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Forklift Construction Accidents
Like all pieces of heavy machinery on a construction site, forklifts require careful operation by skilled and trained drivers. Forklifts also need to be properly maintained, as aging lifts, brakes, and other components can put forklift operators and others around them at risk for serious, and perhaps fatal, injuries. Unfortunately, forklift accidents on construction sites are an all-too-common occurrence, and it is usually innocent and unsuspecting workers who face the consequences.
Were you injured in a forklift accident? Have you suffered the tragic loss of a loved one under circumstances in which negligent forklift operation or maintenance may be to blame? If so, Levine Law is here to help. Our team of injury lawyers has successfully represented clients in construction accident cases throughout the Denver area, and we can help you seek maximum compensation for your financial and non-financial losses.
Common Factors in Forklift Accidents
The factors that can lead to forklift accidents on construction sites are almost too many to list. In many cases, several factors will converge to cause a forklift to overturn, drop its load, strike or pin a worker, or cause a worker to fall.
Getting to the bottom of forklift accidents requires a thorough investigation, and when we investigate these accidents we focus on uncovering issues such as:
Factors Involving Construction Companies and Contractors
Hiring untrained and inexperienced forklift operators
Inadequate training of forklift operators
Failure to provide necessary attachments or safety equipment
Failure to maintain forklifts or replace aging forklifts
Failure to ensure the safety of flooring and other surfaces
Requiring operation of forklifts in crowded, obstructed and high-traffic areas
Factors Involving Forklift Operators
Operating forklifts at excessive speed
Moving forklifts with elevated loads
Accelerating, backing up, braking and turning errors
Failure to warn nearby construction workers
Recklessness and horseplay with forklifts
Other safety violations
Factors Involving Fork Lift Mechanics and Loading Errors
Overloaded forklifts
Unstable loads
Loads that block the forklift operator’s vision
Brake, transmission and steering malfunctions
Lack of safety features or malfunctioning safety devices
Leaks in hydraulic systems and mast assembly issues
Forklift Accident? What to Do Now
If you were hurt in a forklift accident on a construction site, it is important to speak with an attorney about your rights. While you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, there are strict requirements to receive benefits (for example, under Colorado law, you must see your employer’s designated medical provider), and employers and their insurance companies will often fight to prevent employees from collecting the benefits they deserve. An experienced attorney will be able to help maximize your workers’ compensation benefits.
At Levine Law, we also represent construction workers and their families in claims for personal injury and wrongful death compensation. Since workers’ compensation benefits are limited, pursuing these types of claims can be critical to collecting the money you need to move on. For more information about what you need to do after a construction site accident, contact the Denver injury lawyers at Levine Law. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call 303-333-8000 or submit your case online today.
