Caught-In or Between Work Accidents in Texas

Becoming entangled in machinery or crushed between heavy objects at work can cause catastrophic injuries, from torn muscles and broken bones to crushed or severed limbs. Such injuries are expensive to treat and can fundamentally alter your life, keeping you from doing your job or participating in your favorite activities. In the most severe cases, caught-in or caught-between work accidents can even be deadly.

Negligent employers or equipment manufacturers, who are often responsible for caught-in or caught-between work accidents in Texas, usually fight injured workers’ efforts to recover fair compensation. That is why you need an experienced Houston workplace accident attorney to pursue maximum compensation for you.

If you suffered injuries after being caught in or between hazards at your job in Texas, trust The Callahan Law Firm to stand up for you. We have represented injury victims and their families for over 30 years, fighting to level the playing field between our clients and the insurance companies. Our team includes a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer and a former insurance defense attorney, giving us the in-depth knowledge and experience to assert your rights.

Call us 24/7 at (713) 589-7767 or complete our online contact form for a risk-free case review. You will not owe us any fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our office is conveniently located at 440 Louisiana St #2050, Houston, TX. We can help!

How Common Are Caught-In or Between Accidents in Houston, TX, and What Causes Them?

The Texas Department of Insurance reports that caught-in or caught-between accidents account for about 5 percent of all construction worker deaths nationwide. However, caught-in or between accidents on the job are not unique to the construction industry. Manufacturing workers and others who use heavy machinery are also susceptible to being caught in or between heavy objects.

Common causes of workers being stuck in or caught between hazards at their jobs include:

Defective machinery or equipment – Malfunctions or design flaws can trap workers between moving parts or heavy components.
Lack of proper machine guards – Missing or inadequate guards on industrial equipment increase the risk of workers’ bodies being pulled into machinery.
Unsecured loads or materials – Stacked or improperly stored items can shift or collapse, pinning workers underneath or between heavy objects.
Sudden equipment movement – Unexpected machinery activation due to mechanical failure or power surges can catch workers off guard, leading to severe accidents.
Inadequate safety protocols – Poorly enforced lockout/tagout procedures can result in machinery turning on while workers are maintaining or cleaning heavy equipment.
Structural failures – Walls, scaffolding, or trenches can cave in and cause severe injuries.
Tight working spaces – Working in narrow or enclosed areas increases workers’ chances of becoming pinned between equipment or structures, particularly if employers do not provide proper training or implement adequate safety protocols.

Which Types of Objects Can Contribute to Caught-In or Between Accidents?

Some examples of objects or machinery that often contribute to caught-in or between accidents on the job include:

Heavy machinery and other equipment – Presses, conveyors, and similar industrial machines that malfunction or lack proper safeguards can trap or crush workers.
Vehicles and forklifts – Moving industrial vehicles can pin workers against equipment, walls, or other vehicles.
Falling materials – Stacked lumber, steel beams, or other heavy supplies can shift and trap workers underneath.
Collapsing structures – Walls, scaffolding, or trenches can shift or cave in and cause severe injuries.
Rotating parts – Gears, belts, and rollers on machinery and power tools without proper guards can pull in workers’ clothing or body parts and cause serious injuries.

Workplaces with High Risks of Caught-In or Between Hazard Accidents

Construction sites present a high risk for caught-in or between accidents due to the presence of heavy machinery, moving vehicles, and stacked materials. Furthermore, construction workers often operate in tight spaces where walls, scaffolding, and equipment can create dangerous pinch points. Other common activities on construction sites, such as trench work and demolition activities also increase the chances of being trapped or crushed.

Manufacturing and industrial facilities carry similar hazards, especially in plants where workers use large machines with moving parts. Inadequate machine guarding or improper lockout/tagout procedures can lead to workers becoming caught in equipment.

Warehouses and shipping centers are another common setting for caught-in and caught-between accidents. The frequent movements of forklifts, stacked pallets, and heavy cargo create many ways for workers to become pinned between objects or struck by shifting materials. These environments require strict safety measures to minimize the risk of caught-in or between injuries.

Who Is Responsible for Keeping You Safe from Caught-In and Between Hazards?

In Texas, employers are responsible for providing proper safety equipment and instituting adequate safety protocols to protect workers from caught-in and caught-between accidents. Equipment manufacturers must also make sure their products have a safe design and do not present any hazards that make these accidents more likely, such as a lack of proper guards.

Most states require all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance and do not let you sue an employer for workplace accidents. However, that is often not the case in Texas. That is because Texas does not require most private employers to provide workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer is a non-subscriber that does not carry workers’ comp insurance, you have the right to sue them for compensation if their negligence caused your injuries. This allows you to obtain the full amount of money damages available to you rather than the more limited damages available under workers’ compensation insurance programs.

To win your non-subscriber case, you must prove that your non-subscribing employer did not take reasonable steps to prevent the accident or that a co-worker was responsible for your injuries. Our lawyers can do the necessary investigation and help you make a persuasive argument, holding the responsible parties accountable.

You might also have grounds for a lawsuit against other liable parties. For instance, you could sue an equipment manufacturer if an accident happened because of a defective product or mechanical defect. You could also sue another party who caused or contributed to the accident, such as a careless driver who struck you with a construction vehicle.

Our attorneys are ready to analyze your case, identify who might be responsible for your injuries, and outline your legal options. If you have a valid claim, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses related to the accident.

How Our Law Firm Can Help After a Caught-In or Between Work Accident in Houston, TX

At The Callahan Law Firm, we know justice does not come easy and understand your struggles after a workplace accident. We routinely handle workplace injury cases that involve careless third parties (meaning people other than your employer) or companies that do not participate in the workers’ compensation system.

Our team can investigate the accident that hurt you, identify all the responsible parties, and build a strong case to hold them accountable for all your losses. Let us handle every legal step, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies or taking your case to court, if necessary.

Our goal is to help you pursue maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses related to your on-the-job injuries. That way, you can focus on healing and moving forward while we fight for your interests.

Call The Callahan Law Firm After a Caught-In or Between Work Accident

Do not miss your chance to pursue financial compensation after a workplace accident in Houston, TX. Call The Callahan Law Firm 24/7 at (713) 589-7767 or complete our contact form for a free consultation about your potential personal injury claim.