Forklifts, also known as lift trucks, are most commonly used in warehouses, factories, and construction sites as a way to easily load and transport heavy materials. Forklift drivers are required to receive proper training to ensure that they are not only safe but that they keep others around them safe as well. Unfortunately, when drivers do not receive this training, accidents and severe injuries can occur. 

If you have been injured in a forklift accident, contact Agruss Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Agruss Law Firm, LLC is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice. 

Forklifts and OSHA 

OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has recognized that forklifts can be dangerous and thus they have enacted requirements in the training and safe operation of these machines. Some of the requirements from OSHA include: 

• Operating at a safe speed-Speeding in a forklift can cause the machine to tip over, increasing the risk of injuring the driver and bystanders.
• Starting and stopping-Drivers should watch their blind spots before starting the forklift and always use the brake when stopped.
• Turning, reversing, and inclines-Each of these issues can cause a forklift to tip and extreme caution should be used when a forklift is being used in any of these situations.
• Mounting and dismounting-Workers getting into or out of a forklift can slip and fall.
• Visibility-Poor lighting, lack of safety mirrors, and overloading a forklift can make it difficult for the driver to see and increase the likelihood that they will injure themselves or others around them.

Safety Issues with Forklifts 

If a forklift driver fails to follow the safety protocols enacted by OSHA, or they are not properly trained, they can cause serious injuries, which can include: 

• Hitting other people
• Crushing injuries
• Imbalanced and/or dropped loads

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 20,000 people are injured every year by forklifts, while an estimated 100 people lose their lives, 25% of which are due to an overturning forklift. 

Forklift injuries are often severe due to the size and weight of the forklift itself, or the cargo being transported. Crushing and pinning injuries are typically the most common and severe, leaving victims with a permanent disability, disfigurement, amputations, and death. 

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.

We at Agruss Law Firm are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Agruss Law Firm, we put People, First. 

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected] or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.