Forklift Truck Accident
Forklift Truck Compensation Advice Guide
Employers have legal responsibilities and are obliged to create a safe working environment for you and your colleagues. So if you have sustained an accident because of an incident with a forklift truck due to lack of training, lack of supervision or some other form of negligence on the behalf of your employer; then you are entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation.
The Personal Injury Bureau can put you straight in contact with a suitably qualified solicitor and you will be able to advance your claim for compensation immediately.
Or read on for case studies and general advice on personal injury claims involving forklift trucks.
Accident Numbers Are A Cause For Concern
Statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show forklift trucks are involved in almost a quarter of all workplace transport accidents.
According to statistics, one worker in the UK is killed every six weeks as a result of an accident involving a forklift truck. The numbers suffering serious injuries are far greater.
In fact, every day of the year a British worker needs to visit a hospital for treatment after being injured in a forklift truck accident.
Research shows that approximately two thirds of forklift truck accidents cause injury to someone other than the driver of the forklift truck.
The term forklift truck could cover not only a typical forklift truck but also ‘reach trucks’ which retrieve and place items on high stacks; also stand up trucks which the driver stands on to steer and operate the truck.
Forklift Truck Injuries – Duty Of Care
The HSE has warned companies to ensure forklift truck drivers are fully trained and have the relevant qualifications – due to the serious dangers forklift trucks cause to operators and others.
By law, employers must provide employees with adequate training to ensure their health and safety. Where possible, employers should also tailor training to the worker’s personal needs.
Forklift truck accidents are often due to poor supervision and a lack of training.
Forklift Truck Injuries – Compensation Case Studies
Unfortunately severe injuries, including fatal injuries, from forklift truck accidents are an annual occurrence resulting in hundreds of compensation pay outs each year and in some cases hefty fines to employers.
Forklift truck accidents are to blame for more serious accidents at work than cars and HGVs combined.
Injuries include falls from forklift trucks where operators can face severe injuries.
Forklift trucks can in some cases overturn, causing broken or crushed limbs, gashes, cuts and concussions.
In some cases it is found that the employee has not received sufficient training, such as insufficient advice about wearing a seat belt or other safety equipment.
In many cases like this payouts to injured employees can be expected to run into thousand of pounds.
As a guide only, UK compensation pay outs for forklift truck incidents are routinely in the nature of £2-3,000 and can in some cases reach the tens of thousands. In 2009, a UK labourer won £110,000 in compensation after he had his foot and leg run over by a forklift truck, leaving him unable to work in that role again.
Am I Eligible For Compensation?
If you have sustained an injury with a forklift truck it is always advisable to speak with a solicitor. It is any employee’s responsibility to take care for their own safety but even if you contributed to the accident your employer may have been negligent in some way. If you think you might be eligible to make a work accident compensation claim, for a forklift truck accident, do not hesitate to seek advice. As already detailed, we know the injuries are often severe, and you may be experiencing a loss of earnings.
Fill out our online form or telephone now to be put in contact with a specialist who will fully advise you.
