Forklift Accidents
Forklifts are a necessary part of any warehouse or construction site. When properly used, forklifts can reduce strain on workers and help make business more efficient. When improperly used, however, forklifts can create a major hazard for workers. Thousands of people are seriously injured from forklift accidents every year. The following is a breakdown of the different ways forklift accidents cause injuries.
- 27% of forklift accidents are caused by forklift tipovers
- 9% of forklift accidents are due to poor maintenance of the forklift
- 18% of forklift accidents involve employees or pedestrians colliding with forklifts
- 8% of forklift accidents occur when forklifts are mistakenly maneuvered off a loading dock or due to poor workplace design
- 4% of forklift accidents occur because of faulty use of a fork lift
- 14% of forklift accidents occur when a load spills from the forklift
- 14% of forklift accidents occur when forklifts are improperly used to lift workers
- 3% of forklift accidents occur because an operator loses control of the forklift
If a company falls under federal laws (most do), its use of forklifts is heavily regulated by the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA)(see section on construction accident laws) . A variety of states have also enacted laws regulating forklift operations.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident, please call us at The Law Offices of Jonathan B. Nelson, PC.
Crane accidents
Large and small construction sites rely on cranes to lift heavy objects onto higher elevation platforms. Cranes are usually operated by highly skilled employees who know the potential dangers of their job and take every possible safety precaution. Occasionally, however, work supervisors cut corners and allow poorly trained staff to operate cranes, do not properly inspect the crane, or instruct the operator to use it for a purpose for which it is not designed. Such actions create a hazard for the crane operator and all those working on or near a construction site. Due to such dangers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration laws of the Federal government (OSHA) provide specific guidelines for the operation of cranes on construction sites. For example, OSHA mandates that all crane attachments not exceed the rating and scope for which the manufacturer specifies.
The most common crane accident injuries result from electrocution (see Common Construction Accident Injuries). If a crane accidentally comes into contact with a power line, anyone who is touching any part of the crane or is working nearby faces a grave threat of serious injury or death. Employers are responsible for inspecting work sites for these kinds of hazards and failure to do so may be negligence under the law. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a crane accident, please contact The Law Offices of Jonathan B. Nelson, PC. We will be zealous advocates for your right to fair compensation.
Falling Objects
Falling objects are an ever present danger to workers and bystanders at construction sites. Engineering innovations now permit a seemingly flimsy board or piece of metal to hold thousands of pounds of weight. If a structure is put together haphazardly, a worker standing beneath it faces a potentially catastrophic injury or death. The danger does not always come from large loads. Even a small hand tool, if placed at a high enough elevation, can cause a traumatic brain injury or other trauma if it strikes a worker below. In summary, falling objects are an ever present danger. Employers and other workers have a responsibility to take precautions to avoid these types of injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by a falling object, please call The Law Offices of Jonathan B. Nelson, PC. We will help to determine the responsible party, negotiate with the insurance companies, help file for workers compensation benefits, and if necessary, pursue the matter through litigation.
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