If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 immediately for anyone pinned or crushed, even if they say they are fine. Crush injuries can become dangerous after release.
- 2Have the driver stop, set the brakes and shut off the engine. Do not let the truck pull away from the dock until responders say it is safe.
- 3Keep the injured person still and calm, and do not give them food or drink. Follow the dispatcher's instructions.
- 4Have a coworker notify your supervisor or dock lead right away.
- 5Write down or photograph the truck and trailer numbers, the carrier name on the door, the driver's name and the dock door number.
- 6Note whether the dock lock, wheel chocks, lights or signals were in use.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Dock crushes often happen when a trailer creeps or rolls back, a driver pulls away early or backs in while someone is between the truck and the dock, or a dock plate fails. Because the driver and truck often belong to a different company, these incidents frequently involve more than one insurer. Workers who guide trucks in, check seals, or step between the trailer and dock to adjust a dock plate are often the ones caught.
Your workers' compensation claim generally goes through your own employer. A separate claim involving the carrier or driver may also be possible, depending on your state and the facts. Ask questions before giving statements to any insurer, including the trucking company's.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state, and claims involving another company can have their own timelines. Contact your state's workers' compensation agency early, even while you are still in treatment. A family member can help make calls.
Ask your employer to keep the dock camera footage, dock lock logs and the bill of lading for that load. Keep copies of police or incident reports, photos and all medical records.
Getting medical care
Crush injuries can involve broken bones, internal injuries and damage to muscles and blood flow that may need close monitoring. Emergency teams decide what is needed first, and follow-up may involve orthopedics, imaging and hand or limb specialists. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation. Tell the care team how long you were pinned and which parts of your body were trapped, if you know.
Tell every provider the injury happened at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see for follow-up care, so ask the adjuster before switching.
Ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery can be very helpful during a long recovery.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- A driver or carrier from another company caused or contributed to the crush.
- You have fractures, internal injuries or lasting damage.
- Dock safety equipment failed, which may involve a manufacturer or maintenance company.
- Multiple insurers are calling and asking for statements.
- You cannot return to dock or warehouse work.
- Your claim is denied or delayed during a long recovery.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Recovery from a crush injury can involve hospital care, surgery or therapy and a long period away from heavy work. Follow your care plan closely and keep a written record of appointments and how you are doing.
When you are ready to talk about returning, ask your clinician for clear written restrictions. Share them with your employer and ask what modified tasks exist. If going back to the dock feels frightening, tell your clinician; that is a common reaction.
Keep the workers' comp claim and any claim involving the carrier organized separately. Stay in touch with your adjuster, and write down every call.
Questions to ask
- Can the dock camera footage and dock lock records be saved?
- Which carrier and driver were involved, and how do I get their information?
- What is my claim number and who is my adjuster?
- Doctor, what signs of complications should I watch for after a crush injury?
- What does recovery look like, and when will we talk about work?
- Pharmacist or adjuster, how do I fill work-injury prescriptions, and is home delivery an option?
- Attorney, can I have a claim against the trucking company as well as workers' comp?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I was pinned between a truck and a loading dock?
Call 911 right away, even if you can walk, because crush injuries can be serious. Make sure the truck does not move until responders say it is safe. Report it in writing once you are being cared for.
Why do crush injuries need emergency care even if I feel okay?
Crush injuries can cause internal problems that are not obvious at first. Only a clinician can evaluate them. Getting care quickly is important.
Is a loading dock crush injury covered by workers' comp?
Injuries on the job at a loading dock are generally the kind of event workers' comp addresses, depending on your state. Report it promptly. Ask your state's agency how it works.
Can I file a claim against the truck driver's company?
In some situations, yes, there may be a third-party claim in addition to workers' comp. How the two interact varies by state. Many people talk with an attorney about this.
What records help after a dock accident?
Truck and trailer numbers, the carrier name, the driver's name, dock camera footage and incident reports all help. Ask your employer to preserve footage. Keep your medical records together.
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurer?
You may want to ask questions first before giving any statement. Many people speak with an attorney before talking with another company's insurer. Keep notes of every call.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).