After a caught-between or pinning accident, the first goal is safety and medical documentation. The second goal is making sure your case can be proven later.
- Get medical care immediately (even if you think you’ll “walk it off”). Document symptoms and functional limits.
- Report the incident through the proper channel if it happened at work or on a job site.
- Write down the details while they’re fresh: what equipment was involved, where the incident occurred, who was present, and what safety steps were (or weren’t) followed.
- Save photos/video of the scene if you can do so safely—condition of guards, access points, warnings, and the surrounding area.
- Avoid recorded statements without legal review. Insurers and defense teams may ask questions that become difficult to unwind.
In California, insurance and workers’ compensation processes can move quickly. Early missteps—like delayed treatment or inconsistent statements—can hurt credibility.


