When a crush injury happens, your safest move is to act fast—both medically and legally.
- Get emergency care immediately if there’s severe pain, numbness/tingling, visible deformity, restricted movement, or swelling that’s worsening.
- Report the incident right away to a supervisor/employer (and request a copy of the incident report if you can).
- Document the scene if you’re able and it’s safe: equipment involved, location in the facility, guards/covers, lockout/tagout conditions, and any barriers or warnings.
- Keep your work restrictions and follow them. In California, insurers often look closely at whether medical advice and work status changes were consistent.
If you’re dealing with pressure to “just give a statement,” don’t treat that as routine. In Riverside workplaces, early recorded statements are commonly used to narrow liability and challenge the severity or timeline of injuries.


