Northern California Forklift Accident Attorneys
Northern California Forklift Accident
According to government statistics more than 20,000 construction workers are seriously injured in forklift related accidents every year in the U.S. Forklift related accidents also lead to the deaths of approximately 100 workers each year. Preventable forklift accidents can instantly change a construction worker’s life, often leaving them with serious disabilities and the inability to work. In addition to serious injuries, workers may also be faced with accruing medical expenses, looming mortgages and other living expenses with no way to pay for them. Construction workers that have been injured on the job should contact a skilled personal injury attorney at Estey Bomberger. We can help file a personal injury claim, which allows injured victims to pursue compensation from the at-fault party for their injury expenses. Our northern California construction accident attorneys are prepared to go up against negligent construction companies and landowners who failed to provide a safe working environment.
Causes of Northern California Forklift Accidents
All too often, forklift accidents are a result of negligence or recklessness on the part of a construction employer or contractor. Many times, employers or contractors disregard the safety of their employees for the sake of profits or deadlines. Workers who are rushed or told not to follow safety procedures can seriously injure a fellow worker in several types of forklift accidents, including:
Falling debris or objects
Debris or objects that fall from a forklift can crush or seriously injure a worker.
Running over workers
Workers may fail to notice a forklift backing up, especially if an automatic alarm on the forklift has not been installed.
Tipping over
Forklifts can easily tip over if loaded beyond capacity and crush or pin a worker underneath.
Construction site hazards
Narrow or obstructed pathways, poor visibility and poor path conditions can cause a forklift driver to lose control and crash.
Driver ejection
Drivers are often ejected from the forklift due to the lack of seatbelts or restraining equipment.
Elevating workers
Forklifts may be used to elevate workers (which forklifts are not designed to do) causing them to slip or fall.
Types of Forklift Accident Injuries
Forklift accidents can result in a severe brain injury, spinal cord injury, back injury, neck injury, broken bone injury, severed nerve injury, limb loss injury, internal organ injury, blinding injury or laceration injury.
Preventing Forklift Accidents
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that upon investigation, many employers were found guilty of not following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations for equipment use. Employers, contractors (including general or sub contractors), construction site owners and equipment suppliers may be held accountable for a forklift accident if it is proven that they failed to provide a safe working environment. Regular forklift inspection and maintenance, better training for forklift operators, and enforcement of OSHA safety programs are all actions that a construction employer can take to prevent a forklift accident from happening.
Northern California Forklift Accident Victim’s Rights
If you were injured in a northern California forklift accident, contact the Estey Bomberger law firm. One of our knowledgeable northern California construction site accident lawyers can inform you of your legal rights and explain how you can recover monetary compensation with our firm’s help. The settlements that we have recovered for our clients have helped them pay for injury related expenses, such as medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Contact our firm today at (800) 890-6722. Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not pay for our services until we have obtained compensation for your damages.