The Kansas City metropolitan area has a vast array of economic companies who have factories, warehouses, and construction sites which use forklifts and other heavy machinery to move materials and goods from one place to another. Forklifts are useful in helping transport heavy material, but they are also equally as dangerous and have the potential to cause serious and deadly accidents.
A recent research analysis of forklift accidents showed that over 1,000 deaths occurred due to injuries caused by a forklift over the past 15 years. Included in this figure are forklift overturns, workers walking by who were struck by a forklift, falls from a forklift, and individuals who were crushed.
Injuries can occur from forklifts that do not cause death but serious injuries such as having a foot, hand, arm, or leg trapped by the forklift that requires amputation. Additionally, a forklift may strike an individual causing them to fall to the ground which causes a traumatic brain injury.
American Forklift Accident Lawyer
It is the responsibility of the employers and workers that substantial steps are taking to avoid mishaps and ensure safety of workers and individuals around these types of heavy machinery. There certain guidelines that will help avoid forklift accidents.
- Maintenance and Routine Inspection: Much like semitrucks needing to take care of their vehicles, a forklift should be inspected daily or every time before the start of a shift. An inspection will review the proper functions of the forklift including the warning lights, horn, hydraulic levels, cracks or leaks in the hoses, tire pressure, and that all warning labels are easily read.
- Proper Training: The operation of a forklift is important because it should only be operated by licensed staff who are trained to operate them. Forklifts do not operate like normal vehicle so special training is required to operate them in a safe manner including loading and offloading heavy loads. Without proper training overturns are probable as well as injuries.
- Safety Equipment: Forklifts require that some safety equipment be used by the operators such as hard hats, helmets, seat belts, and other restraint systems.
All forklift-related incidents should be reported to your employer as soon as possible. Make sure that if you are involved in a forklift injury that pictures are taken of the scene, names of the witnesses are secured, and that, when possible, you narrate your version of the story while it is still clearest in your mind.
Forklift injuries can be the cause of negligence on the employer or a product liability on the manufacturer. A product liability claim would be one of a defective design of the forklift, failure to properly warn, defective manufacturing, or something similar. At Bautista LeRoy LLC we handle product liability claims and you can read more here.
At Bautista LeRoy LLC, we have extensive experience investigating and prosecuting forklift accidents. When you hire our firm, we will advance all costs associated with representing the client. If we do not win your case, the firm takes on the losses of the litigation costs. In fact, we only get compensated when we win the case. Simple as that. Give us a call at 833-381-6589 or contact us online.
Summary
Many businesses operate in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Many of these businesses use forklifts and other heavy machinery to move materials. These machines and equipment pose a danger to any individual who is near them. In the past 15 years, more than 1,000 people have been recorded as having died in forklift accidents. These accidents occur due to:
- Tip-overs
- Struck-by Incidents
- Crushing and Entrapment
- Fall
Employers and employees need to be very careful and follow safety rules to avoid these accidents. Some important things to consider with forklifts are:
- Check the forklift every day
- Make sure people are trained to use forklifts
- Wear safety gear when using forklifts
Ignoring these standards can cause serious problems. Sometimes the equipment is just not made right, which means the manufacturer may be held liable for a defective product.
Bautista LeRoy LLC helps people involved in forklift accidents. The firm conducts a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. With years of extensive experience, the attorneys of Bautista LeRoy LLC are determined to pursue justice for their clients and seek the maximum compensation the clients deserve.
If you or your loved one needs legal advice, Bautista LeRoy LLC offers a free consultation. You can call them at 833-381-6589 or visit their website for help with forklift accidents.
How dangerous are forklift accidents, really?
Forklift accidents are really dangerous. The weight of these machines can contribute to catastrophic accidents, even if they operate or run slowly.
What are the most common causes of forklift accidents?
Forklift accidents happen for several reasons. Some of these reasons are:
- Inadequate Operator Training - operator fails to meet the training certificate required
- Negligent Maintenance - no inspections before using the forklift
- Absence of Safety Devices - safety equipment on the forklift is missing
- Product Liability - defects in the forklift itself or in its components
What kinds of injuries can result from a forklift accident?
These accidents can be very serious and may cause permanent injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones, crushed limbs or amputations
- Internal injury
- Wrongful death
Who can be held responsible for a forklift accident?
The liability for the forklift accidents depends on what went wrong. Sometimes, it is not one person who is to blame. It could be:
- Employer - an employer does not ensure that workers follow safety rules.
- Manufacturer - assembles faulty forklifts or does not check the quality of the forklifts.
- Third-Party Contractors - failure to properly service the equipment.
What should I do immediately after a forklift accident?
To protect your well-being and your potential legal rights, you need to take these simple steps:
- Seek Medical Help
- Report the Incident
- Document the Scene
- Identify Witnesses
These steps can make a major difference later.
Can I file a claim if the forklift itself was defective?
Yes. You can file a complaint. It usually covers problems, like:
- Design defects
- Manufacturing defects
- Failure to warn
In these cases, the employer and the manufacturer may be responsible.
