diff --git a/fastembed/parallel_processor.py b/fastembed/parallel_processor.py
index 4f2973aa..416e481e 100644
--- a/fastembed/parallel_processor.py
+++ b/fastembed/parallel_processor.py
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ def semi_ordered_map(
                         out_item = None
                 else:
                     try:
-                        out_item = self.output_queue.get(timeout=processing_timeout)
+                        out_item = self._get_output()
                     except Empty as e:
                         self.join_or_terminate()
                         raise e
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ def semi_ordered_map(
 
             while read < pushed:
                 self.check_worker_health()
-                out_item = self.output_queue.get(timeout=processing_timeout)
+                out_item = self._get_output()
                 if out_item == QueueSignals.error:
                     self.join_or_terminate()
                     raise RuntimeError("Thread unexpectedly terminated")
@@ -232,6 +232,19 @@ def semi_ordered_map(
                 self.input_queue.join_thread()
                 self.output_queue.join_thread()
 
+    def _get_output(self) -> Any:
+        """Wait for output, checking worker health without resetting the overall timeout."""
+        assert self.output_queue is not None, "Output queue was not initialized"
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + processing_timeout
+        while True:
+            remaining = max(0.0, deadline - time.monotonic())
+            try:
+                return self.output_queue.get(timeout=min(1.0, remaining))
+            except Empty:
+                self.check_worker_health()
+                if time.monotonic() >= deadline:
+                    raise
+
     def check_worker_health(self) -> None:
         """
         Checks if any worker process has terminated unexpectedly
diff --git a/tests/test_worker_crash_wait.py b/tests/test_worker_crash_wait.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8ea3941c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_worker_crash_wait.py
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+import os
+import time
+from multiprocessing import get_all_start_methods
+from pathlib import Path
+from queue import Empty
+
+import pytest
+
+import fastembed.parallel_processor as processor
+from fastembed.parallel_processor import ParallelWorkerPool, Worker
+
+
+class ControlledWorker(Worker):
+    @classmethod
+    def start(cls, marker, crash=False, delay=0, **kwargs):
+        worker = cls()
+        worker.marker = marker
+        worker.crash = crash
+        worker.delay = delay
+        return worker
+
+    def process(self, items):
+        for item in items:
+            deadline = time.monotonic() + 30
+            while not Path(self.marker).exists():
+                if time.monotonic() >= deadline:
+                    raise RuntimeError("Parent did not reach its result wait")
+                time.sleep(0.01)
+            if self.crash:
+                os._exit(23)
+            time.sleep(self.delay)
+            yield item
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def make_pool(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    workers = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(processor, "max_internal_batch_size", 1)
+
+    def create(start_method="spawn"):
+        marker = tmp_path / "waiting"
+        pool = ParallelWorkerPool(1, ControlledWorker, start_method=start_method)
+        original_start = pool.start
+
+        def start(**kwargs):
+            original_start(marker=str(marker), **kwargs)
+            workers.extend(pool.processes)
+            queue = pool.output_queue
+            assert queue is not None
+            original_get = queue.get
+
+            def get(block=True, timeout=None):
+                if block and timeout is not None:
+                    marker.touch()
+                return original_get(block=block, timeout=timeout)
+
+            monkeypatch.setattr(queue, "get", get)
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr(pool, "start", start)
+        return pool
+
+    yield create
+    for worker in workers:
+        if worker.is_alive():
+            worker.kill()
+        worker.join(timeout=5)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "start_method",
+    [method for method in ("spawn", "forkserver") if method in get_all_start_methods()],
+)
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("backpressure", [False, True])
+def test_worker_crash_during_result_wait(make_pool, monkeypatch, start_method, backpressure):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(processor, "processing_timeout", 10)
+    pool = make_pool(start_method)
+    # A second item fills the input window, exercising the backpressure read rather than the drain.
+    items = range(2 if backpressure else 1)
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="terminated unexpectedly with code 23"):
+        list(pool.ordered_map(items, crash=True))
+    assert pool.processes == []
+
+
+def test_healthy_worker_can_finish_after_a_poll(make_pool, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(processor, "processing_timeout", 10)
+    pool = make_pool()
+    assert list(pool.ordered_map([7], delay=1.2)) == [7]
+    assert pool.processes == []
+
+
+def test_healthy_worker_keeps_the_overall_timeout(make_pool, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(processor, "processing_timeout", 1.2)
+    pool = make_pool()
+    with pytest.raises(Empty):
+        list(pool.ordered_map([7], delay=5))
+    assert pool.processes == []