24
Jun 2022
By

Forklift Accidents Can Cause Severe Injuries & Fatalities

Forklift in a warehouse

Forklift accidents continue to be a serious problem, resulting in thousands of serious work-related injuries and fatalities each year. Sadly, many of these accidents are preventable. For instance, a recent fatal forklift accident resulted in a company being cited for unsafe working conditions, according to an article published by Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

“A forklift typically weighs between 4,000 to 9,000 pounds and poses significant risk of severe injury or death to workers who may be struck-by this equipment,” said Ramona Morris, an Area Officer Director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Forklift accident statistics

Thousands of people are injured or killed annually in forklift accidents across the country. Each year, nearly 80 people die and more than 7,000 people are injured in forklift accidents, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Workplace accident statistics compiled by the National Safety Council show that forklift accidents resulted in 78 work-related fatalities and 7,290 nonfatal work injuries in 2020.

Common causes of forklift accidents

What makes forklifts so dangerous? Forklift accidents happen for many different reasons. Some of the most common causes of forklift accidents include:

  • Poorly maintained forklifts.
  • Inexperienced forklift drivers.
  • Improper training on how to safely operate a forklift.
  • Reckless forklift operators.
  • Workers being struck by an object dropped from the forklift.

These are just some of the reasons why forklift accidents happen, but it’s important to remember that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Still, obtaining the benefits you’re entitled to isn’t always easy, and it’s common for injured workers to run into obstacles at different points in the process.

How a workers’ compensation attorney can help

You might think you don’t need a workers’ compensation lawyer if you were hurt in a forklift accident at work. All you have to do is tell your employer about your work-related injury, and that’s it, right?

Don’t be so sure. In many cases, workers’ compensation claims quickly turn into complicated legal cases. Often, it’s because of complications that sometimes come up when dealing with your employer’s insurance company. For example, they might claim that you have a pre-existing medical condition and refuse to cover necessary and reasonable medical treatment for your work injuries.

At the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl, our workers’ compensation lawyers have been helping injured workers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for decades. As a result, we have an in-depth understanding of both states’ workers’ compensation laws and how they apply to forklift accident claims.

Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a workers’ compensation attorney focused on getting you the outcome your case deserves. We have three offices conveniently located in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and handle workers’ compensation claims in both states.

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