After a machinery or workplace compression injury, the choices you make early can determine what an insurer later accepts.
Prioritize these steps:
- Get medical care right away (even if symptoms seem “manageable”). Documenting the injury in the first days matters.
- Request the incident report number and keep copies of anything your employer gives you.
- Write down what happened while it’s fresh: the equipment involved, where you were standing, what you were doing, and who was nearby.
- Preserve evidence if you can do so safely—photos of equipment condition, guards, lockout/tagout tags, or the area where you were pinned.
- Be careful with statements. In many workplace cases, early comments can be used to suggest the injury was “your fault” or that it was minor.
If you’re unsure what you should say, a quick consultation can help you avoid accidental admissions and keep your case on track.


