Forklifts, or Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs), are great tools that make work easier, mostly in construction sites, warehouses, grocery stores, and many other workplaces. Unfortunately, forklifts are also dangerous and cause serious injuries. A Clifton forklift accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can look at your case and help you find the best way to claim compensation for your damages.
Compensation is important in forklift accidents because many victims face hospital bills and can even lose their jobs due to injuries. For many, getting damages from the responsible parties is the only way to care for their family or recover from injuries. However, there are some things to consider before starting a legal claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Forklift Accident in Clifton, NJ
A workplace manager or company can be liable for a forklift accident injury, particularly when they do not follow the law. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), forklift operators must be at least 18 years old, receive proper training, and the workplace must follow OSHA safety procedures and regulations.
Managers and forklift operators must also follow loading procedures and avoid overloading since that could be dangerous for the operator and people around. A forklift accident lawyer in Clifton, NJ, can look at your case and determine if any procedure was overlooked.
Common Types of Forklift Accidents
Forklift accident injuries can occur in all types of accidents, but in most cases, they result from someone’s negligence. These are some of the forklift accidents our attorneys have solved most frequently:
- Accidents caused for lack of proper training
- Forklift malfunction
- Falling objects
- Overturned forklift
- Forklift overloading accidents
- Forklift rollover accidents
Forklifts are used in various companies and workplaces, so there are endless ways an accident can happen. Therefore, you might be entitled to damages if you or a loved one experienced one of these or any other forklift accident. Contact your Clifton forklift accident attorney to determine if you have a valid claim.
Clifton Forklift Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
How to Claim Damages After a Forklift Accident?
Your actions right after a forklift accident can help your attorney build a solid case and claim all the damages you deserve. However, some things can also affect your claim and prevent you from getting damages. These are some legal recommendations to protect your health and claim rights.
Get Medical Attention
Medical attention is one of the most important things after a forklift accident. Medical attention will prevent any further damage, but it will also leave a medical record. Your forklift lawyer can use those documents to strengthen your claim.
Insurance companies and workplace administrations can be liable for your damages. Medical attention is still important, even if you feel fine after a forklift accident. That is because many injuries, such as muscle strains, can take days or even weeks to manifest. And If you already said “I feel fine” to someone, you may lose the right to get damages when the injury appears.
Gather Evidence
Getting damages depends on various factors, and the evidence you present can play an important role. If your injuries after the accident allow it, you can take pictures and videos using your phone. Show your injuries, the forklift, and any other detail that shows the liable party or the consequences of the accident.
The evidence you present can help you get more damages, but it can also help your lawyer determine who is liable for the accident. They will use that information to find other parties who may share liability.
Know How to Defend Your Rights After a Forklift Accident
Forklift accidents can get complicated because many parties could be responsible. Most accidents occur at the workplace, so you may need to file a worker’s comp claim. However, knowing workers’ compensation state rights and how to proceed is important.
Things can get complicated when the accident is caused by a malfunctioning forklift or another party, such as a customer, employee, or pedestrian. But your Clifton forklift accident attorney will know how to deal with any situation.
Clifton Forklift Accident Injuries
A forklift can weigh up to 9,000 pounds and can be used to load and unload pallets and containers from high places. A forklift load can also have an uneven distribution or obstruct the operator’s view. Because of that, forklift accidents can cause many injuries, such as:
- Back and neck injuries. Constant vibration while operating a forklift can lead to severe back and neck injuries while lifting heavy loads can strain the back and cause spinal damage. Accidents can also jolt the operator’s spine, causing back and neck injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Forklift accidents can cause severe head injuries, resulting in traumatic brain injuries, one of the most severe. That can occur when the operator is thrown from the forklift or if the forklift tips over and strikes their head.
- Foot and leg injuries. Forklifts can cause severe foot and leg injuries. An operator can run over someone’s foot or leg or strike someone. These injuries can cause significant pain and require extensive and costly medical treatment.
- Cuts and lacerations. Sharp edges on the forklift or cargo can cause cuts and lacerations if a worker is struck by it or when a sharp object falls upon it. These injuries can be minor or severe, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Contact a Forklift Accident Attorney in Clifton, NJ
Forklift accidents in Clifton, NJ, can cause severe injuries and greatly impact a victim’s life and finances. When the accident was caused by someone else, victims may be entitled to pursue damages or file a worker’s compensation claim.
However, filing a forklift accident injury claim can get complex and confusing, particularly for someone recovering from injuries. Contact Morelli Law Firm today to determine how much compensation you can get. We will happily answer all your legal questions in a free consultation