In Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida, forklift accidents cause hundreds of yearly injuries and deaths. Companies of all kinds rely on forklifts to get the job done, and these vehicles are very safe when maintained and operated correctly. However, when companies fail to train operators appropriately or enforce safety policies, they place employees and the public at risk.
Injuries caused by forklift accidents can require extensive medical treatment and prevent you from working for days, weeks, months, or more. A severe injury can leave you with no way to pay your bills or keep a roof over your head. You may even struggle to get the medical care you need to recover fully.
If someone’s negligence led to your accident and injuries, a Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer could help you hold the at-fault party accountable. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can work on your behalf to get you the financial compensation you need.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer.
Common Reasons for Fort Lauderdale Forklift Accidents & Injuries
Forklifts, when maintained and operated by recommendations and requirements, pose minimal risk to those who run them or work in the area. Nevertheless, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report that businesses regularly violate the established safety standards for Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs) such as forklifts. In 2016, forklift accidents severely injured more than 30,000 U.S. employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with 60,000 more workers sustaining less severe injuries.
Operators get hurt around forklifts when the PIT rolls over or the engine catches fire. Bystanders and other employees can be crushed by the forklift itself or by its load or stuck by something falling off the lift from above. Non-operator employees often become caught by the fork or drop from the elevator.
Some of the most commonly cited reasons why forklift accidents and injuries occur are as follows:
- Insufficient operator training
- Disregarding safety policies
- Reckless operation and speeding
- Driving over dangerous surfaces or terrain
- Improper or imbalanced loading
- Horseplay and inattention
- Improper use (lifting people, etc.)
- Neglected repair and maintenance
- Manufacturing Defect
You might have a valid personal injury case if you sustained injuries because of any of these potential causes or in an accident resulting from negligence.
The Importance of Safety Measures in Forklift Operations
In Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida, forklifts play a crucial role in various industries, aiding in the movement and transportation of goods. While these machines are invaluable for efficient operations, they also pose significant risks when not operated or maintained correctly. Accidents involving forklifts can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities. Companies must ensure that their employees receive proper training and that safety protocols are strictly followed. When these standards are not met, the consequences can be dire, leading to life-altering injuries and significant financial burdens for the victims.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has highlighted that many businesses often overlook established safety standards for Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs), such as forklifts. This negligence can result in thousands of injuries annually. Some of the most common causes of forklift accidents include insufficient operator training, reckless operation, improper loading, and neglected maintenance. When accidents occur due to these reasons, victims may face challenges such as burns, amputations, spinal injuries, and even paralysis. Such incidents’ emotional and psychological toll can also be overwhelming for the victims and their families.
Legal representation becomes essential for victims of forklift accidents. Law firms like The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine support those injured in such accidents, helping them navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. With their expertise, they ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve, covering medical bills, lost wages, and other associated costs. Victims must understand their rights and seek legal counsel promptly to ensure that they are adequately represented and protected.
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Forklift Accidents Lead to Severe Injuries, Disability, and Death
Because forklift and PIT accidents involve a type of heavy machinery, they frequently cause significant injuries, disability, permanent damage, and even death.
According to data published by OSHA, the most common injuries caused by forklifts are:
- Burns
- Crushing
- Amputations
- Damage to internal organs, neck and spinal damage
- Concussion
- Fractured and crushed bones
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Death
Although many victims do recover from their injuries, they may require months or years of treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation. Many others never recover from their injuries, which may render them unable to work or earn a living in their field.
A Forklift Accident & Injury Lawyer Will Protect You & Your Future
For victims who sustained injuries in a PIT accident, a forklift accident and injury lawyer can provide an invaluable suite of services, protecting your rights and fighting to get you the help you need to recover.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we understand the devastation you have experienced and the frustration of not getting the comprehensive medical care you need to get well. Start the process today and call 1-800-747-3733 to speak with a forklift accident & injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
As an employee injured on the job, you have the legal right to obtain compensation for medical care and lost wages from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Unfortunately, this coverage often fails to provide appropriate medical treatment. Workers’ comp also does not reimburse you for the full value of your lost wages.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, we may file a legal claim for negligence against your employer to obtain the settlement you deserve.
Our goals are to ensure you get the treatment you need and aggressively pursue a legal resolution and settlement of your claim. The sooner we can get a settlement check into your hands, the sooner you can have peace of mind for the future.
We will get to work immediately investigating your accident and documenting the facts of the incident. We will build the strongest possible claim and submit it to the at-fault party’s insurance company. We will negotiate a successful settlement or, if necessary, we will file a lawsuit and take your accident injury claim to court.
Determining Your Forklift Accident & Injury Claim Value
Our legal team will contact your doctors and other medical treatment professionals to obtain your full care costs to date to determine the total amount of compensation we can request for your forklift accident and injury. We will also get check stubs, wage statements, and other documents to prove the number of your lost wages to date.
If you require ongoing care, therapy, or rehab, we will obtain statements from your doctors to document your prognosis and future treatment requirements. We will use an income loss projection model to determine the amount of your future lost wages, benefits, and opportunities.
If you sustained any permanent disfigurement, damage, or loss of bodily function, we would add a dollar value to your claim commensurate with those injuries. We can also include pain and suffering and emotional damage as a part of your settlement claim.
How a Forklift Accident & Injury Lawyer Establishes Liability
Once we identify the party (or parties) who had fault in your accident, we must prove that their negligence caused your injuries to establish liability.
We accomplish this goal by demonstrating that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care. For example, your employer owes their staff a duty of care to provide a safe working environment. If the employer breaches their duty of care by not giving forklift training or by failing to enforce safety policies, we can demonstrate that the company breached its duty of care to you. If that breach of duty caused a forklift accident, we could show that the at-fault party had causation for your injuries and damages.
Finally, we will demonstrate actual damages, the fourth element of negligence, by providing documents that prove the exact monetary damages you sustained as a result of your forklift accident and injury.
No-Cost Case Review from a Forklift Accident & Injury Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale
If you sustained injuries in a forklift or PIT accident in Fort Lauderdale, contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for help.
We offer a no-cost consultation to get you the answers you need. Call us for help from one of our forklift accident and injury attorneys.
