Iowa Forklift Injury Lawyer | Des Moines Factory Accident Attorney

Unfortunately, workplace injuries are all too common leaving many workers with unforeseen medical bills, lost wages and sometimes permanent disabilities.

Each year thousands of workers are injured – some fatally – while operating a forklift. Being crushed by a forklift tipping over is the leading cause of forklift-related deaths in the U.S. In the event of a tip over, drivers are safer strapped in by a seat belt because of the reduced risk of falling out.

Despite the known precautions, some companies do not ensure that their forklift operators are safe. A seafood processing plant in Washington was recently fined $70,000 for serious workplace safety violations, many of which involved not performing regular forklift safety inspections and neglecting to fix reported defects such as broken seat belts.

Just this past April in Iowa, a postal facility was cited for two repeated violations linked to forklift operation. Following a complaint that operators were handling unstable loads and driving forward with no clear path of visibility, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that employees were dangerously exposed to crushing and struck-by hazards while operating forklifts. The law requires employers with workers who move materials with forklifts to ensure loads are stable, and pathways are clear to prevent injury.

Serious physical harm or death can result from a hazardous condition in the workplace. If you or a family member has been injured on the job, contact the workers compensation personal injury lawyer John T. Hemminger for help. While you may have been told that the only compensation you can receive will come from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, there may be situations in which you may be able to sue for damages caused by your injuries in cases of negligence or third party liability. Call us today for a free initial consultation regarding your case 515-283-2116.