San Antonio Forklift Accident Lawyer

If you have been hurt in a work accident involving a loading dock, a forklift, or other heavy equipment, you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Health and Safety, nearly 20,000 people in the United States are injured every year as a result of these workplace misfortunes. About one quarter of all deaths in these cases result from forklifts toppling over. Unfortunately, forklift accidents are relatively common. Forklifts are dangerous, and like all pieces of heavy machinery, must be operated with the highest level of caution.

Many Forklift Accidents are Preventable

Forklift accidents are especially tragic because so many of these accidents could have been prevented if more precautions were taken. Employers have a legal obligation to make reasonable efforts to protect the safety of their workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the most common cause of forklift accident injuries is simply a lacking of employee training. The next most common causes are rushing employees beyond the point of safe operation, and negligent forklift maintenance. In all of these scenarios, it is clear that Texas employers are not placing an adequate priority on worker safety. Other concerns are taking precedence over worker safety, and that needs to change.

Causes of Forklift and Loading Dock Accidents

• Improperly loading forklifts
• Not securing trucks receiving the loads
• Lack of safety training
• Driving with loads at improper heights
• Driving too fast

Forklift Injuries: What are my Legal Options? 

Understanding the steps to take after a workplace injury can be confusing. A work injury lawyer can help you make sure that your case is handled properly and can make sure that every possibility for recovering compensation is explored. Many Texas forklift workers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, in some cases, you may also have a claim against a third party. Modern job sites are complicated, and your work injury may have been caused by someone other than your employer. An example would be an injury caused by the negligence of another contractor on the job site. Not all forklift workers are covered by workers’ compensation. Many Texas employers are what is known as workers’ compensation non-subscribers. In non-subscriber work injury cases, an experienced attorney is especially important. You will often need to file a work injury lawsuit in order to reach a settlement that gets you full and fair compensation.

Contact An Experienced Texas Forklift Injury Lawyer

Forklift accidents remain a major problem. National Institute of Health and Safety data shows that almost 20,000 people are injury in forklift accidents every year. These victims deserve full and fair compensation for their injuries. The legal team at the Law Offices of Ronald A. Ramos has extensive experience dealing with Texas forklift accident injuries. If you have been injured on the job, we will help. Contact our office today to schedule a free legal consultation.