Understanding how and why forklift accidents happen should reduce your risk of suffering injuries. When an incident occurs and you are hurt, it will help you better understand who might be liable.
We strongly recommend working with a Long Island construction accident lawyer to pursue appropriate compensation based on your injuries, expenses, and other related losses. Our attorneys work with forklift accident victims to seek and recover the money they need to pay their medical bills, cover lost income, and compensate them for their pain and suffering.
- Common Types of Forklift Accidents and Their Causes
- What Are the Consequences of Forklift Accidents for Workers?
- Who Is Liable for My Forklift Accident Injuries?
- Building a Forklift Accident Case
- Discuss Your Forklift Accident Injuries With Our Team for Free
Common Types of Forklift Accidents and Their Causes
Some of the most common ways forklift accidents and injuries occur on construction sites include:
Faulty Trucks and Truck Parts
When a company fails to properly maintain its forklifts and other machines, accidents become more likely. Having a poorly maintained forklift, lacking the proper repair tools, or using mismatched attachments and accessories all increase the risk of injuries from mechanical failure.
Careless Operation
When a forklift driver becomes complacent or careless, they could make mistakes that cause accidents and injuries. This could include not obeying speed limits, mishandling turns, failing to double-check for pedestrians, and not reacting appropriately when hazards occur.
Lost Loads
Forklifts are designed to lift and move heavy loads. When a load falls, the heavy cargo could strike the forklift driver or others working nearby. Lost loads are more likely when maneuvering pallets at very high levels, driving with an elevated load, or moving improperly loaded cargo.
Forklift Turnovers
A forklift turning over is one of the most common and deadliest types of accidents involving this equipment. Causes can include improperly loaded or secured cargo, uneven floors, steep slopes, and misjudging a drop-off. Speeding also contributes to many of these incidents.
Falling From the Lift
While it is never a permitted action, many people fall from forklift masts and suffer injuries. A forklift should never be used to lift a person, whether on the tines or in a bucket. Too many workers fall and suffer serious or deadly injuries each year.
Improper Turns
Drivers recklessly turn a corner with too much speed, causing the forklift to topple over onto them or other workers. Forklift turnovers are, unfortunately, very common. An improper turn can also cause a cargo shift that leads to injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents
When forklifts operate in areas where others move on foot, collisions are possible. There are many steps property owners and general contractors can take to reduce this risk. This includes requiring highly visible clothing, clearly marking areas where forklifts commonly travel (such as with floor tape), and teaching all workers safety in heavy equipment zones.
Other Forklift Incidents
While there are many other ways forklift truck accidents can happen, most come down to a lack of experience and proper training, complacency when it comes to safety regulations, or forklift operator carelessness. When property owners and general contractors require a high level of training and proper operation they can greatly reduce the risk of an injury accident.
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What Are the Consequences of Forklift Accidents for Workers?
When workers are hurt in a forklift accident, they suffer many consequences. In addition to severe injuries and missed work, their family will likely miss out on income. Many of the most common injuries suffered in forklift accidents are life-altering. The victims require long-term treatment and support, rehabilitation, and therapies. Some need around-the-clock care. The medical expenses alone can cause significant stress and emotional distress for the victim and their family.
Some of the most common forklift accident injuries include:
- Crush injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Sprains and muscle tears
- Bruises and lacerations
- Traumatic amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
Who Is Liable for My Forklift Accident Injuries?
The circumstances that led to your forklift accident and injuries determine who is liable. Generally, a third-party company, general contractor, or property owner is the at-fault party in a construction site forklift case. When the at-fault party is the injured person’s employer, that employer will most likely have a defense to a direct claim or lawsuit under the Workers Compensation laws. However, when any third party is at fault, we take action to hold them legally responsible.
While New York law will not allow you to sue your employer property owners and general contractors do have the important responsibility of to keeping workers safe on construction projects. Other third-party entities on the work site also have a duty to conduct themselves in a manner that will not create danger to others. We know how to determine who might be legally liable and how to hold them accountable. This requires investigating your accident and determining what happened and why.
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Building a Forklift Accident Case
If your loved one died in a fatal forklift accident, we extend our deepest condolences. We suggest that you work with our forklift accident team to seek compensation and hold the liable parties accountable. A wrongful death lawyer from our team is available to manage your case. We consider it a special privilege to advocate for the surviving family members of wrongful death victims. We are determined to win the compensation you need and the justice your departed loved one deserves.
As passionate advocates for the injured, we will ensure we protect your rights and fight for your best interests throughout this process. When we manage your case, count on us to:
- Keep you updated about anything that happens
- Identify all liable parties
- Manage all communication
- Gather evidence and build a convincing case
- Determine a value for your case
- Seek an appropriate compensation claim based on the case facts
We call in expert witnesses who will help us understand your case and document your damages. This could include medical experts, vocational rehabilitation specialists, life care planners, and economists.
We are a contingency fee firm. We do not ask for upfront fees or retainers. Instead, we take our attorney’s fees from the money we recover in your case. To learn more, call about your free consultation today. We meet people on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area.
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Discuss Your Forklift Accident Injuries With Our Team for Free
Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., provides free case consultations for victims of forklift accidents who live or work on Long Island. We are here for you and will allow you to better navigate your legal case during this difficult time. According to New York law, you only have a limited amount of time to act. So, contact us today.
Call for a free consultation or use our online contact form to reach our team.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form