Anaheim
Forklift Accident Attorneys

Forklifts are an essential part of construction projects, loading docks, industrial businesses, and warehouses across California. They are particular common across Anaheim logistics centers and cold storage facilities. These vehicles can be very useful and also pose a number of unique dangers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “From 2011 to 2017, 614 workers lost their lives in forklift related incidents and more than 7,000 nonfatal injuries with days away from work occurred every year.” Forklift accidents can have devastating consequences for victims.

Victims of forklift accidents often suffer grave injuries and may need to take extensive periods of time away from work. Many people are so seriously injured that they may not be able to return to their previous profession or work schedule. It is essential that any person injured in a forklift accident consider their legal options. They may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. The Anaheim forklift accident attorneys at Samer Habbas & Associates can help. We can investigate the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know how much compensation you may be entitled to. You are always welcome to reach out to our office anytime at (949) 727-9300.

Why Choose Our Anaheim Forklift Accident Law Firm

Having experienced legal counsel can make a world of difference when it comes to having a positive outcome for any personal injury claim. It can often mean the difference between winning or losing any case. What follows are just a few of the reasons that you should select our Anaheim forklift injury attorneys.

• Experience: Our team of attorneys have decades of experience and specialize in accident claims. During that time, we’ve handled many workplace injury claims.
• Results: Our law firm has recovered over $350 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
• Client Focused: We put the needs of our clients first and are more than prepared to take every case to trial to get the very best outcomes.
• Fierce Advocacy: We understand the tricks and tactics that insurance providers use to avoid paying fair settlements. You can rest assured that we will always pursue your best interests through aggressive litigation and negotiation tactics.

Samer Habbas & Associates has a long reputation for its commitment to winning on behalf of our clients. We understand how difficult it can be to simply recover from any traumatic injury. No matter how badly you may have been injured in any forklift accident, there is a good chance that we will be able to assist you.

Common Locations Where Forklifts Are Likely To Be Used in Anaheim

Not every worker in Anaheim is equally exposed to the dangers of forklift accidents. There are certain locations across the city where forklifts are a routine part of doing business. A few of these locations are listed below.

• Americold Logistics: This facility is used for cold storage and distribution.
• Orange County Cold Services: This business in Anaheim allows for refrigerated warehousing.
• Prologis Anaheim Distribution Center 3: This is a large-scale distribution warehouse.
• Rakuten Super Logistics: This company serves as an e-commerce fulfillment center.
• Gold Coast Logistics: They provide technology-enabled transportation and logistic services.
• Manufacturers: Anaheim is also home to several manufacturing sites for major companies, including Yamaha, Panasonic, General Dynamics, and Raytheon.
• Disneyland: The happiest place on earth constantly uses forklifts for construction projects and food/beverage warehousing.
• Angel Stadium of Anaheim: Forklifts are routinely used to transport ice rink equipment and to help load concert gear.
• Anaheim Convention Center: This is one of the largest convention centers on the West Coast. It is common for forklifts to be used during expos, event booths, and trade shows.

Strict adherence to OSHA regulations is critical to keeping workers safe at these locations. According to 1910.178(q)(7), forklifts must be inspected daily before each shift if they are used continuously. They must not be used to transport loads in excess of their rated capacity.

Common Injuries Associated With Forklift Accidents

Forklifts can weigh between 3,000 lbs and over 85,000 lbs. Even low-speed collisions can leave victims with catastrophic injuries. Here are just a few of the common injuries associated with forklift accidents.

• Crushing Injuries: Victims are at serious risk of sustaining numerous types of crushing and pinning injuries. These can result in complex fractures, especially if workers are hit by falling loads.
• Collision Injuries: Being hit by a forklift can cause numerous forms of trauma to a person’s extremities and organs.
• Spinal Cord Trauma: Any person involved in a forklift accident is at serious risk of sustaining traumatic injuries to their spine. These are common when forklift operators get ejected from their vehicle or have a forklift roll over them.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even something as simple as being knocked to the ground by a forklift can result in traumatic brain injuries. Victims of traumatic brain injuries are at serious risk of major physical and cognitive impairments.

Many of the injuries associated with forklift accidents will not be immediately obvious. This is why it is so crucial that victims seek a thorough medical evaluation. If you’ve been injured, it’s important to have a skilled forklift accident law firm in Anaheim ensure you’re fairly compensated for how an injury affects you down the road.

Types of Forklift Accident Cases We Handle

Our Anaheim forklift accident lawyers handle a wide variety of different cases. Even if you are unsure about whether or not you have a viable claim, it is worth giving us a call to see if we can possibly help. These are some of the types of forklift accident cases we can assist with.

• Tip-Over (Rollovers): Forklifts have a high center of gravity and are more susceptible to overturning. This is particularly common when forklifts are used to carry heavy loads and make sharp turns.
• Falling Loads: It is also common for the loads being carried by forklifts to fall and seriously injure the driver or bystanders.
• Struck-By Accidents: Forklifts have large blind spots, and many drivers end up colliding with pedestrians.
• Crushing Accidents: Workers could easily become pinned between a forklift and a wall or other object.

Given the sheer weight of forklifts, even a low-speed collision can result in catastrophic injuries. Accidents are largely avoidable when the proper safety precautions and OSHA guidelines are being followed.

