Forklift Tipping Over

A forklift is a valuable tool in the workplace. There are many purposes that make the use of this machine efficient and productive in many industries. There are literally millions of forklifts in use each day around the United States and Illinois. However, forklift accidents account for many severe injuries and a large number of deaths that occur regularly.

The most common cause of a forklift injury is the forklift tipping over. Imagine a forklift lifting a pallet that is overweight for the forklift truck. This could be a reason for tipping of the forklift truck. Another common incident causing tipping of the forklift is working in an area that is unlevel. Many forklift accidents occur while loading or unloading the trailers of semi-trucks. Sometimes forklifts fall or tip off loading docks while loading or unloading trucks or train cars.

There are a multitude of other reasons why a forklift truck would tip, including poor maintenance of the truck itself or its hydraulic system, its braking system, steering or transmission, all of which may be malfunctioning.

A properly equipped forklift truck should be equipped with a roll over protection system. This safety device would protect a forklift operator from being thrown out of the vehicle or crushed in the event that the forklift tips over.

Of course, human error is a common cause of forklift accidents and tipping occurrences. Many forklift operators are schooled in the timing of loading and unloading. In some situations, workers rush when moving product and inventory. Another cause of the tipping over of a forklift truck could be the workplace itself that may have unlevel flooring, narrow or crowded aisles or other obstacles, obstructions and perhaps unskilled forklift operators.

Another forklift tipping factor is poorly staffed or overweight pallets. Loads are made so that the capacity of the forklift is not exceeded. However, sometimes heavy loads result in forklift tipping and resulting accidents, injuries and deaths.

There are a variety of important methods in which to reduce the risk of forklift accidents. These include:

  • Training forklift operators in all of the skills of maneuvering, loading and unloading material.
  • Regularly maintaining mechanically the forklifts and its moving parts.
  • Enforcing the industrial rules that are published about the safe use of forklifts.
  • Using the forklift in an area that is safe for its intended purpose. Too often forklift operators maneuver their forklifts in areas that are too narrow or on unlevel surfaces or crowded by other workers on foot.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide many regulations in its code that govern the safe use of forklifts. In addition, the Buildings Official and Code Administrators (BOCA) outlines safety measures for use of industrial forklifts.

If you or someone you know or love has been injured in a forklift accident involving the tipping of a forklift truck, you need to contact experienced attorneys who handle these kinds of cases successfully and have the resources and acumen to litigate successfully serious injury cases. Please call us for an immediate free consultation. Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Chicago and Illinois forklift accident cases for more than 40 years.

Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas and successfully resolved cases for severely injured clients for over these many years.

With our years of experience in trying and settling forklift accident cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online. There is no charge for a consultation that will include an evaluation of your case, assessment of your damages such as lost income, lost wages, medical and hospital bills, past and future pain and suffering, loss of normal life and wrongful death.

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