flow, and difficulty moving the limb.

One of the most dangerous complications is crush syndrome, which is when muscles break down and release harmful substances into blood vessels and internal organs. In severe cases, the person may go into shock and pass away. Vasoconstriction can also result in tissue death and nerve damage.

Leading causes of crush injuries include car accidents and construction site accidents.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

There were 101,023 motor vehicle accidents in Chicago in 2023, including 249 fatalities. Semi-truck accidents or car accidents with SUVs may result in victims being pinned in their cars or crushed under wreckage, while with pedestrian accidents, the victim may be trapped underneath the vehicle.

Construction Site Accidents

In 2023, construction accidents accounted for over 23% of all fatal work accidents. Construction sites are incredibly dangerous, with heavy objects and powerful machinery. Falling objects may result in crush injuries, or workers may become pinned between two machines.

What Damages Can Crush Injury Victims Recover in Illinois?

Crush injury victims may be eligible for both economic and non-economic compensation. These include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Future lost income
• Property damage
• Burial expenses for wrongful death
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What Is the Average Crush Injury Payout in Chicago?

The average crush injury settlement in Illinois is $7,548,176. Your settlement will be impacted by injury severity, insurance limits, and the strength of the evidence.

Example Crush Injury Cases in Chicago

In 2017, a worker suffered a catastrophic crush injury after being trapped under steel tubing while unloading a trailer. These heavy objects resulted in hypovolemic shock, paralysis, and eventual amputation. He was awarded $95,477,464.00 in a jury verdict.

Who is Liable for a Crush Injury in a Chicago Accident?

Our attorneys will pursue compensation from all liable parties, which often includes the following.

Negligent Party: The person responsible for your crush injury is typically the first defendant. For car or truck accidents, this would be the driver, while construction site accidents may involve another worker.

Companies: If the negligent party was working for their employer at the time of the accident, their employer may be liable.

Manufacturers: Defective machinery may result in crush injuries, implicating the manufacturer.

Property Owners: If heavy objects or falling materials caused your crush injury, our attorneys can pursue a premises liability case.

Illinois Laws and Deadlines for Filing a Crush Injury Lawsuit

In most cases, you have two years to file a crush injury lawsuit after the accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). There may be longer timelines if the victim was incapacitated after the accident, such as being placed in a medically induced coma. In these instances, the statute of limitations is tolled, or paused, until they are able to file.

Unlike some other states, Illinois does not have a cap on non-economic damages that victims can claim. In the Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb, the court ruled that damage caps are unconstitutional.

Common Defenses in Crush Injury Cases

Assumption of Risk: Defendants may insist that the victim was aware they were engaging in a risky activity like working in construction or driving a car. We can demonstrate that a crush injury is not a foreseeable risk from this activity.

Contributory Negligence: Defendants may insist that you were primarily to blame for the crush injury. We will use evidence, such as witness statements, to show that the defendant is principally liable.

No Duty of Care: To prove negligence, you must show that the other party had a duty to act safely around you, preventing injuries. The defense may claim that you had no preexisting relationship with them and that they were not responsible for you. We will use Illinois law to demonstrate that they had a duty of care in your specific circumstance.

Preexisting Conditions: While a crush injury typically is due a traumatic event, the insurance company may try to claim that you would not have suffered a permanent disability if you didn’t have preexisting conditions. We will use medical records to demonstrate that this claim is unfounded.

How to Strengthen Your Claim

To improve your chances of earning compensation, follow these steps as soon as possible:

• Report the accident to the police and ask for medical treatment.
• Visit an emergency room, such as UChicago Medicine, as quickly as possible.
• If you were injured at work, report the accident to your supervisor.
• Document the accident scene and gather witness contact information.
• Keep records of your medical costs, treatments, and recovery process.
• Do not speak to third parties without your injury lawyer present.
• Consult with a crush injury lawyer to learn about your legal options.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Chicago Crush Injury Attorney

Our top-rated personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for you. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we earn you compensation. To schedule your free consultation with an award-winning attorney, contact us today!