Many workplaces use forklifts for a number of purposes including unloading trucks, placing stock on high shelves and moving merchandise from one area to another. Training is an important aspect of forklift operation but even with the best of training, thousands of accidents occur annually as a result of a forklift accident. When you are injured because someone was poorly trained or a unit was poorly maintained, a lawyer can help you recover financially and ensure you get the medical care that is necessary for a full recovery.
Types of Forklift Accidents
Forklifts may be a convenient tool to have in warehouses, on construction sites and even in supermarkets to unload supplies from large delivery trucks. However, the types of accidents that can occur may surprise you. As a forklift accident lawyer, I have helped victims and their families after accidents caused by:
Forklift rollovers
While a forklift may seem like a fairly stable piece of equipment, there are cases where a heavy load may cause a rollover. In addition, when using a forklift to remove goods from a truck, a truck driver could pull away from the loading dock causing a rollover.
Poor driving accidents
Forklifts must be operated at safe speeds and should not be used for horseplay. Unfortunately, there are instances where a forklift operator is driving too quickly, fails to use proper backup signals or even fails to park a forklift properly. Operators who are not properly trained may not understand how to avoid accidents.
Workplace design issues
In some facilities the layout is not conducive to safe operation of a forklift. For example, if aisles are too narrow, the forklift can get caught on a shelf or other obstruction and tip over. Loading dock conditions, improper lighting and loud noises that can overwhelm the alarms on a forklift used to warn pedestrians
Mechanical issues
As with any other piece of equipment that is used regularly in a workplace, a forklift must be properly maintained. Just like an automobile, tires must be properly inflated, brakes must be well maintained and the clutch and other mechanical parts must be properly serviced.
Victims of Forklift Accidents Suffer
Because of the sheer size of a forklift, chances are that victims are going to suffer serious injuries. In the event someone is trapped under a forklift, there is a significant chance the victim will lose their life and if not, they are likely to suffer very significant crushing injuries. When a load falls from a forklift, the injuries could be relatively minor such as a broken bone, but more likely victims are going to suffer head and neck trauma, shoulder injuries and could suffer long-term injuries such as paralysis. When you work with a forklift accident lawyer, they can help you determine the best way to proceed with a lawsuit when someone else is at fault for the accident.
Establishing Fault in a Forklift Accident
A construction accident lawyer will need to know exactly how the accident occurred. For example, did the operator of the unit properly signal either by mechanical alarm, verbal alarm or hand signals they were turning the forklift. If the forklift malfunctioned we will have to establish when the unit was serviced and what precautions were taken to ensure the unit was in good working order. Keep in mind, a forklift accident lawyer will need to demonstrate who was at fault for the accident so they know who was at fault and who should be held accountable. In some cases, the forklift operator, your employer, the manufacturer of the unit or other parties can be held accountable for your injuries. We will have to discuss all of the aspects of your case to determine who is to be held accountable.
Injuries sustained in a forklift accident can mean hospitalization, surgery and long-term rehabilitation therapy. The expenses surrounding this type of accident can be staggering and when you combine that with a victim’s inability to work, the financial consequences are devastating. When you work with Ivan M. Diamond, I will fight tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve so you are at least financially on the same ground after an accident as you were before the accident. Call me today at 877-960-1702 and I’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation and case review.
