Forklift Truck Accidents

Forklift Truck Accidents

Forklift trucks are a common sight in many workplaces – building sites, warehouses, merchant yards, DIY centres to name but a few – and increasingly we come across them in other walks of life as the popularity of cash and carry type shopping outlets continue to grow.

Although forklift accidents are thankfully rare in the context of how extensively they are used in the UK, that is little consolation to those that are unfortunate enough to find themselves involved in such an incident. When accidents do occur they often lead to serious injury or even fatalities due to the fact that these are heavy, powerful machines so even the smallest of collisions can have serious consequences.

Common accidents include:-

Collisions – either hitting someone directly or hitting another object onto someone

Crush injuries – such as running over feet or toes

Being hit by incorrectly stacked items – either being carried by the forklift itself or after stacking

Forklifts tipping over

Many of these accidents could be and should be avoided. If the trucks are properly serviced and maintained, the drivers are fully trained and correctly supervised and if they are used in the correct manner then accidents would be even rarer than they are. Unfortunately not all employers or even the employees driving the trucks stick to these basic and fundamental rules.

In our experience corners are sometimes cut in order to get tasks done quicker and cheaper. Training of the drivers maybe rushed and incomplete, maintenance checks may have been postponed or missed altogether and all too often staff can be fooling around or showing off with serious consequences.

Russell Worth are here to help. We have the experience and we have the knowledge to help you get the compensation you deserve if you or someone you know is injured by a forklift truck or similar machinery. Contact us now free of charge and without obligation to see if we can help.

We’re here to help – contact us today.