What you do in the first hours matters—especially when evidence is controlled by an employer or facility.
- Get medical care right away (even if pain feels “manageable”). Crush injuries can worsen after swelling, nerve involvement, or internal damage becomes clear.
- Report the incident promptly to your supervisor/employer or property manager and request the official incident report number.
- Document what you can safely document: photos of the area, equipment condition, signage/guards, and any visible violations.
- Write down the timeline while it’s fresh—what you were doing, how the equipment or structure was positioned, who was present, and what safety steps were (or weren’t) followed.
- Be careful with recorded statements. In Washington, early statements can later be used by insurers to limit causation or dispute severity.
If you’re dealing with a fast-moving insurer or employer, you don’t have to handle it alone. A Mukilteo crush injury lawyer can help you respond strategically.


