Forklift accidents are one of the most common construction and warehouse site accidents. Each year, more than 20,000 workers suffer serious injuries in forklift-related accidents. Additionally, over 100 workers are killed each year in forklift-related accidents.
Accidents that occur on cranes and man-lifts are also unfortunately common at construction sites. Equipment can fail or other environmental factors can cause mechanical problems that yield disastrous results. Also, if equipment is operated by unlicensed personnel, there is an even higher risk of an accident occuring.
Scaffolding accidents usually result from careless construction and maintenance or poor construction site safety. These problems cause workers to slip or trip, allow planking to collapse, or cause falling objects to strike workers on the scaffold or on the ground.
The personal injury attorneys at Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff have handled numerous personal injury cases resulting from forklifts, cranes, man-lifts, scaffolding and other dangerous construction-related activities. We understand that these types of accidents often result in serious and disabling injuries that can have a terrible impact on the injured person and his or her family.
Defective Machinery Design: Compensation and Damages
If you have been injured in a dangerous construction accident, even if you are receiving workers’ compensation, you may be able to file a lawsuit against someone other than your employer or a co-worker. Frequently, accidents that occur on forklifts, scaffolding, cranes and man-lifts are not caused by the employer, but by the carelessness of the equipment manufacturer or of a subcontractor who assembled the dangerous scaffold.
In such cases, you are not limited to workers’ compensation and you may receive higher damages for the following:
- Payment for loss of past and future income and earning capacity
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Other expenses related to the accident
The law requires manufacturers to design safe machines. Unfortunately, they often sacrifice safety for profit. For example, many manufacturers are aware of defects in their forklift braking systems, but they refuse to make safety improvements in the design because of the cost. Additionally, some forklifts lack basic driver protections in the operator compartment. Many stand-up forklifts do not have a door to the operator compartment, a self- latching door, and are even susceptible to tipping. Accidents with these machines can lead to foot crush injuries or amputations.
Sometimes employers or contractors who are more concerned with getting the work done quickly than getting it done safely, may neglect rules for the safe use of heavy machinery. We at Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff know that an accident is almost sure to happen when safety rules are ignored.
Construction Related Accidents, Wrongful Death & Personal Injury Lawyers
If a member of your family has died because of a construction related accident, you may be entitled to payment for the wrongful death of your loved one.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dangerous accident, fill out and submit the contact form on this page for a free and confidential case evaluation, or call us toll-free at (888) 285-3333.