When not fatal, forklift accidents can cause serious and irreversible injuries. The widespread use of forklifts, from construction sites to warehouses to grocery stores, makes this piece of equipment all the more dangerous. While they are prone to tipping over, forklift run-over accidents are also common. If you or someone you love suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of a forklift accident, the work injury experts at Golitko & Daly in Indianapolis, IN can help.

Where Do Forklift Accidents Take Place?

Forklifts are used in a wide range of different settings across America. You can find them in warehouses, moving pallets of boxes from one place to another. They are also common in grocery stores, and may even be used in areas frequented by customers. You may also see them in manufacturing facilities and on construction sites. While they are useful tools in each of these settings, they can lead to deadly injuries if not operated properly.

What Causes Forklift Run-over Accidents?

Forklifts are heavy pieces of equipment, but are relatively small in size. This weight, combined with the weight of materials being moved can lead to serious collisions and run-over accidents. Even when traveling at a safe speed and operating the forklift properly, the chances of an accident is high.

Moving forward with a large load obstructs the operator’s vision. Although it is recommended to move backwards with large loads, there are still numerous blind spots. Combine that with use in high-traffic areas in a grocery store or warehouse, and any number of injuries could occur.

Serious Injuries Resulting from Forklift Accidents

Accidents involving forklifts account for thousands of deaths and injuries in the workplace each year. Sadly, many forklift run-over accidents are fatal. When victims survive, they often suffer severe injuries that result in permanent disabilities, including:

• Multiple broken or shattered bones, requiring multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy
• Amputation of one or more limbs, such as the feet, legs, or arms, requiring prosthetics, medical equipment, and other devices to restore some form of function and mobility
• Spinal cord injury, resulting in partial or total paralysis and a permanent loss of mobility in the affected areas
• Traumatic brain injury, which can affect memory, cognitive functioning, communication abilities, and more

These serious injuries often require extended hospitalization, multiple medical procedures, and extensive therapy in an effort to regain function of the affected areas. Many victims are unable to work for the foreseen future or permanently, resulting in lost wages along with their medical expenses.

At Golitko & Daly, our attorneys will fight to hold negligent or wrongful parties accountable for your injuries. We are tenacious in our pursuit of compensation for your:

• Present and potential future medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Ongoing pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life.

In the event that a forklift run-over accident results in the loss of a loved one, our attorneys can guide you through the wrongful death claim process.

Contact Golitko & Daly for Expert Legal Counsel

If you or someone you love was hurt in a forklift accident, contact our law firm to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.