Forklift Accidents

Forklift Injury Claims

Forklift trucks, commonly known as forklifts or FTAs, are used in many different industries to move heavy loads, to stack loads and to reach things that have been piled up high. These types of vehicles are very useful in the workplace, as they do their job efficiently and easily, and they are safe when used properly and with the proper safety measures in place.

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In the UK, around 10 people are killed annually in forklift accidents and many thousand injured, a figure that is far bigger than the number of workplace accidents caused by cars and HGVs combined. This figure is particularly shocking when you consider that many of these accidents and fatalities could have been prevented by carrying out proper risk assessments and acting on hazards that are identified.

The Dangers of Working with Forklifts

The Fork Lift Truck Association states that the biggest danger posed by forklifts in the workplace is when forklifts are used in places where people are walking around. It is very easy for a forklift driver to accidentally run over a pedestrian when they are concentrating on carrying a load or they can't see the pedestrian. Safety measures should be in place to keep forklifts and pedestrians completely apart.

The most common accidents involving forklifts are:-

-- Loads falling off a forklift and crushing someone.
-- A forklift overturning and crushing somebody.
-- A forklift pinning somebody between the truck and an object, floor or wall.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have found that the main causes of forklift accidents in the workplace are poor supervision of the use of these vehicles and a lack of training. Other causes of forklift accidents include obstacles, an uneven floor surface and inadequate work environment.

Measures that can be taken to protect drivers, other employees and members of the public from forklift accidents include:-

-- Caring for vehicles – Forklifts should be properly maintained and inspected regularly.
-- Using the right vehicle for the job – Forklifts come in all shapes and sizes and the correct type of vehicle should be chosen to match the tasks that it needs to carry out.
-- Ensuring that the workplace is adequate for a forklift.
-- Identifying potential risks and hazards.
-- Acting on risks and hazards that are identified.
-- Keeping forklifts away from pedestrians.

If you are injured in a forklift accident and your employer has not carried out these steps then you have an excellent chance of winning personal injury compensation because your employer can be seen to be negligent and liable for your accident.

Making a Forklift Injury Claim

As soon as possible after your accident, you should consult a personal injury solicitor for advice. It would help your case if your accident was logged or reported, and you will need to prove that you suffered a real injury as a result of your accident. Personal injury compensation will not take the pain and trauma away, but it can help pay medical bills and compensate you for lost earnings. In the case of a fatality, a family can seek compensation which can help the victim's dependants.

Many personal injury lawyers will work on a no win no fee basis, which takes the risk out of pursuing a personal injury compensation claim, and in most cases you will also be able to keep 100% of your compensation award. Your employer will have liability insurance to cover them in the event of a claim so you should not feel guilty about claiming against them. Remember, if your employer had taken the right steps to protect you then you would not be injured.

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