What Are the Most Common Forklift Accidents?
1. Unsafe Work Environment
- Inadequate lighting in work areas makes it hard to see hazards, read signage, or notice pedestrians in the forklift’s path.
- Operating forklifts on ramps, wet surfaces, or rough terrain can destabilize it, increasing the risk of it tipping over as well as improperly secured or stacked loads.
- Potholes, debris, and worn or cracks in floors can throw off a forklift’s balance and handling. Even slight inclines can pose serious risks when forklifts are carrying heavy or high loads.
- If employers prioritize speed over safety so you’re rushing to meet deadlines or productivity targets, this can increase the likelihood of careless mistakes and serious accidents.
2. Lack of Proper Training and Certification
When forklift operators aren’t properly trained or don’t fully understand the machine’s capabilities, limitations, inspection procedures, and how to operate it safely at work, the risk of something serious, even fatal is high. Only trained, skilled, and certified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) operators are permitted to operate a forklift, so if an employee isn’t trained or certified, this is a safety violation.
3. Mechanical Failures
Forklifts require regular maintenance, so that they continue to operate safely. When employers neglect maintenance schedules, mechanical failures like faulty brakes, hydraulic lift issues, broken warning lights or alarms, and steering problems can happen, which creates a hazardous work environment. Even the most experienced operator can lose control of a forklift if a mechanical failure occurs.
4. Forklift-Pedestrian Accidents
“Over 20 percent of [forklift-pedestrian accidents] involve employees or pedestrians being hit by forklifts, making it the number two cause of forklift-related accidents and injuries.” These accidents can range from minor injuries to severe trauma, or even fatalities. Preventing these accidents requires employers to maintain strict safety protocols by marketing pedestrian zones, posting speed limits, warning alarms, and convex mirrors that eliminate blind spots.
5. Emission Exposure
Exposure to emissions while operating a forklift occurs when workers inhale harmful engine gases, such as carbon monoxide. Forklift operators and nearby workers can inhale these fumes causing headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or even death.
For a free legal consultation, call 844-721-1656
Steps to Take After a Forklift Accident
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel okay, get a medical evaluation immediately. Some serious injuries may not show symptoms right away, and adrenaline can mask any pain. Getting checked out by a medical professional will also give you an official medical record that documents any injuries associated with the accident for a future case.
Some of the most forklift injuries include:
- Severe trauma to the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
- Concussions, skull fractures, or permanent brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Amputations.
- Bone fractures.
- Internal organ damage.
- Fatal injuries.
Report the Accident to Your Employer
Notify your supervisor or manager about the accident as soon as possible so that it’s documented properly. Many states have strict deadlines for reporting workplace injuries, so failing to report the incident in a timely manner could jeopardize your ability to file a claim. When you report the accident, stick to the facts of what happened. Don’t admit fault or guess what could have been the cause. Make sure to get a copy of the written report for your records.
Document the Incident
Evidence will be key essential for any future workplace accident claim. If you’re physically able to, take pictures and videos with your phone of the forklift, your injuries, the location of the incident, and any contributing factors like faulty equipment, obstacles, or poor lighting. Be sure to get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened because their accounts of what happened could help your claim.
Understanding Your Compensation Options
After a forklift accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job. Benefits typically include:
- Coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment.
- Partial wage replacement for the time you are unable to work.
- Benefits for any permanent disability resulting from the injury.
To receive these benefits, you must file a workers’ compensation claim according to your state’s specific requirements.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
Workers’ compensation claims usually don’t cover pain and suffering, or the full amount of lost wages. This is why working with our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Postman Law helps ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Third-Party Claims
Sometimes a person or company known as a “third party,” is responsible for the accident. In these situations, you may be able to file a third party liability lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. Examples of negligent third parties include:
- The manufacturer of a defective forklift or part.
- An outside maintenance company that improperly serviced the machine.
- A driver from another company who caused the accident on your worksite.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Talk With a postman law Workers’ Compensation Attorney For Free
If you or someone you love has been injured in a forklift accident, contact Postman Law today for a free consultation by calling us at 844-POSTMAN or filling out our online form. We have offices in Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, and Minneapolis, but work with clients nationwide to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
FAQs
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
A forklift accident at work involves any incident where a forklift causes injury or damage including collisions, tip-overs, falling loads, struck-by accidents, or pedestrian injuries in warehouses, construction sites, or industrial facilities.
Common causes of forklift accidents include operator error, inadequate training, speeding, overloading, poor visibility, uneven surfaces, mechanical failure, and lack of proper safety procedures.
Liability may fall on the forklift operator, employer, equipment owner, maintenance provider, or manufacturer depending on whether negligence, unsafe conditions, or defective equipment played a role.
Most employees injured in forklift accidents are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits which may cover medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault.
In most cases workers’ compensation prevents employees from suing their employer, but you may be able to pursue a third-party lawsuit if another company, contractor, or equipment manufacturer contributed to the accident.
A third-party claim lets an injured worker pursue compensation from someone other than their employer such as a negligent contractor, property owner, or forklift manufacturer whose actions may have contributed to the injury.
Filing deadlines for forklift accident claims vary by state. Both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits are subject to strict time limits, so it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
OSHA requires forklift operators to be properly trained and certified, and employers must maintain safe working environments and equipment.
Employers may be liable if inadequate training or supervision contributed to the accident, and OSHA violations can strengthen a personal injury claim.
According to OSHA, forklift accidents cause an estimated 75–95 fatalities each year.
Nothing! Postman Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only charge a fee if we win your case or secure a settlement for you. The fee is typically a percentage of the total compensation you receive.
Postman Law specializes in personal injury cases, including car and truck accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, workplace injuries, and more. Our attorneys have secured over $3 billion for more than 1.4 million clients.
We move quickly to gather evidence, thoroughly investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court when necessary. You pay nothing up front. We only collect a fee if we secure compensation for you.
Throughout your case, we stay in close communication, answering your questions, explaining your options, and guiding you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
Celebrating Our First Pitch: Postman Law at the MN Twins Opening
In 2003, armed only with ambition and a U-Haul, I and a few fellow Michigan grads rolled into the Twin Cities to start our law school journey at the U. Our first memorable stop? The iconic H.H.H. Metrodome.
Comparative Fault Explained
When you’re injured in an accident—whether it’s a car crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago or a slip-and-fall incident at a neighborhood grocery store—one of the first questions that comes up is: “Who’s at fault?” In Illinois, answering this question often involves comparative fault (also called comparative negligence).
Postman and Roden Law File Wrongful Death Suit against Lil Durk
Today, Postman Law and Roden Law filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County on behalf of the family of Saviay’a Robinson. The suit targets those responsible for the tragic death of Robinson in Los Angeles.
Call or text 844-721-1656 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form