Forklifts are the most commonly used pieces of heavy equipment in many types of manufacturing, transportation and warehousing industries.
They are also commonly involved in serious or fatal work accidents. Forklift accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports as many as 62,000 work injuries involving forklifts occur each year in the United States, with about half of them resulting in serious injuries. On average, nearly 100 serious forklift injuries occur each day, and about 2 people per week are killed on the job by a forklift.
Those injured in a forklift accident are best served by seeking an immediate consultation with an experienced forklift injury lawyer in New Orleans, Covington or Raceland. Thorough investigation of all of the facts and circumstances of an accident, and a full determination of all damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and rehabilitation, are critical to making a comprehensive claim for damages.
Forklift Work Accidents
Aside from their common use in many types of businesses, forklifts are often involved in serious and fatal work accidents for a number of reasons:
- They weigh up to 9,000 pounds before being loaded and can travel at nearly 20 mph.
- They have front brakes and turn from the rear wheels, making them hard to stop and prone to swinging.
- They are counterweighted in the rear to compensate for heavy loads, making them difficult to handle safely.
- Loads can obstruct the view of operators.
- Operators may not be properly trained and often work in close proximity to employees on the ground.
- Shifting and unsafe loads can fall, creating additional hazards for employees.
Common causes of forklift accidents include unsafe operation, poor communication, speeding, overloading, improper backing or turning, inadequate inspection or maintenance, and dangerous or faulty equipment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports top causes of injury include:
- Employee struck by forklift.
- Forklift tip over.
- Falls from forklift.
- Crushed by forklift.
- Struck by forklift.
- Struck by toppling load.
- Driving off loading dock or elevated platform.
- Caught between forklift and another object.
- Falls after being struck by forklift.
A thorough investigation into all of the causes of a forklift accident is best done as soon as possible after injury occurs. Consulting an experienced work injury lawyer in New Orleans is the best thing you can do to protect your rights and the financial well-being of you and your family.
Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation benefits, including:
- Lifetime medical benefits for care related to the injury, including rehabilitation and transportation costs.
- Replacement of lost wages.
- Permanent partial or total disability benefits.
These benefits should be made available to you regardless of fault. However, that does not mean your insurer will not work to reduce benefits or otherwise limit the cost of a claim. Challenging injuries as pre-existing conditions, limiting treatment or rehabilitation and premature return-to-work orders are all common tactics and may result in permanently reduced or eliminated benefits if not timely challenged by an experienced law firm dedicated to looking out for you at every stage of the process.
If you have been injured, call day or night for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 985-202-9907.
Aside from their common use in many types of businesses, forklifts are often involved in 