Common Causes of Forklift Accidents

Forklifts can be difficult to handle in the best of circumstances. One of the most common causes of forklift accidents is inadequate training. Several other factors could contribute to an accident.

• Overloading: Forklifts are only capable of holding so much weight before problems arise. Overloading can cause a forklift to tip over.
• Speeding: Another common cause of accidents is speeding. Forklifts are inherently heavy and take much longer to stop to avoid hazards.
• Improper Communication: Forklift operators should always communicate their intentions clearly when operating a forklift. This may require extensive use of their horn.
• Poor Visibility: There are plenty of blind spots in any worksite that uses forklifts. When forklift drivers fail to stop and check for pedestrian cross-traffic, this could lead to a pedestrian collision.
• Failure to Follow Safety Protocols: There are strict rules with respect to how forklifts can be handled. When these regulations are ignored, it is more likely that accidents will take place.

It is relatively common for businesses to relax safety protocols with respect to forklifts. But this simply should not happen. Forklifts should only be operated by workers that have the right certifications and safety training.

Liability for Anaheim Forklift Accidents

When a worker is injured in an Anaheim workplace forklift accident, they will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation is available to all qualifying workers in California, regardless of who may be at fault. As a general principle, workers in California are barred from holding their employers responsible for accidents through a civil claim. But an injured worker could seek additional compensation through a third-party liability claim. There could be numerous sources of third-party liability for any forklift accident.

• Equipment Manufacturer: The company that manufactured a forklift could potentially be liable for an accident through a product liability claim. A forklift may have stability issues if its center of gravity is too much to one side. Faulty hydraulics could also cause a load to fall backwards onto the user.
• Contractors: Warehouses, construction sites, and industrial businesses are often made up of a blend of contractors and subcontractors. One of these entities could be liable for a forklift accident, especially if the forklift operator was not adhering to safety standards.
• Site Owner/General Contractor: The company responsible for maintaining a worksite could potentially be liable for a forklift accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on their premises. For example, a general contractor may fail to ensure that only certified operators are allowed to use forklifts.

Forklifts are unlike most other vehicles that workers can operate. They are top-heavy, difficult to slow down, and generally difficult to maneuver. This is why it is so important that only well-trained and certified workers are allowed to handle these devices. Any person injured in a forklift accident should strongly consider hiring an Anaheim forklift injury lawyer. They can search for all potential sources of third-party liability so that you can get the most compensation possible for your injuries.

The Samer Habbas & Associates Advantage

If you’ve been injured in any forklift accident, it’s best to work with a law firm that specializes in injury claims. That is exactly what you get when you hire Samer Habbas & Associates. There are many factors that distinguish our legal team from other law offices.

• Proven Track Record: Our law firm has consistently recovered some of the highest verdicts and settlements for accident victims across California. This includes numerous seven-figure verdicts and settlements.
• Client Testimonials: Our law firm has consistently been praised for its attention to detail and commitment to serving the needs of our clients. Feel free to read just a few of the five-star reviews that we have received.
• Local Knowledge: Our law firm has a thorough understanding of how local laws and ordinances could potentially impact your case. We leverage this knowledge to help victims get the best outcomes possible.
• Availability: We are available 24/7 to help you with your accident case. We make sure that you are informed about what’s going on at every step of the legal process.

There are absolutely no out-of-pocket expenses associated with hiring our attorneys. We get paid entirely on a contingency fee basis. In other words, our payment comes from the opposing party’s insurance provider if we are able to successfully resolve your claim.

Compensation Available for Forklift Accidents

There are numerous forms of compensation available for any person injured in a forklift accident. Here are just a few quick examples.

• Medical Bills: Victims will be able to receive compensation for the medical bills that they accrued as a result of any injury.
• Future Medical Expenses: Victims will be able to receive compensation for all of the future medical expenses that may be necessary to treat an injury. This could include costs for rehabilitation and additional surgeries.
• Lost Wages: Victims will be able to receive compensation for any lost income that is the result of an injury.
• Diminished Earning Capacity: Victims can also receive additional compensation if an injury is so severe that it impacts their ability to earn the same amount as they did before.
• Pain and Suffering: Victims can be compensated for the non-economic harms that they endure as a result of an injury. This includes the pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment that may come as a result of what happened.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases, victims may be able to receive punitive damages if the actions of the defendant are deemed to be particularly egregious.

Insurance providers are virtually never willing to offer fair settlements for any forklift accident or other type of personal injury claim. This is why it is important to work with a forklift injury attorney whose interests are aligned with your own.

Getting Legal Help With a Forklift Accident Claim

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an Anaheim forklift accident, you don’t have to go through this experience on your own. These cases can be highly complex and are made even more difficult by insurance providers who do everything in their power to minimize payouts. Having an experienced attorney fight on your behalf can help you secure the compensation and justice that you are entitled to.

At Samer Habbas & Associates, we fight hard to hold employers, manufacturers, and negligent third parties accountable for any harm that they cause. Whether you’re dealing with an injury or the unfortunate loss of a loved one, our Anaheim forklift accident attorneys are here to assist you. We are prepared to pursue all liable parties so that you can get the most compensation available under the law. If you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime for a risk-free consultation at (949) 727-9300.

 Frequently Asked Questions