According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “NYC construction fatality rates are more than five times higher than all NYC industries.” Five times — that’s a 500% mark-up! Sadly, about a third of these deaths are caused when workers are “struck, crushed, or caught between objects or equipment” such as the forklift, which, due to its role in the city’s 45,000+ ongoing construction projects, is one of the most commonly used machines in NYC.
So, ask yourself: Have you or a loved one been involved in a forklift-related accident in NYC? If the answer is yes, then you need an experienced personal injury attorney. Don’t gamble with your family’s future. Instead, allow Schwartzapfel Lawyers the privilege of handling your case so that you may focus on what’s most important: your health and recovery.
Forklift Accident Lawyers
Construction sites are hazardous places by nature. Construction workers must navigate environmental debris, heavy machinery, and other potential threats on a daily basis. However, while many construction workers take extra steps to avoid injuries from falls or debris, others may be injured due to forklift accidents.
Forklifts are commonly used on construction sites as they can be leveraged to lift heavy materials across great distances or up difficult heights. But when used improperly, forklifts can also lead to major injuries. Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers today at 1-516-342-2200 if you or a loved one have been injured in a forklift accident.
Types of Forklift Accidents in NYC
Despite their prevalence and usefulness on construction sites, forklift injuries are very common throughout New York City and the rest of the Empire State.
In New York City, there were 484 construction-related accidents and 502 construction-related injuries in 2020 alone. In addition, there were 8 construction-related fatalities in the same year. Many of these work injuries and wrongful deaths occurred due to reasons such as:
- Falling from ladders, roofs, and more on the worksite
- Electrocution
- Crush injuries
- Forklift collisions
- Trips, slips, and falls
- Being struck by falling debris
- Injuries due to lack of proper training or negligent co-workers
- Forklifts tipping over
- Being caught between objects, such as forklifts and walls, forklifts and debris, etc.
Despite attempts to reverse these dangers in the industry, New York City construction workers still account for 27% of work-related injury fatalities.
Beyond New York, forklift accidents are responsible for many fatalities and injuries. OSHA statistics indicate that each year, there are 85 forklift fatalities alongside nearly 35,000 serious injuries nationwide. Forklifts can be very dangerous machines if they are operating properly or if they are not given enough room to maneuver safely.
Causes of Forklift Accidents and Injuries
Forklifts are heavy, powerful machines. When used by trained operators, they can complete a large amount of work quickly. However, their lifting arms can be hazardous to others.
For example, a construction worker can be trapped between forklift arms and a wall or another tool. Alternatively, forklifts may run over individuals or their limbs, or they may cause debris or walls to collapse on construction workers.
Forklift accidents and injuries are sometimes caused due to bad luck or disasters, but many are caused due to the negligence or inattention of contracting supervisors or site managers.
For instance, if a construction worker isn’t licensed to operate a forklift but their supervisor tells them to use a forklift anyway or they will lose their job, they could cause an accident due to unfamiliarity with the machine. Then, if that construction worker causes an injury, they won’t be responsible: their supervisor or manager would be instead.
Alternatively, a site manager may prevent construction workers from purchasing a new forklift machine or upgrading and repairing their current forklift to cut down on costs or save money. If this cost-saving measure results in a major malfunction and leads to a workplace accident or death, that manager could be on the hook for compensation and damages.
Other construction site workers may also be responsible for forklift accidents. An inebriated forklift operator or an operator under the influence of drugs may cause accidents or injuries due to inattention or inability to operate the machinery safely.
In all of these cases and more, you need to know your legal options so you can recover damages for your injuries, lost income, and more. To learn these at no cost, dial 1-516-342-2200 and speak with a Schwartzapfel Lawyers forklift accident attorney today!
We don’t accept every case, but when we do, we win.
Take action today and call us now at (516) 342-2200.
For more on forklift-related accidents and injuries, as well as NYC construction workers’ rights and practical steps you can take in order to protect yourself and your family, please continue reading.
Types of losses and injuries you might sustain as the result of a forklift-related accident
In any forklift accident, the extent of physical and emotional pain and suffering is extensive. Unfortunately, oftentimes one’s losses do not stop there, as an injured worker’s economic losses can include:
- Loss of wages
- Loss of pension
- Loss of annuity
- Loss of health benefits
- Loss of social security benefits
As for direct physical injuries, they may include but are not limited to:
- Broken bones (e.g. fractures of the legs, arms, shoulders, hips, ankles)
- Head trauma (e.g. brain injury, skull fractures, brain hemorrhaging)
- Full or partial paralysis (e.g. quadriplegia, paraplegia)
Additionally, injuries that are not readily apparent at the time of the accident can include: tears, strains and sprains, herniated and bulging discs, and nerve damage that over time may worsen to the point of requiring surgery.
As well, injured workers may experience accident-related emotional suffering in the form(s) of:
Depression: A mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
Anxiety: A nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A psychiatric disorder characterized by intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended.
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury as a result of a forklift-related accident, the last thing you need is medical bills piling up. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your financial future right away by calling Schwartzapfel Lawyers today!
