Los Angeles
Forklift Accident Attorneys

Forklifts are used in a wide variety of business locations across California. They are particularly common in Los Angeles, which has one of the busiest shipping ports in the world. Workers are at risk of serious injury or death if they are near a forklift that is not being operated safely. According to the Chief Administrative Office of Los Angeles County, “nearly 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift-related incidents each year. The most common types of fatal forklift incidents are overturns; falls; and workers struck, crushed, or pinned.” Forklifts can weigh 5000 to over 80,000 pounds and are extremely dangerous even at lower speeds.

Comprehensive training and maintaining a safe work environment are essential to preventing forklift accidents. Among other things, workers will need an appropriate license before they begin using a forklift. If a worker is injured in any type of forklift accident, they can face an uphill battle as they recover. This is where we can help. The Los Angeles forklift accident attorneys at Samer Habbas & Associates are committed to making sure that victims of forklift accidents get the medical and financial support that they need. 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 can contact our office anytime at (949) 727-9300.

Common Locations Where Forklifts Are Likely To Be Used in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the most populous city in California and home to a wide range of industries where forklifts are common. The city is a central hub for logistics, shipping, manufacturing, and construction. What follows are just a few of the businesses where workers are likely to use or encounter forklifts.

• Shipping & Logistics/Warehousing: Several businesses have distribution centers in Los Angeles, including UPS, USPS, FedEx, and Amazon.
• Ports: Forklifts are used every day to transport large amounts of goods at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.
• Wholesale Distribution: Many different grocery stores have warehouses across Los Angeles, including Smart & Final, Costco, and Ralphs. Big box retailers, such as Walmart, Target, and Home Depot, also have a large presence at these facilities.
• Construction Industry: Steel suppliers, lumberyards, and heavy equipment rental companies all use forklifts and make it possible for the construction industry to keep pushing ahead.
• Entertainment Industry: Film companies, such as Universal, Paramount, and Walt Disney Studios, all use forklifts to move equipment and make sets.
• Amusement Parks: It is common for amusement parks, like Disneyland, Universal, and Six Flags, to use forklifts behind the scenes to move food and ride parts.

Industries that routinely use forklifts must take reasonable precautions to keep their workers and the public safe. One of the most common contributing factors of forklift accidents is driver inexperience. This is why it is so important for businesses that use forklifts to ensure their operators are well trained and follow safety regulations.

OSHA Regulations Related to Operating Forklifts

Forklift operators should always maintain a good awareness of their surroundings. They must communicate effectively with everyone that may be near them. Forklifts are not like other vehicles. They are extremely top-heavy and difficult to slow down. These are just a few of the Cal/OSHA requirements for forklift operation.

• Training and License: All forklift operators in Los Angeles must obtain the proper license and go through training.
• Re-Training: After workers obtain a license, they must receive a refresher course every three years. They may also need a refresher course if they’re observed operating a forklift in an unsafe manner.
• Records: Employers must maintain all records related to forklift training.
• Inspections: Employers must inspect forklifts prior to every use.
• Capacity: Every forklift should visibly display its carrying capacity in a location that is readily accessible to the operator.

The vast majority of forklift accidents are preventable. They normally involve situations where safety regulations are not being followed. In particular, employers may push forklift operators to work at unsafe speeds or to carry excessively heavy loads.

Common Causes of Forklift Accidents

Forklifts can be very difficult to handle, even for those with experience. They are heavy, difficult to stop, and pose unique hazards to their drivers. Many different factors could contribute to a forklift accident.

• Mechanical Failures: Forklifts must be routinely inspected and well-maintained. If the hydraulic arms on a forklift fail, this could easily lead to a serious accident.
• Blind Turns: An accident could easily take place if a forklift driver heads through a blind intersection without properly slowing down.
• Overloading: Every forklift has a stated carrying capacity. If this capacity is exceeded, this can make forklifts even more unstable and prone to tipping over.
• Speeding: Forklift drivers are more likely to collide with pedestrians if they are speeding. Excessive speed makes it much more difficult to bring a forklift to a safe stop.
• Poor Communication: Another major cause of forklift accidents is poor communication from workers. Forklift operators should make their presence known through extensive use of their horn and voice when necessary.
• Falling Loads: If the load on a forklift is not properly secured, there is a great risk that it could fall and injure the driver or a bystander.

Every forklift operator must do their best to drive safely and follow OSHA regulations. Likewise, employers must ensure that forklift operators are driving their forklifts in a safe manner. There could be numerous sources of liability for any instance when a person is injured in a workplace forklift accident.

