Maison Law represents injured forklift operators in Madera. If you or a loved one has suffered a forklift injury while on the job, there may be additional damages you’re entitled to receive through workers’ compensation and the party that caused your accident.
Forklifts are dangerous machines due to their size and weight, with the average forklift weighing around 9,000 pounds, according to Quality Material Handling. So, when a forklift accident occurs, a person is highly susceptible to severe or fatal injury, requiring expensive medical bills and life alterations. For that reason, we recommend consulting with our Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Maison Law, so you can take the necessary legal action to ensure you are compensated for the physical and financial obstacles you may face going forward.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to get your life back on track after a forklift injury. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
How Maison Law Helps Injured Madera Forklift Workers
Workers’ Compensation provides critical support for injured forklift workers in Madera. By California Law, injured workers are entitled to two-thirds of their lost wages through temporary disability and medical bills. Unfortunately, treatment can be denied, and temporary disability can be abruptly ended. This leaves many workers with uncertain futures and a mountain of medical debt.
But by partnering with Maison Law, injured forklift workers can protect their rights to benefits and compensation. Having your claim managed by one of our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys lets workers’ compensation know you are aware of your rights to compensation and are prepared to exercise them through your attorney.
In addition to a workers’ compensation claim, a third party, such as a property owner, contractor, or parts manufacturer, may be responsible. In this case, our law firm will help you receive additional damages for:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of income, as well as the reduction in your earning capacity you’ve suffered from your work-related accident
- Cost of living with your injury, such as making your home disability accessible, purchasing a wheelchair or crutches, hiring a nurse or housekeeper
- Damage done to your property during the accident
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Stress and anxiety due to the nature of your accident
- Your mental state after a life-changing accident
- Loss of ability to enjoy life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent physical disability
Madera Forklift Injury Workers’ Compensation Benefits
According to California law, all employers with at least one employee must maintain workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. This coverage applies to full-time, part-time, and even temporary workers. Workers’ compensation in California is a “no-fault” system, meaning you can be eligible for benefits regardless of who was at fault for your injury or illness. Benefits available to workers injured in a forklift accident include:
- Medical Care: covers all reasonable medical treatment related to your injury or illness
- Temporary Disability Benefits: benefits paid if you’re unable to work while recovering
- Permanent Disability Benefits: if you don’t fully recover from your injury, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits: if you cannot return to your previous line of work, these benefits can help cover the costs of retraining or skill enhancement
- Death Benefits: in the unfortunate event of a fatal injury, dependents of the decedent are entitled to death benefits
Common Causes of Forklift Injuries
Many different factors lead to forklift injuries. However, the majority of forklift injuries can be attributed to a combination of human error and mechanical failure. The most common causes of forklift injuries include:
- Speeding: certain forklifts are capable of traveling at surprisingly high speeds. Extra caution is necessary when operating fast-traveling forklifts because speeding increases the likelihood of rollover crashes, especially when taking sharp turns. Speeding also presents a danger to workers outside of the vehicle as they may not be able to avoid a speeding forklift.
- Sudden Reversals: a sudden reversal can end up harming unsuspecting workers within proximity of the forklift. Forklift operators come to a stop and check their surroundings anytime they begin reversing.
- Miscommunication: poor communication is one of the leading causes of workplace hazards, according to OSHA. The route and where forklifts are operating should be communicated to every worker. Effective communication can help forklift operators and their coworkers avoid unfortunate collisions.
- Failed Maintenance: a forklift is only safe if routine maintenance is performed. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure routine maintenance is performed or to provide training to their employees, so they can perform maintenance checks.
- Jumping off forklifts: when a forklift begins to tip over, many drivers’ first reaction is to jump off the vehicle. But jumping off a falling forklift is the last thing you want to do. It is much safer to remain inside the forklift as the driver’s seat cage is designed to shield drivers from injury.
- Improper use: when forklifts are used for anything other than lifting heavy cargo, accidents can ensue. If forklifts are used as makeshift ladders or cherry pickers, accidents are almost guaranteed.
- Poor training: sufficient operations and safety training can save lives. Forklift accidents can be severe and employers are responsible for providing all forklift operators with training.
Contact Maison Law | Madera Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been mistreated, neglected, or inadequately compensated by worker’s compensation, the attorneys at Maison Law are here to help. Whether you’ve suffered permanent injuries or have been denied medical treatment through workers’ compensation, our firm is prepared to exercise the full extent of the law to get you the compensation and medical attention you are entitled to.
Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront charges for our services, and you will not be charged a cent unless we win your case.
