Forklifts play a constant role on construction sites, moving materials through areas that can be crowded and uneven. A moving forklift may strike a worker, injure them during a tip-over, or harm them when a load shifts unexpectedly. If you suffered injuries in a forklift incident, you may face an extended recovery period and disruptions to your work and daily life. A Baton Rouge forklift accident lawyer from our firm could help you examine how the event occurred and whether negligence contributed to your injuries.
Local construction projects rely on forklifts at commercial job sites, industrial facilities, and renovation projects where multiple crews work side by side. Forklifts may share space with pedestrians, temporary structures, and other heavy equipment. When workers manage site traffic poorly or overlook safety measures, the risk of injury increases. Our attorneys at Tomeny | Best could help you and your family understand your legal options and proceed with confidence after your accident.
How Forklift Accidents Happen on Construction Sites
Forklift accidents often occur in environments with fast-moving workers performing different types of tasks in a single location. Common accident scenarios include forklifts pinning workers against various objects and improperly balanced or secured loads falling onto nearby workers.
Forklifts can have limited sight lines, especially when carrying large loads. Forklift operators who have not received proper training or do not have spotters help them in tight areas may not see workers on foot until it is too late. Uneven ground, ramps, and temporary surfaces can increase the likelihood of tip-overs. Our Baton Rouge legal advocates could determine whether your forklift incident resulted from a single error or a combination of unsafe practices, inadequate supervision, and poor site coordination.
Who May Be Responsible for a Forklift Accident?
Responsibility for your forklift accident may extend beyond your employer. Depending on the circumstances of your case, liable parties may include the general contractor that was responsible for site safety, the subcontractor that controlled forklift operations, and the company that owned or rented the forklift.
The equipment manufacturer may also be responsible if a mechanical defect or design flaw contributed to your accident. Our lawyers in Baton Rouge could determine who is liable for your lift truck incident by reviewing training records, equipment maintenance logs, site safety plans, and traffic control procedures.
Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims After a Forklift Accident
Most construction workers in this state have workers’ compensation insurance coverage through their employers. After a forklift accident, workers’ compensation benefits may cover medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. These benefits generally prevent an injured worker from filing a lawsuit directly against their employer.
Forklift accidents often involve third parties, such as those mentioned in the above paragraphs. If their negligence contributed to the incident, a separate personal injury claim may be available. Our attorneys in Baton Rouge could help you understand how these claims may overlap in your forklift accident case and whether a third-party lawsuit is appropriate.
Call Our Baton Rouge Legal Team After a Lift Truck Incident
Forklift accidents can cause serious injuries and leave their victims with difficult questions about accountability. At Tomeny | Best, we carefully investigate our clients’ accidents and focus on their long-term impact.
If you sustained injuries in this type of incident, a Baton Rouge forklift accident lawyer from our firm could help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation. Contact us today to discuss your accident and to learn how we could help protect your future.
