In Arizona, early steps can affect how well your claim holds up with insurers and employers. If you can, focus on:
- Get medical care immediately and keep follow-up appointments. Crush injuries can worsen as swelling goes down.
- Write down the sequence of events while it’s fresh: what you were doing, where you were positioned, what equipment was operating, and who was nearby.
- Request the incident report and keep copies of everything you receive from HR, supervisors, or safety staff.
- Preserve evidence: photos of the area, equipment condition, any visible guard issues, lockout/tagout problems, or damaged parts (only if it’s safe to do so).
- Be careful with statements. If you’re asked to give a recorded or written statement, ask for review first—what sounds “helpful” can later be used to minimize the injury.
If you’re dealing with an employer response like “it was nobody’s fault” or “you’re fine to return to work,” that’s often when you need legal guidance most.


