Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents arelabeled as a type of construction accident occurringwhile operating a forklift, which is atype ofvehicle used for construction for the transport and lifting of objects.

The Mechanics of a Forklift
A forklift is made up of a palette attached to a mobile vehicle. The forklift cabin houses its operator, control panel, and mechanical system. The palette can beextended, lowered, raised, and retracted. Although the design of forklifts has changed alongside the advent of technology – including modifications to movement and structure – the innate duties of a forklift have remained fairly uniform.

Forklift Accidents

•    Forklift accidents can involve puncturing, striking, or piercing of an object; these types of forklift accidents take place in the event of impactoccurring between the palette and another object or individual.
•    Forklift accidents can involve the ejection of the forklift operator from the cab of the forklift; accidents of this nature have resulted in death and injury. Accidents of this naturecan occur as a result of negligent use, faulty equipment, and simple mechanical malfunction.
•    Forklift accidents involving objects that are dropped both from the palette of the forklift, as well as a result of impact can result in death or injury; forklift accidents of this nature include the dislodging of objects as a result of impact with the force of the forklift’s palette. This type of forklift accident can also result in property damage, as well as damage to the forklift itself.
•    Forklift accidents can involve the tumbling of the forklift resulting from of improper distribution of weight while operating the forklift. While operating a forklift, it is very important that the integrity of the center of gravity be maintained and monitored.

Avoiding Forklift Accidents

The United States’ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that any individual operating a forklift adhere to proper measures of operation, display proper certification, and fully understand all safety requirements in a forklift’s operation – in order to avoid forklift accidents. Furthermore, the following precautions and preventative measures must be taken, according to OSHA:
•    Routine and schedule maintenance of all forklifts must take place
•    Routine and scheduled inspection of all forklifts in order to ensure its working order must take place
•    The required updating of all certifications, licenses, and safety courses undergone by all forklift operators must take place
•    All forklift operators must wear protective equipment and display adequate signage alerting individuals of the required decorum in a construction zone

Forklift Accident Claims

The procedure utilized to establish fault and determine liability in forklift accidentsdiffer on a case by case basis with regard to all involved parties, including individual role(s), action(s), and behavior(s) within the scope of the forklift accidentsin question; the satisfaction of all required documentation prior to the filing of aforklift accidentsclaim should be completed to the fullest extent - in a detailed fashion. In the event that an individual experiences difficulty understanding the circumstances and procedures involved, they are encouraged to consult an attorney specializing in construction law, employment law, insurance law, commercial law, and labor law.