Phoenix Forklift Accident Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Construction Site Forklift Accidents
In April 2011, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released new statistics for forklift accidents. In the past, forklift accidents have been the leading cause of injuries on construction sites and in other industrial sectors, and that does not change with this report. If you sustain injury in a construction forklift accident, you should consider seeking the counsel of an Phoenix construction accident lawyer who practices in workers' compensation and personal injury law.
The forklift is one of the most frequently used pieces of heavy equipment on a construction site, so it holds true that the accident rates are high. No matter how you view it, though, the figures are shocking:
- About 100 fatalities a year
- 61,800 injuries a year
- Over 34,900 serious injuries a year
According to OSHA, there are an estimated 856,000 operating forklifts in the U.S., so at the time of this report, 11 percent of those forklifts are involved in accidents. A forklift has an operating life of approximately eight years, during which time there is a high probability that its operator is at risk for an accident and injury.
The most common injuries sustained in Phoenix forklift accidents can be broken down:
- 42 percent are vehicle tip-overs, crushing the operator
- 25 percent are crushing injuries to a worker between the vehicle and another surface
- 11 percent are crushing injuries to a worker between the forklift and another vehicle
- 8 percent are drivers or other workers being struck by falling objects or debris
Other accident causation includes the following:
- When a truck being loaded or unloaded by a forklift pulls away from the dock without warning and the forklift crashes to the pavement below, otherwise known as "off the dock"
- Driver ejection
- Unsafe driving conditions typical on a construction site, such as congested pathways, narrow aisles, obstructions and low visibility
Besides the crushing injuries mentioned above, other potential injuries include these:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Brain injuries
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death
It is no surprise that OSHA issued approximately 2,909 citations and $2 million in penalties for the violation of OSHA standards associated with forklifts last year.
All workers are entitled to a safe working environment, even on a construction site. If you are injured in a forklift accident, you are entitled to compensation under the law. You are usually entitled to workers' compensation benefits, and if the negligence of a third party contributed to your injuries, you also have the option of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for damages not covered under workers' compensation laws.
Call our Phoenix construction forklift accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation. We offer professional services with a personal touch.
