I had this happen to a user where I work.
Check your Printer Drivers. If you are using a network printer --diconnect your connection and then reconnect it.
If you are using a local printer, uninstall it. Open Word to see if it crashes. Then reinstall the printer using the original manufacturers installtion disk/drivers.
Word checks for a printer, if it doesn't find it -- it close with an unhelpful "send error report to Microsoft". Geez.
As a recommendation, never update your printer drivers. Its not worth the hassle.
