A Helpful Guide to Compensation for Construction Workers That Suffered Compartment Syndrome

Work Accident

Construction work can be stressful and dangerous, but it is one of the most easily available jobs in the American market that does not need extensive qualifications – just some basic training, understanding of the various safety protocols laid down by OSHA and the ability to work long hours as well as being physically fit may be all that’s needed to land a job in the construction industry. Construction workers come from all walks of life, and they range in age from individuals in their twenties to veteran workers in their sixties. Construction work injuries can be catastrophic, particularly due to the materials and environment associated with the job, and these injuries can be disabling or lead to early retirement from the job force in general.

Compartment syndrome refers to a type of injury caused by increased pressure building up within a confined space such as the lower leg, or the arms, hands and other body parts, compromising the flow of blood, thereby causing irreversible damage to tissue, nerves and muscles affected. It is important to note that OSHA has safety guidelines construction workers and their supervisors must follow, which means that any injury you sustain at construction sites are almost always due to breaching these safety guidelines, and are a mark of negligence. It is possible to file a construction worker injury lawsuit alleging negligence if you were a victim, but your best bet at recovering substantial compensation lies in retaining the services of a construction work injury attorney, and we’re here to help with that.

Are you looking for a best construction worker injury lawyer? The experienced catastrophic injury attorneys at McCready Law have for over two decades helped thousands of injured clients just like you get the compensation and justice they deserve after becoming victims of the negligent actions of others. Personal injury law gives you the opportunity to prove your case in order to recover money damages, money that will go a long way in helping you seek comprehensive treatment and surgery, access rehabilitation services, replace any lost wages and if permanently disabled, provide you with a sufficient amount of financial resources to help you adjust to your new normal.

We serve all injured construction workers countrywide, and we run a bilingual office (hablamos Espanol). At McCready Law, we aim to get the best possible outcome for all our clients, and this may mean litigating the case instead of settling with the insurance company, something that most law firms do not do due to either lack of resources or experience. Litigating usually recovers a larger compensation amount compared to insurance company negotiations. These cases are also handled on contingency fee basis, and what this means is that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES and no fees are levied for the duration of the case, as we only recover our legal fees once we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf, and only if we’ve won the case on your behalf. Please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to receive your 100% FREE legal consultation into construction work injury lawsuits anywhere in the country.

What Exactly is Compartment Syndrome and How Does It Occur?

Compartment syndrome happens when various fascia in the body are breached due to injury. The human body is divided into different compartments which are delineated by fascia, or tough, fibrous connective tissue which separates different muscle groups and structures. Within each fascia, you have nerves, muscles, blood vessels and other biological tissues. At homeostasis, the pressure within these fascia or compartments is low, which allows for proper blood flow and optimal functioning of tissues. However, an injury or occult condition which causes bleeding or swelling in the compartment may cause pressure to rise in a dramatic manner, compressing blood vessels and preventing blood from moving in and out of these compartments. This reduced flow of blood lowers oxygen and nutrient supply to these structures, and waste products are unable to move out of the affected areas.

Without proper and timely treatment, muscle, blood vessels, and nerves will start to die or be destroyed due to the increased blood pressure, thereby setting the stage for permanent injury and disability. Compartment syndrome is particularly prone to rapid progression and disability when it comes to nerve damage, and this can happen in just a matter of hours. It is for this reason that timely intervention and treatment is needed to prevent permanent disability.

Ways of Experiencing Compartment Syndrome

Construction workers may suffer compartment syndrome in a number of ways such as:

  1. Crush Injuries: The heavy machinery and building materials can lead to an increased risk of crush injury when they fall onto a construction worker’s leg or arm, trapping the affected limb. Due to the heaviness of these equipment or materials, getting them off the affected individual may take a while, and during this time, soft tissue damage and internal bleeding may ensue, leading to rapid swelling as well as pressure increase in the affected area.
  2. Fractures: A broken bone, especially in the lower leg may put a construction worker at risk of developing compartment syndrome due to the tissue damage and bleeding associated with such injuries. internal bleeding around the affected area can cause a buildup of fluid which in turn increases pressure, compromising blood and nutrient supply to tissues surrounding the fracture
  3. Overuse Injuries: The repetitive nature of construction work may put workers at risk for compartment syndrome due to the overexertion of the forearms or legs, leading to inflammation and microtrauma in the affected compartments. Overuse injuries may be mitigated by ensuring that workers get sufficient rest between shifts, and that those with injuries such as tennis elbow, shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome are given enough time to rest so these injuries do not morph into compartment syndrome.

Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome

Here are some of the most common symptoms of compartment syndrome:

  1. Severe, unrelenting pain: One of the hallmarks of compartment syndrome is pain that is not proportionate to the underlying injury. This pain is due to increased pressure within the compartment that is affected, which then puts incredible strain on tissues that are pain-sensitive, such as the nerves and muscles. Patients often describe this pain as being aching or throbbing, and pain medication does not help when it comes to its management
  2. A feeling of fullness and tightness: The affected limb may start to feel full or tight as pressure within the compartment rises due to tissue swelling as well as the inability of the compartment to manage the increased volume due to simple anatomy. In addition, patients will also complain that the area is either too tense or even rock hard to the touch.
  3. Tingling and numbness: Due to nerves being affected by the increased pressure within the compartment, tingling, numbness and other unusual sensations may be felt, with pins and needles and even complete numbness showing up in the affected part or limb. Left untreated, motor issues and even paralysis may develop which is why prompt medical intervention is needed
  4. Dusky or pale skin color: As blood flow reduces or completely stops in the affected compartment, skin color may change in order to reflect lack of blood supply. The patient may present with ashen, dusky or pale skin which is often a sign of poor or lack of oxygenation to the affected area on account of increased pressure impeding blood flow to the affected tissues
  5. Muscle weakness and inability to move: Construction workers with compartment syndrome may find that they are unable to move their toes, fingers or affected limbs due to impaired or complete stoppage of blood flow to muscles. A feeling of general weakness and fatigue usually follows this syndrome, and the individual may be unable to extend or flex the affected muscle, which is a sign of tissue necrosis.

Treating Compartment Syndrome in Construction Workers

Treating compartment syndrome in injured construction workers usually involves administration of IV fluids to control pain and inflammation, as well as elevating the affected limb or area to help the body drain fluids and toxic waste products which can help reduce swelling. If the condition has progressed, fasciotomy may be recommended, which is a surgical procedure where physicians make incisions into the fascia in order to release the pressure buildup. In addition, debridement, or the removal of dead or damaged tissue to prevent infection or other complications may be carried out, and wound management via dressing and ongoing wound care will promote healing.

Experienced, Countrywide Construction Worker Injury Attorneys – Call Us Today!

In order to have a valid construction site injury lawsuit, you must prove that the company or your supervisor had a duty of care to keep you safe, and that they breached this duty of care via a negligent act, and that this breach of duty was the proximate cause of your compartment syndrome complications. Lastly, you must prove that you suffered measurable, compensable damages such as lost wages, medical expenses and so on in order to be able to recover the same.

We understand that this may all seem confusing and you may not have the mental bandwidth to deal with the intricacies of the law as it relates to your injury, and it’s because of this that we’d like to ask that you give us a call at 312-444-0214 NOW so we can assess your claim and further advise on its viability and how much you may be able to recover. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to helping you.