Forklifts are a marvel of engineering, but like all other tools, they can be dangerous when not used properly or operated by an inexperienced operator. OSHA estimates that more than 10% of all forklifts are involved in accidents every year, and forklift accidents annually account for between 35,000 and 62,000 injuries.
If you have suffered a serious injury in a forklift accident in Southern California, at a warehouse, construction site, or some other venue, a Los Angeles construction accident attorney from Ellis Injury Law is your best resource to recover compensation for your losses and damages. We work tirelessly for victims of construction accidents. Don’t miss out on compensation you might be entitled to just because you think it will be a difficult process. Our construction accident attorneys have decades of experience in the field. Schedule a free consultation today.
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What Are the Common Causes of Forklift Accidents in Los Angeles Workplaces?
At Ellis Law, our team of skilled Los Angeles forklift injury lawyers represent accident victims whose injuries are the result of:
- Inadequate Operator Training: Operators lacking proper training may not fully understand safe operating procedures, leading to mishandling and accidents.
- Overloading or Improper Loading: Exceeding a forklift’s load capacity or improperly securing loads can cause instability, increasing the risk of tip-overs.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance can result in mechanical failures, such as brake or steering malfunctions, contributing to accidents.
- Unsafe Driving Practices: Behaviors like speeding, making sharp turns, or operating on uneven surfaces can lead to rollovers and collisions.
- Insufficient Workplace Safety Measures: Lack of clear signage, inadequate lighting, and poorly defined pedestrian zones can increase the likelihood of accidents involving operators and bystanders.
If you need a forklift accident attorney in Los Angeles, ask about their experience and success rate with recovering damages for injuries from these and other accident causes. Six-figure damages recoveries in forklift lawsuits are not uncommon when you are represented by a dedicated and experienced workplace accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
What Steps Should You Take After a California Forklift Accident?
Regardless of how severe your forklift accident injuries take the following steps:
- Get prompt medical attention and a thorough examination to verify the nature and extent of injuries.
- Prepare a written record of the accident, including time of day and environment.
- Get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Follow all recommendations from treating physicians, including scheduling and attending follow-up examinations, adhering to recommendations for therapy, and taking prescribed medication.
- Report the forklift accident to your employer or, if you are a third party, to the site manager where the accident occurred.
- If applicable, consult with a personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyer about pursuing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Keep track of all of your costs and expenses, including wages that you may not be earning while you recuperate from injuries and your commuting costs to and from appointments.
- Consider legal representation for help to file a forklift accident claim to recover your largest available damages award.
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How Do OSHA Safety Regulations Affect Forklift Accident Injury Claims?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces regulations to ensure the safe operation of forklifts in the workplace. Non-compliance with these regulations can significantly impact injury claims resulting from forklift accidents.
For instance, if an employer fails to provide adequate training to forklift operators, as mandated by OSHA standards, and an accident occurs, this negligence can be used as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit to establish liability. Additionally, OSHA has the authority to conduct inspections and investigations following workplace accidents. If violations are found, employers may face penalties, fines, or legal actions, further influencing the outcome of related injury claims.
Workers who perceive that they are at risk of injury from a forklift accident can file a safety complaint with OSHA. An experienced construction accident attorney will typically investigate a company’s history of OSHA violations to support claims in a forklift injury lawsuit.
More importantly, OSHA regulations protect workers who file complaints from retaliation by their employers. An injured worker cannot be terminated for reporting an employer’s safety violations or filing a lawsuit to recover damages for forklift accident injuries.
Contact Ellis Injury Law for Forklift Accident Legal Representation
At Ellis Injury Law, we represent workers who have suffered serious injuries in forklift accidents in Anaheim, Irvine, Oxnard, San Bernardino, and throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California.
We offer free, no-obligation case evaluations for all construction accident victims. If you have been hurt, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. If you retain our firm and we accept your case, you will pay nothing for our services unless we recover compensation for you.
