Getting hurt in a forklift accident can be a traumatic experience that may result in many issues, such as expensive medical bills, missed work, and debilitating injuries. But don’t worry; a Long Beach forklift accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to regain your health and make up for lost wages.
The attorneys at Morelli Law Firm have advocated on behalf of injured workers since 1998. We’re aware of the rules and regulations your employer must follow to keep you safe. If we find evidence that your workplace was unsafe or that another employee contributed to your accident, we’ll take the steps necessary to hold them liable for your losses and injuries.
What to Do When a Workers’ Compensation Claim doesn’t Cut It
If you’ve suffered severe injuries, a workers’ comp settlement might not be enough to cover all your expenses. In that case, you may have to file a lawsuit to recover the damages you deserve. Luckily, our forklift accident attorneys in Long Beach, NY, are skilled trial attorneys. They’ll take the actions required to obtain a fair verdict on your behalf.
There are limits to how much compensation you can get from a workers’ comp claim, but not from a lawsuit. In New York, there’s no cap on the damages you can receive from a court verdict. If your employer’s insurance coverage doesn’t cover all your losses, a lawyer from our firm can help you get as much compensation as possible via a personal injury lawsuit.
We’ll Determine Who Should Be Held Liable for Your Injuries
To obtain the compensation you need to get your life back on track, we can take legal action against the at-fault party, but first, we’ll have to find out who was responsible for your accident. A forklift accident lawyer in Long Beach, NY, can collect evidence to shed light on the factors that led to your incident.
Your attorney can review security camera footage from your workplace, interview witnesses, and refer to your employer’s official accident report to find out what caused the accident. In most cases, an employer or fellow employee is held responsible for injuries caused by workplace negligence.
Holding Your Employer Liable
According to OSHA, employers must vet workers to make sure they have the proper training and certification to operate a forklift safely. Employers are also obligated to foster a safe work environment, provide proper safety equipment, and ensure that the company’s forklifts are well maintained.
If we find that your employer failed to comply with OSHA requirements, we can take legal action against them. That said, there may be other parties that are to blame. We’ll make sure to thoroughly investigate your accident to identify all individuals and entities who may be at fault.
Taking Action Against Another Employee
While your employer may be held responsible for failing to properly vet or train an employee, there’s a point where negligent employees have to take responsibility for their actions. We could file a lawsuit against one of your co-workers if we find that they contributed to the accident in one or more of the following ways:
- Overloading a forklift
- Driving a forklift too fast
- Driving a forklift recklessly
- Raising a forklift’s load too high
- Disregarding their surroundings while operating a forklift
While you may feel guilty about filing a lawsuit against one of your co-workers, getting the compensation you’re owed is important. You shouldn’t have to feel bad about doing what’s right for your health, financial stability, and emotional well-being.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Another Party
Parties that aren’t directly tied to your company may also be held liable for the accident. For example, if the incident was caused by a faulty forklift or a defective forklift component, your Long Beach forklift accident attorney may take action against a manufacturer.
Third-party contractors may also be targeted. If a contracted employee made a mistake or engaged in negligent behavior, causing you to suffer injury, they may be held responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and other setbacks.
Long Beach Forklift Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Compensation You Can Get With the Help of a Skilled Lawyer
Injuries suffered in construction accidents and other incidents involving forklifts can leave victims with a number of different losses and long-term challenges. Fortunately, a forklift accident attorney from our team in Long Beach can calculate your settlement value and determine which damages you’re eligible to receive.
Then, we’ll fight for the following damages on your behalf:
- Current and ongoing medical expenses
- Future medical care costs
- Cost of medication, rehabilitative therapy sessions, and assistive devices
- Missed paychecks
- Decreased earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages can help you pay your bills and support your family while you take time off from work to heal. We strongly recommend contacting an attorney ASAP to give yourself the best chance to receive the damages you’re owed.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer As Soon as Possible
Hiring an attorney immediately after an accident is critical to the success of your case. Taking prompt action will ensure that your attorney is able to collect evidence and testimonies before important documents go missing and witnesses’ memories fade.
Getting started on your case ASAP can also help your lawyer comply with New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. According to CVP § 214, you have three years from the date of your forklift accident to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit in Long Beach.
Delaying legal action could cause you to miss your filing deadline, which could prevent you from getting the damages you need to get back on your feet. Contact our firm today to connect with a lawyer who can gather evidence and file your lawsuit in a timely manner.
Contact Our Firm for a Free Case Evaluation
Don’t let your time to file a lawsuit run out! Instead, contact a skilled Long Beach forklift accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm today to discuss your accident via a free case evaluation. An attorney from our firm will ask you about your injuries and losses and determine if filing a civil suit is right for you.
If we agree to take on your case, we’ll draw on all our resources to get you the compensation you need. We’ve secured impressive case results for injured workers before, and we’re prepared to do everything we can to obtain a fair verdict for you.