
Forklifts are dangerous pieces of equipment. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), no person younger than 18 years of age may operate a forklift and no one over 18 years of age may do so without specialized training, evaluation, and certification. Unfortunately, OSHA reports that forklift accidents account for nearly 100,000 injuries and 100 fatalities every year.
In some instances, due to the facts and circumstances of the accident, a victim does not have the legal right to pursue workers’ compensation claims but instead discovers that another entity remains liable and responsible for the negligence resulting in their accident. If you suffered injuries due to a forklift accident, consider how a Los Angeles forklift accident lawyer can help you file a claim and help you understand your legal rights. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 529-9122 for a free review of your case today.
Causes of Forklift Accidents
Forklift accidents can result from any number of circumstances. While every forklift accident has a different set of facts, the following are some causes of forklift accidents that may result in serious injury or even death.
- Forklift operator inattention or distraction
- Forklift operator inexperience resulting from a failure to provide proper training
- Lack of hazard warnings or caution signs
- Excessive speed
- Improper turns
- Unstable, incorrectly secured or elevated cargo load
- Dangerous or hazardous workplace or work location
- Poor maintenance of machinery
- Manufacturing defect
Types of Forklift Accidents
Forklifts are commonly used on many construction sites but are also seen in large big-box retail stores. Some of the types of forklift accidents that occur include the following:
- Driving off an edge or a loading dock onto pavement several feet below
- Driving between loading docks and falling onto the pavement below
- Collisions between forklifts and other workers or pedestrians
- Forklifts tipping over due to unsecured or improperly loaded cargo
- Failure to operate the forklift correctly due to improper training or failure to operate the forklift properly
For a free legal consultation with a Forklift Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 529-9122
Types of Forklift Accident Injuries
Forklifts pose a major risk and danger to workers on any construction or work site. Injuries can include any of the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries (resulting in possible paralysis)
- Back or neck injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations or bruising
Depending on the nature of these injuries, some victims suffer a lifetime of pain and suffering or the need for consistent surgeries or therapy. If you suffered any injuries as a result of a forklift accident, learn how a Los Angeles forklift accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you with your next steps.
Los Angeles Forklift Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 529-9122
Determining Liability
While many people think that they must file a workers’ compensation claim following an accident in the workplace, in some instances there are other third parties or entities responsible for the injuries and losses related to a forklift accident. Construction and work sites often have several different companies and independent contractors working in the same area, and therefore, an accident involving a forklift may not be the responsibility of your own employer, but rest with another employer or another worker, or even a manufacturer of a defective part that failed. The following are some entities that may have liability regarding your forklift accident.
Forklift Operator
Forklift operators may have a personal responsibility for a forklift accident if their negligence or recklessness directly caused injury or losses. If a forklift operator drove their machine under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or behaved in a careless or reckless manner, they may ultimately have direct personal responsibility for the accident.
Another Company
If a supervisor of another company or entity knew that they placed a driver in a forklift without proper experience or training, failed to ensure that a forklift received proper maintenance, or failed to follow OSHA guidelines, a victim of a forklift accident may have the legal right to file a claim against that other company or entity directly for any injuries or losses.
Manufacturer
If a forklift had any defective or faulty parts or components, that directly led to an accident involving the forklift, the victim may have the legal right to file a claim against the manufacturer for any injuries or losses under product liability law.
Click to contact our Forklift Accidents Lawyers today
Compensation for Forklift Accidents
If you were a victim of a forklift accident, you likely are facing substantial bills related to your medical treatment, the loss of wages due to your inability to return to the workplace, and pain and suffering. If you, or a loved one, suffered injuries in a forklift accident, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation for the following items:
- All bills related to medical treatment including emergency room visits, doctor visits, diagnostic testing, medicine, surgeries, or treatments. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may also have the legal right to pursue expected future medical bills.
- Lost wages due to an inability to return to work as well as a diminished earning capacity if your injuries are so severe you are unable to return to work in the future
- Pain and suffering, including mental anguish
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Consider How a Los Angeles Forklift Accident Lawyer Can Help You Today
If you suffered injuries related to a forklift accident, you may have the legal right to pursue a personal injury or product liability claim for compensation regarding those injuries if they were the direct result of someone else’s negligence or the direct result of a manufacturing defect.
If you suffered injuries relating to a forklift accident, you likely have a great deal of pain and suffering along with your injuries and feel overwhelmed at the idea of negotiating on your own behalf with insurance companies. Learn how a Los Angeles forklift accident lawyer can help you determine your legal rights, negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies, and help you pursue a fair settlement for your losses, by contacting our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 529-9122 today. The initial consultation is always free for accident victims and their families.
Call or text (800) 529-9122 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form