Inadequate Maintenance Forklift Accidents

Employers are responsible to provide their employees with a safe work environment under Federal laws mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This includes ensuring that the heavy, powerful equipment they use on a daily basis, such as forklifts, are properly maintained. When employers look to cut corners and their employees are injured, the results can be devastating, and often deadly.

If you have been injured in an accident due to inadequate maintenance of a forklift, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice. 

Potential Forklift Maintenance Issues

Heavy machinery requires routine maintenance to ensure that it remains safe for the workers using it. When an employer fails in their legal responsibilities of keeping their forklifts adequately maintained, they put their employees at risk for serious accidents and injuries. 

The best way to guarantee that a forklift is in good working order is to perform a daily inspection before the forklift is permitted to be operated. If any safety concerns are noted, they should be reported to a supervisor. It is then the responsibility of your employer to make the necessary repairs that are required. If they fail to do so, they could be held liable for any resulting accident(s). 

Before operating a forklift, the following should be inspected:

• Tread and tire pressure – The ability of a forklift to support its heavy load is dependent on the tires. If tires are not inflated properly, the center of gravity will be askew and turning could be compromised. A forklift should not be operated until faulty tires are repaired or replaced.
• Hydraulics – A leaking in the hydraulic system, even a minor leak, can cause a complete failure and a dropped load. All leaks should be reported, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
• Fork condition – The forks are the most important part of the forklift as they support the entire weight of each load. If the forks are bent or damaged, a load can fall and cause significant injuries.
• Safety devices – Turn signals, the horn, and backup lights are meant to keep you and your coworkers safe. It is critical that these items are working before a forklift is allowed to operate.

On occasion, a forklift accident could be due to manufacturing defects such as poor design or materials. Should poor design and/or manufacturing issues be the cause of a forklift accident, the designer, manufacturer, and anyone else involved in the chain of distribution may be held accountable for your injuries and damages in addition to your employer if proper inspection protocol was not followed.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, an experienced personal injury lawyer can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.