Forklift Accidents

At 2-3 times the weight of a car, a forklift is quite a heavy-hitter for such a seemingly small vehicle. It’s also an inherent potential danger and will cause a construction accident if not used properly in the workplace. In fact, in the United States alone, approximately 1 in 6 workplace deaths involve a forklift. Not only that, but a whopping 90% of all forklifts are estimated to be involved in an accident at some time during the span of their useful lives.

Perhaps most incredible is this: according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), about 70% of those forklift accidents could be prevented if standardized training were provided and safety procedures were observed. OSHA also reports that major factors in such injuries include lack of worker training/improper training on forklift operation, traveling at excessive speed, riding with the load elevated, improper warnings or communication when working in a shared space, inadequate equipment servicing, etc.

When a worker is seriously injured in a forklift accident, he or she may be out of work for some time, leading to a significant loss of wages that worker's compensation may not be able to sufficiently make up for. In some cases, the worker may be so severely injured that he or she cannot return to work, leading to a complete loss of career and livelihood. The worker (and/or his/her loved ones) may also be saddled with excessive medical bills that insurance refuses to cover, like treatment for forklift accident-related injuries such as:

It is important for an injured worker to seek the help of an educated, experienced lawyer when dealing with the repercussions of a serious forklift accident injury. When facing legal, financial, and medical difficulties, a lawyer can be an excellent resource for advice and navigation through such challenges, and can also represent injured parties in court and on paper when seeking appropriate compensation beyond the minimums of worker’s compensation benefits.

Have you been injured in an Orlando forklift accident? If so, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.