What Are the Most Common Types of Forklift Accidents?

Despite rigorous safety protocols, forklifts remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries nationwide. As materials movers in nearly every industrial sector, forklifts are indispensable tools that also pose daily risks.

Forklift accidents can have devastating financial and legal consequences for operators and their employers. If an incident results in injuries, the affected worker may generally pursue compensation through workman’s comp and possibly a personal injury claim.

If you’ve been hurt in a forklift incident, don’t automatically assume it was “just an accident” or that you are to blame. A Lafayette construction accident lawyer can help you identify negligent causes of forklift incidents that may help you understand the best avenues for recovering compensation.

Causes of Forklift Accidents

Here are some of the most common types of forklift accidents and their contributing causes:

Overturns

Due to their design of raising heavy loads above the operator cabin, forklifts are inherently top-heavy and susceptible to turnover if not operated carefully. The center of gravity shifts significantly when carrying elevated loads versus traveling unladen.

Even slight leans or excessive deceleration can cause a forklift to lose balance and tip over in these conditions.

Collisions

Forklifts blocking aisles or operating in confined spaces easily lead to collisions with other vehicles, shelving, or solid objects. Poor visibility in some models contributes to impact incidents.

Struck-by

Struck-by incidents occur when a pedestrian is hit by a moving forklift. As forklifts have large blind spots directly in front and behind them, pedestrians are highly susceptible if they walk too close or cross the operator’s path without being seen.

Falls

Falls from heights occur when operators position themselves outside of protective overhead guards or railings, sometimes to reach items on high shelves. Lack of fall protection and lack of safety training enables these events.

Pinch Point

Forklifts present numerous pinch points during common tasks such as loading, unloading, positioning, and transporting materials. The space between the forklift mast and payload is an obvious pinch zone, as the arms or hands of an operator could become pinned while guiding a load into place.

Similarly, the area on either side of a loaded pallet presents a crush risk if an employee stands too close during transport.

Crush Injuries

Another common type of serious forklift accident results from crushing or compressive injuries. This occurs when a person becomes pinned between a forklift and a fixed or stationary object like shelving, racks, walls, or other equipment. This can happen in tight spaces, around blind corners, or when the operator’s visibility is limited.

The risk of crushing injuries is high in warehouse or storage environments where forklifts routinely operate in narrow aisles filled with shelving on both sides.

If a pedestrian is unseen by the operator and walks too closely behind or beside a forklift that is maneuvering or retrieving pallets, they risk becoming trapped between the heavy machinery and shelving or racking.

Objects Falling

One frequent type of forklift accident results from falling objects. This can occur when loads are stacked or stacked too high without proper restraints like straps or nets. If the load shifts during transport, turns, or sudden stops, it risks losing its balance and partially or fully tipping off the forks.

Pedestrians underneath an unstable load are then vulnerable to being struck by tumbling items. Forklifts carrying material on elevated racks or stacks above head height are another scenario where dislodged cargo can fall considerable distances.

Addressing visibility, load limits, traffic controls, guarding, training deficiencies, and safety compliance auditing can help reduce common forklift accident causation factors and protect workers

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Forklift Accident?

In cases where the accident occurred at a workplace, such as a construction site, it may be initially assumed that the employer would be liable under workers’ compensation laws. However, there are situations where third parties or entities may also be responsible for the injuries suffered.

To determine liability, multiple factors are taken into consideration. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can evaluate:

• Whether the accident was caused by negligence or wrongful conduct
• Potential violations of safety regulations or standards
• The role of each party involved

If multiple companies or contractors were working simultaneously at the construction site, they may share liability for any damages or injuries that occurred.

Additionally, if defective equipment or maintenance issues contributed to the accident, manufacturers or maintenance providers could also be held accountable.

What Injuries Are Common in Forklift Accidents?

Here are some common injuries that can occur in forklift accidents:

• Crushing/compression injuries: Being pinned under a forklift or between it and another object can cause broken bones, lacerations, and internal injuries. Chest or back crushing can damage vital organs.
• Fractures and broken bones: Falls from height, struck-by impacts, or having limbs caught in pinch points often involve fractures of the legs, pelvis, spine, arms, or ribs.
• Amputations: Being pinned in pinch points or having a body part hit or run over can cause the loss of digits, hands, feet, or limbs in serious cases.
• Head injuries: Not wearing a helmet during falls, impacts, or load shifts atop forklifts can lead to concussions, lacerations, or traumatic brain injuries.
• Back injuries: Sudden stops, jolts, or trying to catch falling loads can strain or injure the lower back through overexertion.
• Scrapes, lacerations, and punctures: Contact with sharp or jagged cargo, machinery, or rack edges during collisions or falls often causes deep cuts.
• Muscle and tendon strains: Repetitive motions like manually maneuvering heavy objects lead to pulls and tears over time.

Prompt medical care is critical, as even seemingly minor injuries from forklift accidents can lead to long-term health consequences without proper medical attention and rehabilitation.

Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm for Help Identifying the Cause of Your Forklift Accident

If you work near forklifts, you run the chance of encountering a variety of hazards. If something does go wrong, you can seek help determining your best legal options for pursuing compensation.

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Laborde Earles can help evaluate individual accident circumstances to determine whether negligence or safety protocol violations contributed to the event.

For a free case evaluation to discuss your accident situation and legal rights, contact us today.