National Forklift Safety Day

The construction industry highlights the importance of safely maintaining and operating forklifts on National Forklift Safety Day.  Held in Washington, D.C. on June 11, the day focuses on the need for safe use of forklifts and increased operator training.

As forklift use increases in the workplace, the goal of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) is to decrease the number of forklift accidents. Over the last 65 years, the ITA has worked with the forklift industry to develop safety standards for the design, use, operation, and maintenance of forklifts. By raising awareness of the safety issues in the forklift industry, organizers hope to reduce the risk of injury for forklift operators throughout the country.

Safe Use of Forklifts

Forklift accidents frequently result from operator error or equipment malfunction. With this in mind, the safe use of forklifts begins with adequate operator training and daily equipment checks. All forklift operators must be thoroughly trained before using a forklift. Safety research shows the performance scores of forklift operators improve by 61 percent after they complete training. Serious accidents can occur when employers fail to properly supervise workers or allow untrained workers to operate a forklift.

Defective forklift equipment is another major cause of accidents. When the forklift malfunctions, the operator may be unable to prevent an accident. In many cases, injured workers can obtain compensation from the manufacturers, marketers, or sellers of faulty forklifts.

Help for Workers Injured in Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents can cause serious injuries leading to a temporary or permanent inability to return to work. Injured forklift workers often face huge medical expenses as they seek treatment for physical injuries, including broken bones, concussions or other traumatic brain injuries, back sprains, or internal bleeding. These types of injuries may require doctor visits, hospital stays, medication, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other types of costly medical treatment.

Even workers who had pre-existing health problems at the time they were injured in a forklift accident may be entitled to compensation if the accident made their medical condition worse. By filing a Workers’ Compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit against a third party responsible for the accident, injured workers can obtain compensation for their injuries.

Philadelphia Forklift Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Assist Injured Workers

If you or a loved one was injured in a forklift accident, the experienced Philadelphia forklift injury lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP are here to help. We are dedicated to helping workers obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or submit an online inquiry form today. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas, including Allentown, Harrisburg, and New Jersey.