If your leg is crushed by heavy machinery while on the job, you may not know what you can do next. Life may be confusing and a severe injury can leave you scared about your future. If your injury leaves you unable to work, can you afford to support and take care of your family? What about your leg? Will you be able to get the medical care, therapies, or surgeries you may need? If you file a workers’ compensation claim, you may be able to get the medical care that you need for your injury. The Basics of Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation insurance policies are required by each state and most employers are mandated to provide it for their employees. It’s provided to employees at no cost as a way to help protect them from being financially devastated if they are hurt on the job. If your leg is crushed as a result of operating heavy machinery on the job, you will need immediate emergency medical attention – call 911. Your supervisor should be notified right away. After you’ve gotten emergency medical care, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim right away. It can help provide you with free medical care, surgery, lab work, medical equipment, therapy, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments that you may need as a result of your injury. Another benefit of workers’ compensation is that you may be provided with a portion of your lost wages if you are unable to work. There are workers’ compensation guidelines in place that can assist you with temporary or permanent disability compensation. Crushed Leg While Operating Heavy Machinery A leg crushed by heavy machinery may not only break the bones or dislocate joints. It can cause severe damage to your foot, leg, knee, tissues, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. This type of injury may result in temporary or permanent loss of function or use of your leg. Often, a crushed leg may require extensive surgery or even amputation. Amputation may require the need for a prosthetic. These surgeries can be very expensive and require a specialist. In these cases, workers who sustain such a severe injury may not be able to work. Workers’ compensation can give you access to medical care and other potential benefits. Benefits of Worker’s Compensation If you have a crushed leg as a result of operating heavy machinery, workers’ compensation may provide you with several benefits that can help you. It may help with medical expenses that may include medicine, wheel chair, therapy, surgeries, prosthetics, and any other necessary medical treatment. Lost wages. You may be left unable to work temporarily or even permanently because of a crushed leg. You may be able to receive a portion of your lost wages. Whether or not you’ll qualify for lost wages and for how long you receive payments is determined by workers’ compensation guidelines. Job training. If you are unable to continue working in your field due to your crushed leg, you may qualify for occupational training through workers’ compensation. It can help you to develop valuable skills in a new field to help you get back to work. Learn About Your Rights Under the Law If your leg is crushed by heavy mechanical machinery while on the job, you should consider speaking an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. You have rights, and an attorney can answer any questions you may have. Do not sign any documents without consulting a lawyer. You may sign your rights away without even knowing it. Additional Resources Del Monte Foods
