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Forklift accidents are one of the most common types of work accidents in the U.S. and often result in major injuries. Crushed limbs, head injuries, back injuries and death are very common.
The financial hardship which results from a major forklift accident is usually very severe. When workers are injured in forklift accidents, not only are they left with such significant injuries, they are often unable to return to work. For an average American family, the loss of income may mean losing the house or having to transfer kids to different schools.
Workers injured in forklift accidents while on the job often forgo seeking legal help from a forklift accident lawyer. Most workers tend to think that their only recourse is filing a workers’ compensation claim. This is the reason they never seek advice from an actual forklift accident lawyer and instead only hire a workers’ compensation lawyer. Workers are hard wired to think that work accident = workers’ compensation and that’s it.
Related: Workplace Accident Safety – Forklift Operation & Visibility
Forklift Accident Tort Lawsuits – Beyond Workers’ Compensation
While workers’ compensation can help keep a family afloat after a serious forklift accident, in the long term, workers’ compensation simply cannot provide the type of financial security a tort lawsuit can. For one, workers’ compensation benefits do not cover pain and suffering.
What most workers do not realize is that they can file BOTH a workers’ comp claim AND a forklift accident tort lawsuit.
The U.S. civil justice system recognizes that those injured due to the negligence of others may file tort lawsuits to receive financial compensation for their injuries and losses. In a forklift accident case, that means being able to obtain financial recovery for the following:
- medical bills,
- lost wages,
- other out of pocket expenses and financial losses, and
- pain and suffering damages.
In especially serious injury cases, such as a forklift crush injury case, an injured worker can receive financial compensation for past losses or those that have already occurred. Injured workers can also receive compensation for future expenses, future lost wages and future pain and suffering damages.
Forklift accident tort claims often involve claims of negligence in the operation of a forklift, negligence in training a forklift operator and/or negligence in providing a safe work environment. In addition, there may be a valid defective forklift manufacture claim and/or a negligence forklift maintenance claim. Potential defendants or liable parties often include:
- contractors (general and sub),
- forklift manufacturing companies, and
- forklift maintenance companies.
More: Forklift Accidents at Work in Pennsylvania – Workplace Issues Leading to Forklift Accidents
Forklift Accident Legal Help
For a free evaluation of your forklift accident case, please call Click To Call. Our forklift accident lawyers are licensed in PA, NJ, WV and IL and also accept cases across the U.S., on a case by case basis. We welcome calls from local counsel.
DISCLAIMER: This website does not create any attorney-client relationship or provide legal advice. It is crucial to speak to a qualified lawyer prior to making any decision about your case. Read full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
