Like all heavy construction equipment, forklifts pose a serious risk to their operators and to those nearby. Millions of forklifts are operated on construction sites every day, and thousands of people are injured or killed in forklift accidents each year.
Forklift accidents can occur as a result of many things. Accidents can be traced back to improper training of the driver, improper maintenance of the equipment, a bad operating environment, failure to obey safety rules, negligent operation, heavy loads, or an overly ambitious production schedule.
Whatever the causes for forklift accidents, the consequences can be very serious. Injuries can occur when a load falls from a forklift, or when a forklift knocks over materials or structures (such as scaffolding). Injuries or death can occur if the forklift gets into an accident with other construction equipment, or if it rolls over on its operator.
Some forklift accidents are simple worker's compensation claims. But if an accident is caused by negligence on the part of a construction site company or the forklift manufacturer, it can become a personal injury court case. In these circumstances, the injured party or their family can recover damages for injuries, missed work, and emotional suffering.
As experienced Manhattan accident attorneys, we have represented many injured workers in construction-related forklift accident cases in and around the New York City area. Some of the cases included:
- Injuries from an overturned forklift
- Injuries sustained falling off a forklift
- Injuries from being hit by a racing forklift
- Impaired forklift driving
- Poorly- maintained forklifts
In New York forklift accident cases, the injured party needs to prove negligence on the part of the forklift operator, the forklift manufacturer, the construction site foreman, or the construction company, and they must prove that this negligence led directly to their injuries. If they can do this, they will be eligible to recover damages for their injuries.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a New York forklift accident, call the experienced Manhattan accident attorneys at Rapport, Glass, Greene and Levine. We offer a free consultation about the specific details of your case, and we can go over your options with you.