Worker Rights in the Event of a Forklift-Related Accident on an NYC Construction Site
Did you know that construction workers have special rights and protections offered to them by the law? That’s right, they do — especially in NYC!
In fact, pursuant to New York’s labor laws, building owners and contractors are responsible for providing “safe working conditions and safe places to work,” (New York State Department of Labor: § 23-1.3). Moreover, construction workers in New York and NYC must be provided with sufficient safety devices to perform their jobs, including, but not limited to, work materials and a controlled working environment. Failure to comply on any level, and the responsible party is liable for the construction worker’s sustained losses and harms.
This means that if you are injured by a forklift on a New York construction site, if the accident is in any way due to the building owners’, contractors’, or your employers’ failure to provide a safe work environment with appropriate tools/devices to perform the task at hand, they are at fault and you may be legally entitled to compensation.
For more information on this subject, please call us now at 1-516-342-2200. Alternatively, you may schedule a free consultation by visiting us online. In any event, it will be our honor and privilege to assist you and your loved ones in making you whole once again.
What to do if you are injured in a forklift-related accident on a NYC construction site
If you or a loved one are injured, maimed, disabled, or killed as a result of forklift-related activities on a construction site, it is critical that you secure legal representation right away.
Do not give statements to anyone without first speaking to your lawyer. Do not speak to insurance agents before speaking to your lawyer, as anything you say will be misconstrued and used against you. Furthermore, it is imperative that you not accept any form of settlement, monetary or otherwise.
Remember: Insurance companies exist to make profits for their shareholders. What is best for them is a quick and easy way out. You can prevent this by politely telling them that you have retained a personal injury attorney and cannot speak to them.
Finding the Attorney That’s Right for You
However unique your case, you will want someone who specializes in construction-related injuries, has a proven track record in New York City, and who will fight for you every step of the way. In short: You want the best personal injury claim representation available.
For more than thirty-five years, Schwartzapfel Lawyers has successfully helped thousands of clients get the money and benefits they are entitled to. We are proud of our hundreds of 5-star Google Reviews and 99% client satisfaction record, and we have every incentive to get you the largest settlement or verdict possible, as quickly as possible, because if we don’t win your case you owe us nothing. That way, you can have the legal advice you need to win your forklift accident case and get the compensation you are entitled to for the medical expenses incurred due to your workplace injuries.
Forklift accident lawyers can provide valuable representation and assistance from start to finish throughout your case. However, you should only hire knowledgeable, experienced attorneys that demonstrate the below three attributes.
If you or a loved one has suffered a forklift-related injury on a NYC construction site, take action today and call us now at 1-516-342-2200.
Experience in Similar Cases
Find lawyers who have experience in cases similar to yours. It will do you little good to hire attorneys who are specialized in other areas of the law, like medical malpractice.
Instead, you should hire construction site accident lawyers who have:
- Helped New York City construction workers just like you
- Know the ins and outs of the New York workers’ compensation and legal systems
With years of experience serving New York City residents, Schwartzapfel Lawyers is the right choice for your upcoming legal action. Not only can we help you sue negligent or at-fault parties after a construction site accident, but we can also help you file a successful workers’ comp claim if you were injured on the job and should be covered.
Our extensive experience can be brought to bear on your case. We’ve seen it all and know that we can make a major difference when you call us today at 1-516-342-2200.
Contingency Fee Policy
You should also find legal representatives who operate on a contingency fee basis or with a similar policy. A contingency fee policy simply states that you don’t have to pay your lawyers anything unless they recover damages for you through their efforts.
For example, if you try to file a lawsuit against an accused or negligent party, and your lawsuit is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay your lawyers and add to your financial burdens. But if your lawsuit is successful, your lawyers will take a percentage of the damages as compensation.
With a contingency fee policy, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and not have to worry about juggling multiple financial burdens at once.
Dedication To Your Case
Finally, hire forklift accident lawyers who have the time and manpower to dedicate themselves completely to your case. Attend a free consultation or case evaluation and ask which lawyer specifically will work on your case.
If the attending lawyer can’t answer, or if they aren’t sure whether they’ll have the time to get to your case file, opt for a different legal representative instead. Your case is entitled to maximum attention and effort.
That’s how we treat each of our clients at the law firm of Schwartzapfel Lawyers. We don’t take every case offered to us. But when we do take a case, we make sure to win. We go to court armed with an array of strategies and information that can maximize your damages and help you get through this trying time.
CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED FORKLIFT ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN NEW YORK.
The attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers provide aggressive – yet compassionate – legal guidance for each of our personal injury clients. With over 150 years of combined experience, our attorneys are well-prepared to handle your legal needs. That said, time is of the essence for preserving valuable evidence and maximizing your chances of recovery. So, please, act now and protect your financial future by contacting Schwartzapfel Lawyers today. Day or night, rain or shine, always we will fight for you!
Contact us today at (516) 342-2200 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation. We will fight for you!
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