Types of Forklift Accidents

There are several types of forklift accidents, including:

Foot Crush Injuries or Amputations — This is most frequent type of serious injury experienced by operators of stand-up forklifts.

Tipping Over — This can occur when the forklift is overloaded, People standing in the path of the forklift can be injured or killed by material falling from the forklift. Sometimes the forklift driver will be crushed if a “Rollover Protection System” has not been installed.

Off-The-Dock — This often occurs when a truck that is being loaded or unloaded by a forklift pulls away from the dock without warning and the forklift crashes to the pavement below. Properly installed forklift safety features could protect the forklift driver and injury could be prevented. However, too many forklifts are operated without proper protection.

Driver Ejection — Unprotected drivers are thrown from a moving forklift. In a sit down forklift, the driver seats should be designed with seatbelts, arm rests, and grab handles. In a stand-up forklift, the machine should be equipped with an operator compartment door to keep the driver safe while the forklift is in motion.

Falling Objects — Unprotected drivers can be seriously injured by falling objects. Forklifts, especially those at construction sites or for overhead work, should have an “All Falling Object Protection System” installed to protect the driver from falling debris.

Unsafe Driving Conditions — Property owners and contractors permit unsafe driving conditions to exist with narrow or congested pathways and driveways, obstructed intersections, and low visibility which can lead to forklift accidents.

Hitting Pedestrians — Careless forklift operation, and/or the lack of an automatic signal alarm and flashing warning light, can lead to collisions with pedestrians, causing catastrophic injuries.

Forklift Accidents

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.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident, even if workers’ compensation benefits are being paid, a lawsuit may be filed against someone other than the employer or a co-worker. The personal injury lawyers of Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff know that frequently forklift accidents are caused by the negligence or carelessness of forklift manufacturers, construction contractors and subcontractors, or property owners.

If you were injured in a forklift accident, you may be entitled to:

• Payment for past and future medical expenses
• Hospital bills
• Loss of past and future income and earning capacity
• Emotional distress
• Past and future pain and suffering
• Other expenses related to the accident

You are not limited to workers’ compensation. Settlements and verdicts awarded to victims of forklift accidents caused by third-party negligence are usually much greater than what is recovered through the workers compensation system. If a member of your family has been killed in a forklift accident, we will seek damages for wrongful death.

Forklift Safety and the Law

The law requires forklift manufacturers to design safe machines. Unfortunately, they often sacrifice safety for profit. For example, many manufacturers are aware of defects in their braking systems, but they refuse to make safety improvements in the design because of the cost.

Some forklifts lack basic driver protections in the operator compartment. Many stand-up forklifts do not have a door to the operator compartment, and 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 the forklift. We at Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff know that an accident is almost sure to happen when forklift safety rules are ignored.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident, fill out and submit the contact form on this page for a free case evaluation or call us toll-free at (888) 285-3333.