Overview
Forklifts present a unique set of challenges during operation due to their size and weight. If something goes wrong, operators, onsite workers and any pedestrians or drivers in the area run the risk of sustaining serious bodily harm.
Some common causes of forklift accidents and related injuries include an unstable and/or elevated load, lack of operator training, faulty or poorly maintained machinery, excessive speed and/or improper turns, and poor use of hazard warnings and markings in the workplace, among others.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 60,000 forklift-related injuries and 614 forklift-related fatalities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2017. At the same time, more than 7,000 nonfatal injuries with days away from work occurred every year. Since 2017, the number of fatal and nonfatal injuries caused by forklift accidents has only increased further. According to the National Safety Council:
- 79-work-related deaths were caused by forklift accidents in 2019
- 8,140 nonfatal injuries (involving days away from work) were caused by forklift accidents in 2019
- Forklift accidents happened most often in industries including: service providing industries, trade, transportation and utilities and goods-producing industries.
As a leading Massachusetts personal injury law firm, we recognize that injured people are entitled to damages for their pain and suffering. Our forklift accident attorneys work to provide a comfortable atmosphere where victims’ needs are met with tenacious advocacy. We will make sure every aspect of the forklift accident in question is well-documented to enhance our ability to produce compelling evidentiary presentations. If deemed necessary, we will also employ a team of medical experts who can speak to the extent of injuries caused by the accident.
We employ a unique team approach in order to ensure no stone is left unturned as we review all facts related to your forklift accident case. By utilizing this method, the team at Sheff & Cook has been able to achieve maximum compensation in a wide variety of personal injury cases for decades.
