Your workplace can potentially be dangerous, with many hazards that could potentially result in
a life-changing employee injury. While most are familiar with slip and fall injuries or repetitive
motion injuries, there are other types of dangers, including being caught in and caught between
hazards.
What are caught-in or caught-between hazards? As the name suggests, these refer to accidents
that cause a person’s body, limbs, hands, fingers, etc. to be caught in or compressed by
equipment or objects. The worker, or part of them, may be crushed between two objects.
These accidents can occur in a range of ways. Let’s look at a few examples to understand
better how these accidents occur.
One example scenario would be construction workers working in the basement of a building. If a
cave-in happened, this would be classified as a caught-in type of accident. The cave-in could
crush or suffocate workers, and countless problems could arise with an excavation.
What Does Workers’ Comp Do?
Workers’ comp protects employees who have suffered injuries in the workplace. These laws
didn’t exist in the United States’ earliest years, but between 1911 and 1948, states adopted laws
regarding workers’ compensation. These laws provide workers with various types of benefits in
case they were injured on the job, regardless of fault or the circumstances of the injury. Workers
would receive lost wages and medical bills, for example.
However, there are some instances where the injured worker could file a civil suit against a third
party, except for a coworker. This scenario may happen if the third party was negligent, and it
was that negligence that caused the accident to occur. This third-party claim would be for
compensation in addition to the workers’ comp claim. One of the common types of third-party
injury claims would involve negligence that caused a piece of machinery to fail. Of course, it is
not always easy to determine who is liable in these cases, and it is always better to work with an
attorney.
How Do Caught-In or Compressed by Equipment or Objects Accidents Could Occur in
the Workplace
They might be due to cave-in at a construction site, a mining facility, or many other types of
buildings. It could happen by getting caught by and pulled into machinery. A piece of clothing or
tie might get caught in gears or pull a hand into a press. Whenever there are objects that slide,
shift, and roll, it’s possible to get caught up in those objects.
Types of Injuries in the Caught-In or Compressed by Equipment or Objects Category
Below, you’ll see some of the various types of injuries that can occur from these types of injuries.
- Strangulation from clothing being caught in running equipment and machinery
- Amputation of a limb or body part
- Fractures and broken bones
- Being asphyxiated
- Various internal injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Bruises, cuts, and abrasions
The severity of these injuries can vary substantially. In some cases, the injuries will be minor,
and the worker might have a few cuts and bruises. However, the nature of these hazards tends
to make them more severe. Loss of limb and life could occur.
What Is My Employer Required to Do to Protect Workers from Caught In or Caught
Between Hazards?
Employers are supposed to provide workers with a safe workplace free from hazards and must
comply with all of the regulations that OSHA outlines, which means that workplace conditions
must meet OSHA standards.
Employers must provide employees with tools and equipment that are properly maintained and ensure employees are aware of potential hazards. This means posting signs and labels for hazards. The proper operating procedures must be communicated to workers, and all workers must be fully trained. Training and education help reduce the risk of hazards, but they can’t eliminate them from many jobs. Sometimes, an accident will still occur, and this means you need to contact an attorney.
When Is a Third Party Liable for a Workplace Injuries Resulting from Being Caught-In or Compressed by Equipment?
You need to determine whether there is a liability and where that liability lies. Third-party claims
can occur when the at-fault party does not work for the employer. In the case of faulty
equipment, for example, this would include the manufacturer. They would be the third party that
would be considered at fault, and it could be possible to file a lawsuit against them. It is crucial
to remember that both the employer and the manufacturer can be held liable. Of course,
determining liability can be difficult, so you’ll want to have an attorney on your side.
Have You Been Injured?
If you or a loved one have been injured due to one of these types of hazards, you might be able
to receive compensation beyond just workers’ compensation. Get in touch with Trammell Piazza
Law Firm today to set up a free consultation. We can talk about your case and learn the details
of the injury to get a better idea of who was at fault. Let’s see what we can do for you.