In Need of a Forklift Accident Attorney in Charlotte?
At Waple & Houk, PLLC, our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys know forklift operations can be extremely dangerous when not handled correctly or by well-trained operators. Once operators are certified, forklift safety continues to be a critical issue in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants throughout North Carolina.
Forklift trucks operate in different capacities and require their operators to be certified in their specific material handling purposes, which may include the necessary certifications for pallet jacks, reach trucks, order pickers, sit-down rider trucks, and rough terrain vehicles.
Even when forklift operators are certified and safety is not the priority — or if they are being unlawfully operated by non-certified users — workers are going to get hurt or killed. The National Safety Council reported over 8,100 non-fatal workplace-related forklift injuries and nearly 80 fatalities throughout the U.S. last year alone.
If you or someone you love was injured or tragically lost their life in a workplace forklift accident in North Carolina, contact our Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation attorneys to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue a claim to get the physical, emotional, and financial help you need to move forward.
What are the Main Causes of North Carolina Workplace-Related Forklift Accidents, Injuries, and Fatalities?
Forklifts are constantly operating in workplaces of all sizes throughout North Carolina, including Walmart, Amazon, and other retail warehouses and distribution centers.
Unfortunately, when accidents involving forklifts occur in North Carolina workplaces, they may impact more than the operator, but other employees working nearby.
Some of the most common causes of forklift accidents, injuries, and fatalities in North Carolina include, but are not limited to:
- Rollover accidents.
- Pedestrian collisions.
- Crushed by a forklift.
- Falls from forklifts.
- Loads falling off forklifts and hitting or crushing people.
- Forklift mechanical failures.
What are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Forklift Accidents in North Carolina?
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the most common types of forklift truck-related injuries were:
- Back and spine injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Bruises and contusions.
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Crushing injuries.
- Fractures.
- Internal injuries.
- Neck injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Traumatic orthopedic injuries.
- Amputations.
- Wrongful death.
Do You Need to Be Certified to Operate a Forklift in North Carolina?
The short answer is, yes. All North Carolina employers must develop and implement a training program based on the general principles of safe forklift truck operation, the types of vehicle(s) being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle(s), and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.
Forklifts can be extremely dangerous when they are not operated correctly or by well-trained operators.
If you are a North Carolina employee seeking to become a certified forklift operator, you should:
- Download a Guide to Forklift Operator Training and Inspection Programs to prepare for your certification requirements.
- Access your local OSHA Certification and Training programs for forklift operators, as required by the North Carolina Department of Labor.
If you have been injured in a forklift accident caused by an uncertified operator, or a negligent employee or contractor, our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys in Charlotte can help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Forklift Accident Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina
If you have been hurt at work, it is critical that you obtain the full amount of workers’ compensation that you deserve. Contact our dedicated Charlotte forklift accident, injury, and fatality attorneys today to schedule a free consultation by calling (704) 954-8697 or contacting us online. We are here to help.
