Your first goal is medical care. The second is preserving what the insurance company will later use to accept—or deny—your claim.
In the first 24–72 hours, focus on:**
- Get evaluated and follow treatment. Even if symptoms seem “manageable,” crush injuries can worsen as swelling, nerve issues, or internal damage becomes clear.
- Document the scene and the equipment (if you can do so safely). Photos of the area, any guards or safety devices, and the general layout of the workspace can matter.
- Write down what you remember while it’s fresh. Include the sequence of events, who was present, what you were doing, and any warnings you heard.
- Keep every paperwork item you receive. That includes employer incident reports, work restrictions, discharge instructions, imaging reports, and follow-up schedules.
Why this matters in California: insurers often look for gaps—gaps in treatment, gaps in documentation, or inconsistencies between early statements and later medical findings. Getting organized early can help prevent avoidable misunderstandings.


