How Can I Be Injured in a Forklift Accident?

Forklifts are part of the scenery in any warehouse environment. They can lift heavy objects higher than any person can, making the movement and storage of goods within the warehouse more efficient and ultimately, making the warehouse staff more productive. Like any other piece of heavy machinery, a forklift can cause serious injuries or even death if it is not used correctly or with the proper safety precautions. Sometimes, an individual can even be injured in a forklift accident despite taking proper care to use it correctly because of a malfunction or a hazard in the warehouse, such as an uneven floor or a broken entry ramp.

Some examples of the injuries that you can sustain in a forklift accident include:

• Broken bones;
• Sprains;
• Strains;
• Cuts;
• Bruises;
• Burns;
• Head trauma from an impact with the forklift or other object in a collision;
• Organ trauma from being crushed between a forklift and a wall or other object; and
• Dislocations.

If you are injured in a forklift accident, seek medical attention as soon as you can. Prompt medical care can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a much longer, more expensive recovery period.

A forklift injury can leave you paralyzed or disabled for life. In less critical situations, an injury can keep you out of work for a prolonged period of time, severely impacting your financial health. In any case where you may be facing significant expenses after an accident, consider seeking monetary compensation for your expenses through a workplace injury claim against the party responsible for your injury. Depending on the circumstances of your injury, this party may be your employer, the owner of the property where your accident occurred, or the manufacturer of the forklift that malfunctioned.

It is possible to file both a workers' compensation claim and another type of claim, depending on the circumstances of your individual case. For example, if you are injured at work, but a third party is also partially at fault, you can seek both workers' compensation and a third party claim. An example of this type of scenario is a case where you are injured in an accident caused by another company's employee acting recklessly.

If you have been injured in a forklift accident and you want to learn more about seeking compensation for your economic damages, contact Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. today to schedule your free consultation with a passionate San Jose workplace accident attorney at our firm. We can determine the negligent party in your case and advise you about the best way to proceed with your claim. Our firm proudly serves clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County. Do not wait to begin working on your workplace injury claim with us – contact our firm today to be a step closer to the money you deserve.