Liability for Los Angeles Forklift Accidents

Workers are barred from bringing lawsuits directly against their employer if they are involved in a Los Angeles forklift accident. However, they are able to seek aid through a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation operates through a no-fault insurance plan. There is no need for an injured worker to demonstrate that their employer acted negligently. It is also possible that an injured worker could pursue a third-party negligence claim. Here are just a few sources of third-party liability for a forklift accident.

• Manufacturer: Companies that create heavy machinery have a legal obligation to ensure that their equipment is reasonably safe. They must take into consideration all of the ways that their product could be used and even misused.
• General Contractor: If a job site was controlled by some entity separate from a worker’s employer, that entity could be held liable for an accident caused by unsafe conditions.
• Subcontractors: Warehouses and other locations where forklifts are used are often made up of a blend of different contractors and subcontractors that work together. If the person that caused a forklift accident was a subcontractor, their employer could be held at fault.
• Maintenance Companies: It is possible that the company responsible for maintaining a forklift could be liable if they failed to properly repair a forklift with known issues.

Forklift accidents are often highly complex. Several entities could face liability for an accident, even if it seems as though a driver was entirely responsible for what happened. For example, the operator of a forklift may be injured by a falling load. The forklift involved in the incident may have lacked safety features to prevent load intrusion into the driver’s compartment.

The Samer Habbas & Associates Advantage

Having an experienced Los Angeles forklift injury attorney can make all the difference when it comes to obtaining a positive outcome for any injury claim. When you hire Samer Habbas & Associates to help you, you can rest assured that we are committed to winning on your behalf above all else. These are just a few of the reasons that you should strongly consider hiring our law firm.

• Experience: We have extensive experience helping workers successfully recover compensation. Our attorneys also focus on injury claims.
• Proven Track Record: We have a proven track record of being able to recover high verdicts and settlements on behalf of our deserving clients. In fact, we have recovered over $350 million for accident victims in California.
• Availability: We are always available to answer questions and to help you during the legal process.
• Client Focused: We put the needs of our clients first and always make sure that they are well taken care of. If the defendant is not willing to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take every case to trial.
• Local Knowledge: We are knowledgeable of all the local laws and ordinances that could potentially impact your case. Our team will use this knowledge to help you get the most compensation for your injuries.

One of the greatest advantages of hiring our Los Angeles workplace forklift accident lawyers is that we operate entirely on a contingency fee basis. In other words, there are no upfront costs associated with hiring our law firm. Our payment comes entirely from the opposing party if we’re able to successfully resolve your claim.

Steps to Take After a Los Angeles Forklift Accident

Being injured in a forklift accident can have major consequences for a person’s health and financial well-being. Victims may need to take extensive periods away from work and be left without a reliable source of income. It is important that any person injured in a forklift accident pursue certain actions.

• Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation. Many of the injuries associated with forklift accidents will not be immediately obvious. It is also important that victims seek follow-up care. Injuries from a workplace accident can worsen with time.
• Report the Accident: Victims should report the accident to OSHA as soon as possible. OSHA will conduct a thorough investigation into what happened. This can prove to be useful later on.
• Preserve Evidence: All evidence related to the accident should be properly secured. This should include safety audits, internal incident reports, and photos of the accident site.
• Legal Support: Any person injured in a forklift accident should seek the guidance of a Los Angeles forklift injury attorney. An attorney can take steps to ensure that your rights are being protected and that you are fairly compensated for all of the ways that an injury has impacted your life.

There is a tremendous peace of mind that can come with having an experienced attorney handle everything on your behalf. Insurance providers will often do everything in their power to pay injury victims as little as possible. An attorney can help ensure that all liable parties are held accountable so that you can focus entirely on healing.

Getting Legal Help With a Los Angeles Forklift Accident Claim

It can be hard to know where to begin after any injury in the workplace. This is particularly true for victims who are seriously injured. Many victims of forklift accidents may not be able to return to their previous professions. They could also face mounting medical bills and other financial pressures. In these situations, it is always a good idea to understand your legal options and consult with an experienced attorney. There are statutes of limitations associated with being able to pursue injury claims. Failing to act within those statutes of limitations can result in a permanent forfeiture of your ability to pursue damages.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a Los Angeles County forklift accident, you do have legal rights. Our Los Angeles forklift accident attorneys at Samer Habbas & Associates are here to assist you. We can take steps to ensure that your rights are being protected and that negligent parties are held accountable. Whether you need any type of assistance or have questions about the legal process, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 727-9300.

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