Based on reports from the National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities Surveillance System, 100 people die each year because of forklift accidents. A forklift injury can be serious or even fatal so it’s essential that you know what types of injuries merit a case.
According to the Industrial Truck Association, there is an estimated 855,900 forklifts in the United States and over 11% of them will be at the center of some type of workplace accident each year. The stark reality is that forklifts are
dangerous machines. They have the potential to cause devastating injuries, if they are not operated properly.
Some of the startling statistical data and types of injuries include the following:
- 42% of workers are crushed by a tip over;
- 25% of workers are crushed between the forklift and a surface;
- 10% of workers are either struck or run over by a forklift; and
- 4% of workers fall from a platform on the forks.
The most tragic part of this information is that many of these fatalities could have been prevented, if better training had been in place. Education and certification bring awareness to the potentially lethal damage a forklift can do. To protect yourself from a forklift injury, it is important to understand how this machine works before you take needless risks.
Driving a forklift is not like operating a motor vehicle. Unbalanced loads, improperly placed attachments, and even excessive grease can all lead to needless injuries.
Contact a Virginia Worker’s Compensation Attorney Today
The Richmond-based worker’s compensation attorney team at Injured Workers’ Law Firm represents everyday workers—people like you—throughout the state of Virginia who have experienced serious injuries, and we are prepared to answer each and every one of your questions thoughtfully.fore you talk to an insurance adjuster or even before you decide to hire an attorney, we urge you to order this FREE work injury guide. Then, once you feel ready to move forward as a claimant, give us a call at 1-804-755-7755 or toll-free at 1-877-755-7744. You can also contact us online today to schedule an appointment.
The Injured Workers Law Firm is a Richmond, Virginia based firm solely focused on serving clients with workers' compensation claims in Virginia. If you have questions about your benefits or if you would like more information on the Virginia Workers’ Compensation system, order our book, “The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia” , or call our office today (804) 755-7755.