West Virginia Forklift Accident Lawyer
Forklifts: Dangerous Source of Industrial Injury
As the most widely-used, powered industrial truck, the forklift can be found in any typical manufacturing facility, in warehouses, grocery stores or on construction sites. Statistics show it is often the most dangerous piece of industrial equipment in America, resulting in serious workplace injuries, even death.
Training employees in safe forklift operation and safety guidelines to prevent workplace accidents is the responsibility of every employer. In West Virginia, in addition to your workers' compensation claim, you may be able to bring a claim against an employer, or third party, who is negligent or in violation of safety standards. When you have a workplace injury, a West Virginia workers' compensation lawyer can offer the legal representation you need to seek recourse and compensation.
Forklift Accident Attorney in West Virginia
Safe forklift operation requires an awareness of workplace conditions. It is also the responsibility of an employer to identify and guard against potential hazards in the workplace. About 100 workers are killed in forklift-related accidents each year in the United States. There are 20,000 serious injuries attributable to forklifts, and 34,000 workers require treatment in emergency rooms every year. Tipovers or overturns are the leading cause of forklift fatalities. Trying to get the job done quickly rather than safely, failures to train employees in safe operation and failures to guard against the hazards of forklift operation, all may result in accidents. There are several types of forklift accidents:
- Tipovers due to excess loads
- Striking pedestrians or other workers
- Overturn due to uneven or obstructed ramps or grades
- Falling debris hits the operator
- Overloading results in load loss or floor collapse
- Elevating an employee resulting in fall accidents
- Breathing hazardous fumes in enclosed locations
- Defective equipment is used
When any of these circumstances of negligence or safety violations results in a workplace injury, the Fitzsimmons Firm stands ready to serve you.
Contact a West Virginia forklift accident la wyer today for experienced, competent representation of forklift injury accident or death claim.