Caught-In and Caught-Between Accidents on Texas Construction Sites

When Machinery Traps or Crushes a Worker

Caught-in and caught-between accidents are the fourth member of OSHA’s Fatal Four — the categories of construction accidents responsible for the majority of worker deaths. A worker whose clothing is caught in rotating machinery, whose body is pinned between a vehicle and a wall, or whose hand enters an unguarded machine is facing injuries that can include amputations, crush injuries, and death. Every San Antonio construction accident lawyer at Carabin Shaw has represented workers in these cases, and the injuries are among the most severe they see.

These accidents happen because machine guards are removed for convenience, because workers are not trained on the hazards of the equipment they operate, and because employers prioritize production speed over the safety measures that would prevent them. Every caught-in and caught-between accident on a Texas job site is a failure of employer responsibility.

Video Transcript

I’m Jamie Shaw with Carabin Shaw. Hurt at work in Texas? Your path depends on one thing — does your employer carry workers’ comp? Texas is unusual. Employers aren’t required to. If they have it, you file a comp claim. If they don’t — what’s called a non-subscriber — you may be able to sue them directly, sometimes for more. And if someone other than your employer caused your injury, a defective machine or a contractor, you may have a separate third-party claim. Most injured workers never learn they had options. Find out yours. Call Carabin Shaw in San Antonio. 210-222-2288.

Common Scenarios in Caught-In and Caught-Between Accidents

Unguarded Rotating Equipment

Augers, drill bits, mixers, and other rotating machinery can catch loose clothing, gloves, or hair and pull a worker’s limb into the machine before they can react. OSHA requires machine guards on all rotating parts that workers can contact during normal operation. When those guards are removed — often because they slow down the work — the machine becomes a trap.

Pinned Between Vehicles and Fixed Objects

Workers who are on foot near heavy equipment are at risk of being pinned between a moving vehicle and a wall, a pile of materials, or another piece of equipment. These accidents frequently occur when vehicles back up in areas where workers are present without spotters, barriers, or audible warning systems.

Caught in Trenches and Excavations

Trench collapses can bury workers under tons of soil, creating a caught-in scenario where the worker is trapped and cannot be reached quickly. OSHA’s excavation standards require protective systems for any trench deeper than five feet, but these requirements are routinely ignored on job sites where supervisors believe the trench will only be open for a short time.

Caught in Conveyor Systems and Material Handling Equipment

Conveyor belts, hoists, and material handling equipment have pinch points where a worker’s hand or clothing can be drawn into the mechanism. These pinch points must be guarded, and workers must be trained to keep clear of them during operation. When training is inadequate and guards are absent, the results are catastrophic.

Liability in Caught-In and Caught-Between Cases

These cases typically involve the employer who failed to maintain machine guards or provide adequate training, the general contractor who failed to enforce safety standards across the site, and in many cases the equipment manufacturer whose machine lacked adequate guarding or whose design created an unreasonable hazard. Texas product liability law allows injured workers to pursue manufacturers directly when a machine’s design or manufacturing defect contributed to the injury.

Workers’ compensation may cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but it does not compensate for the full extent of the harm caused by a catastrophic amputation or crush injury. When third parties contributed to the accident, a personal injury claim can recover pain and suffering, full lost earning capacity, and the cost of future medical care and prosthetics.

The Immediate Steps That Protect Your Case

After a caught-in or caught-between accident, the machine involved is the most important piece of evidence in the case. Employers and equipment manufacturers will want to inspect, repair, or dispose of the machine as quickly as possible. Carabin Shaw issues immediate legal hold notices to prevent this from happening, and retains mechanical engineers who can examine the machine and document exactly what guard was missing, what design defect was present, or what maintenance failure occurred.

Witness statements, OSHA inspection records, the employer’s training logs, and the machine’s maintenance history are all critical pieces of evidence that must be secured before they disappear. The firm moves on all of these fronts simultaneously from the moment a client calls.

Call Carabin Shaw After a Caught-In Accident

If you were caught in or between machinery on a Texas construction site and suffered serious injuries, Carabin Shaw is ready to fight for you. The firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless we recover for you.

Call (800) 862-1260 for a free consultation, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.