You are bound to find a forklift at any warehouse, construction site, or industrial facility. These machines can help make moving heavy materials easier for workers. While these are helpful tools, they can cause serious injuries and even fatalities when not used properly on the job site.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident in Louisville, you may have to take legal action. Sometimes, these incidents directly result from another person’s or entity’s negligence. In these situations, you could be entitled to compensation.
At Thomas Law Offices, we know the liability issues surrounding forklift incidents. A Louisville forklift accident lawyer is committed to helping victims hold negligent parties accountable. Allow us to fight to get you the financial compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Reach out for an initial consultation today.
How Do Forklift Accidents Happen?
Accidents with forklifts happen more often than they should. According to data compiled by the National Safety Council, there were 15,480 forklift incidents that required injured workers to take time away from work in 2022. Even more unsettling is that 73 of these incidents led to a worker’s death.
Unfortunately, many of these incidents result from negligence or safety violations. Anyone operating a forklift or working around the machine needs to take extreme caution. However, even with these precautions, these accidents can happen. Some common causes include:
- Operator error: Inexperienced or improperly trained forklift operators can cause accidents, especially when operating in tight spaces or around other workers.
- Improper maintenance: Forklifts must be inspected and maintained to make sure they are in safe working condition. Failure to perform proper maintenance can lead to mechanical failure or malfunction.
- Overloading: When someone exceeds the forklift’s weight capacity, it can cause it to tip over, resulting in serious injuries to the operator and others nearby.
- Poor workplace conditions: When there are cluttered work areas, uneven flooring, or insufficient lighting, those factors can all contribute to dangerous forklift accidents.
- Lack of safety training: Employers are required to provide proper safety training to all forklift operators. When companies fail to do so, it can cause devastating accidents.
Most of these causes are the direct result of negligence. If you believe that was a factor in your case, you could have a valid legal claim for a personal injury lawsuit. Our Louisville forklift accident lawyer will be able to assess your situation and get the answers you need.
Have You Suffered These Injuries?
Forklifts are heavy, powerful machines. When they are involved in an accident, they can cause catastrophic injuries. These can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Crushed limbs or amputations
- Severe cuts or lacerations
- Internal injuries
Unfortunately, these injuries’ physical, emotional, and financial tolls can be a burden. Often, these victims cannot return to work for an extended period. A forklift accident lawyer in Louisville can help you recover compensation for your injuries so you can receive some financial help in these troubled times.
Liability in Louisville Forklift Accidents
When someone is responsible for your accident, you will want to hold them accountable. Proving liability in a forklift accident claim can be difficult. In many cases, multiple parties may share partial responsibility. These parties could include:
- The forklift operator: If the operator was negligent, improperly trained, or impaired while operating the forklift, they could be liable for the accident.
- The employer: Companies are responsible for ensuring the safety of their workers. They have failed to meet these responsibilities if they don’t provide proper training, maintain a safe work environment, and regularly inspect equipment. As a result, they may be held accountable for accidents that occur on the job.
- The manufacturer: If a defect in the forklift caused the accident, the manufacturer or distributor may be liable for injuries caused by the defective equipment.
- A third-party contractor: In some cases, third-party contractors working on the job site may also have some responsibility for creating unsafe working conditions or failing to follow safety protocols.
Our forklift accident lawyer in Louisville will thoroughly investigate the incident to determine who is at fault and pursue compensation from the negligent parties.
Is Compensation Available for These Accident Victims?
You may have suffered damages if you’ve been injured in a forklift accident. Once you have determined the negligent party or parties, you can seek compensation from them. Compensation can cover everything from medical bills to pain and suffering. Some of the recoverable damages could include:
- Medical expenses: This compensation can cover emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevented you from working, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages. If you have suffered long-term or permanent disabilities, you may also be entitled to compensation for diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Forklift accidents result in severe physical and emotional pain. This compensation can help you recover from the lasting impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
- Disability and disfigurement: If the accident resulted in permanent disability or disfigurement, you could be entitled to additional compensation for the long-term effects of your injuries.
- Wrongful death: Unfortunately, these accidents can result in fatalities. If your loved one was killed in a forklift accident, any surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
Not all cases will qualify for these types of compensation. You will need to talk to a skilled lawyer to determine your compensation damage awards.
Do You Need a Louisville Forklift Accident Lawyer?
After an accident, the last thing on your mind is taking on the insurance companies to get the compensation you deserve. But there is hope. At Thomas Law Offices, we are here to assist with this process. We want you to focus on recovering while we handle the fine points of your claim. Our legal team will work to:
- Investigate the accident and identify all liable parties
- Collect evidence, including safety records, witness statements, and expert testimony
- Handle all communication with insurance companies and opposing legal teams
- Negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to court to get your deserved compensation
We are dedicated to helping forklift accident victims secure the compensation they deserve. We know that these accidents can leave behind physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. Our law firm is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate legal representation you need in these difficult times.
Contact Thomas Law Offices to Assess Your Claim
Forklift accidents should never happen, especially when all the safety measures and protocols are followed. Many times, these cases are the direct result of negligence. Under those circumstances, you have the right to legally hold those parties accountable for their actions or inactions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident, make sure to contact our law firm. Reach out to Thomas Law Offices today to schedule a consultation. Our Louisville forklift accident lawyer is ready to assess the details of your case so you can start the process of recovery from this traumatic incident.
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