Forklift accidents can happen for a variety of reasons in the workplace, but some of the most common causes include operator error, lack of proper training, equipment malfunction, and unsafe working conditions.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are approximately 85 forklift fatalities and 34,900 serious injuries every year in the United States. Furthermore, forklift accidents are one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries, with an estimated 20,000 workers injured annually in the US due to forklift-related accidents.
Specifically, forklift accidents can occur when operators drive too fast, take turns too sharply, overload the forklift, fail to properly secure loads, or operate the forklift on uneven surfaces or inclines. Additionally, accidents can also happen due to the lack of visibility or communication between forklift operators and other workers on the job site.
News sources have reported on several forklift accidents that have occurred due to various causes such as operator error, equipment malfunction, and other factors. Here are examples that have occurred in recent years:
- 2018: A forklift operator at a steel plant in Indiana was killed when the forklift he was operating overturned and crushed him. The worker was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. (Source: Chicago Tribune)
- 2019: A man in Wisconsin was killed when a forklift he was operating overturned and landed on top of him. The forklift was carrying a load of bricks at the time of the accident. (Source: WEAU)
- 2020: A worker at a plastics factory in Illinois was killed when a forklift he was operating struck a metal beam and overturned, crushing him. The worker was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. (Source: ABC 7 Chicago)
- 2009: A forklift operator at a food warehouse in California was killed when the forklift he was operating fell off an elevated platform and crushed him. The operator was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
- 2011: A worker at a manufacturing plant in Ohio was killed when the forklift he was operating tipped over and pinned him underneath. The worker was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the forklift as it tipped over. (Source: The Blade)
- 2013: A man in the United Kingdom was killed when a forklift he was operating overturned and crushed him. The forklift was carrying a load of pallets at the time of the accident. (Source: The Guardian)
- 2015: A worker at a shipping port in California was killed when a forklift he was operating fell off a loading ramp and landed on its side, crushing the operator. The forklift was carrying a 25-ton container at the time of the accident. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
- 2017: A worker at a warehouse in New Jersey was killed when a forklift he was operating struck a wall and overturned, pinning him underneath. The worker was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. (Source: NJ.com)
If someone you love has been injured in a forklift accident, our experienced legal team can help you and your family seek justice and compensation.
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