When a forklift accident occurs, several parties endure consequences as a result. By far, the most negatively affected are the victims injured by these heavy vehicles. However, the property owner, general contractor, and other workers who witness the accident also endure consequences.
A Long Island construction accident lawyer from our team represents forklift accident victims and works to recover appropriate compensation based on their expenses and losses. We hold the liable party or parties accountable for failing to prevent these accidents and contributing to the consequences you face.
- What Are the Consequences To Be Aware of After a Forklift Accident?
- What Are the Most Common Forklift Accident Injuries?
- Causes and Liability in Forklift Accident Injuries
- Building a Forklift Accident Case to Recover Appropriate Compensation
- Discuss Your Forklift Accident Injuries With Our Team for Free
What Are the Consequences To Be Aware of After a Forklift Accident?
When a forklift accident occurs, the circumstances can cause consequences for the victim, the owner of the forklift, the property owner, and others involved. Understanding the potential consequences of a forklift accident could help you consider the necessary steps to prevent them or know what to expect afterward. Some of the most common consequences include:
Injuries
Victims hurt in forklift accidents experience a wide range of personal injuries. Some are relatively minor contusions and lacerations. Others cause serious, life-changing, or even life-threatening traumatic amputations or crush injuries. Many require medical care, and some need hospitalization. Almost all will incur some expenses related to their injuries, whether that is seeing a doctor at a local urgent care or inpatient treatment at a regional trauma center.
Lasting Effects
Victims hurt in a forklift accident sometimes have lasting effects from their injuries. When they suffer catastrophic, life-altering injuries, they might lose mobility and independence or even suffer a loss of cognitive abilities. Some never return to their careers or activities they previously enjoyed. These lasting effects are often the most severe consequences faced after a forklift accident.
Missed Work
Even if injuries are relatively minor, the victim will likely miss time at work. Unfortunately, this often means missed paychecks and financial stress for them and their family. Sometimes, if they suffer lasting injuries, they will not be able to return to work and could face ongoing money concerns unless they recover a payout or receive disability compensation.
Emotional Trauma for Witnesses
Witnessing a forklift accident that hurts a friend or coworker is traumatic. Witnesses could suffer emotional damage after seeing an accident occur. They could require mental health support or therapy to work through the trauma they experienced and ensure they do not have any lasting psychological effects.
Damaged Forklifts
The property owner and general contractor will also face consequences after a forklift accident. These are in addition to being held liable for injuries when possible. They must deal with a damaged forklift, which is especially stressful if they do not have other machines available. Repair or replacement of a forklift is expensive and time-consuming.
Fines
Those who oversee construction sites often face fines related to a forklift accident. They must follow strict guidelines to keep workers safe while operating these machines. When they fail to do so, they could pay stiff fines.
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What Are the Most Common Forklift Accident Injuries?
Forklift injuries can vary widely. Some workers hurt in forklift accidents recover quickly, while others require life-long care and support and never return to their previous jobs.
Some common forklift accident injuries include:
- Fractures
- Sprains and muscle tears
- Bruises and lacerations
- Traumatic amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Crush injuries
Causes and Liability in Forklift Accident Injuries
Understanding the causes and who is liable for forklift accidents on a construction site plays a crucial role in holding the liable party or parties responsible. Generally, we build a case against the property owner, general contractor, and/or another company in these cases.
Several common causes of forklift accidents include:
Forklift Overturns
When a forklift turns over, the operator and others nearby often suffer severe injuries. These overturns usually occur because of careless and reckless operation of the lift. This includes improper turning, driving with excessive speed, uneven loading, or driving with an elevated load. They can also occur because of uneven surfaces.
Lost Loads
When cargo falls from the tines or bucket of a forklift, it can cause serious harm to anyone it hits. This can occur with inexperienced operators, complacent or careless operations, uneven or unsecured loads, or driving with an elevated load.
When heavy loads exceed the weight limit of a forklift, you can see this kind of accident. Mechanical failure, unbalanced loads, faulty equipment, collisions with objects, and other hazardous conditions can all lead to a lost load and serious workplace injuries.
Pedestrian Collisions
When a worker on the ground is hit by a forklift, the injuries can be severe. There are many preventative measures to stop this type of accident, starting with proper training for both forklift operators and those who work near these machines to avoid blind spots. This can be done with floor tape, keeping a safe distance, and maintaining a proper speed limit to ensure pedestrian safety.
These injuries are also common when another worker is standing or sitting on the forklift tines or in the bucket. This is not allowed under safety laws and should not occur in any workplace.
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Building a Forklift Accident Case to Recover Appropriate Compensation
Our forklift accident lawyers seek damages for clients based on the injuries, expenses, and losses they experienced. We will help you understand the types of damages you qualify to recover and how we will handle your case to recover them. If you lost a loved one in a forklift accident, let us extend our heartfelt condolences. Our wrongful death lawyers know how to manage these cases and recover appropriate compensation for surviving family members too. 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, you can count on our legal team to:
- Keep you updated on your case
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Communicate with all parties for you
- Gather evidence and build a solid case
- Determine a value for your case
- Fight tirelessly to win the best possible case result for you
We work based on contingency fees. You do not need to pay our attorneys any upfront fees for us to go to work on your case. Contact us today to learn more.
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Discuss Your Forklift Accident Injuries With Our Team for Free
Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. has a multilingual staff (Spanish, Greek, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada). We can meet on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area to start on your compensation claim. According to New York law, you only have a limited amount of time to act. So, contact us today.
Call us today for a free consultation or use our online contact form.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form