Greenville Workers’ Compensation for Forklift Accidents

Protecting Your Rights After a Forklift Accident at Work

Forklifts are a vital part of daily operations in workplaces like warehouses, factories, home improvement stores, and construction sites across Greenville, SC. However, forklifts are also among the most hazardous pieces of equipment in the workplace, causing thousands of injuries each year nationwide.

If you’ve been injured in a forklift accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that cover medical expenses and lost wages while you recover. At Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC, our experienced Greenville workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help you through the claims process and fight for the benefits you deserve.

Call (803) 599-2207 today or fill out our online contact form to speak with our experienced Greenville workers' compensation attorneys and get the benefits you deserve!

Forklift Injury Statistics

The dangers of forklifts are clear when you examine the numbers.

• In 2021, 70 workers tragically lost their lives in forklift accidents.
• Over 7,300 workers sustained nonfatal injuries in 2020 that required time off work due to forklift accidents.
• Forklift injuries are often more severe than other workplace injuries. For example, the median number of days off for workplace injuries is 12, but forklift-related injuries result in a median of 17 days off work.

Why Are Forklifts So Dangerous?

Forklifts are heavy and powerful machines, typically weighing three times as much as a standard car. They can travel up to 18 miles per hour, often in confined spaces like warehouses where they operate near other workers.

Here are some reasons why forklifts are particularly hazardous on the job site:

• Forklifts only have brakes in the front, making them harder to stop.
• Their weight is unevenly distributed to prevent tipping forward when carrying heavy loads.
• Forklifts are prone to tipping over because they turn using rear wheels.
• Operators’ vision is often obstructed by the load they are carrying.
• Heavy loads are lifted to dangerous heights, risking falls on nearby workers or the operator.

These characteristics make forklifts potentially dangerous when improperly handled. If a heavy machine caused your workplace injury, our Greenville forklift accident lawyers can help you fight for full compensation.

Top Causes of Forklift-Related Injuries

Forklift accidents happen for a variety of reasons, from operator error to poor maintenance. Some common causes of forklift accidents include the following:

• Driving too fast
• Attempting to transport loads while they are elevated
• Improper techniques for backing up, turning, or braking
• Lack of warnings given to pedestrian workers nearby
• Failure to inspect the forklift’s route beforehand
• Using forklifts improperly, such as giving rides on the forklift or its loads
• Unsafe parking of the forklift
• Horseplay or erratic driving
• Failing to service and maintain the forklift properly

If your accident occurred because of these or other safety failures, you may have a strong workers’ compensation claim.

Common Injuries from Forklift Accidents

Forklift operators and nearby pedestrians can suffer severe or even life-altering injuries from accidents involving these heavy machines. The most commonly reported injuries include the following:

• Head and spinal cord injuries: A load dropped from a forklift can cause catastrophic head or spinal cord trauma to workers below.
• Chronic pain from repetitive movements: Operating forklifts can lead to repetitive strain injuries, musculoskeletal pain, and long-term back pain.
• Whiplash: Sudden stops or collisions during forklift operation can cause whiplash injuries.
• Bone fractures, organ damage, or amputations: Tip-overs, ejections, or crushing accidents involving forklifts can result in broken bones, internal injuries, or loss of limbs.

Immediate medical care is crucial after a forklift injury. It may also form an essential part of your workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Greenville Employees

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system provides injured workers with financial support for medical care and lost income following a workplace accident. Most employers with four or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

If you’ve been injured, you may be entitled to the following benefits through workers’ compensation in Greenville, SC:

• Full coverage of necessary medical treatments and supplies, including surgeries, medications, hospital stays, and rehabilitation.
• Wage replacement of two-thirds of your average weekly income during the time you cannot work.
• Death benefits for eligible dependents in the case of a fatal workplace accident.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means you don’t need to prove that anyone caused your accident to receive benefits. Our Greenville workplace injury attorneys can help you secure the compensation you’re entitled to.

Steps to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in South Carolina

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in South Carolina requires strict compliance with the state’s rules and procedures. If you fail to follow these steps correctly, your claim could be delayed or denied entirely.

Steps to Take After a Forklift Accident:

1. Seek emergency medical care immediately. Prompt treatment not only addresses your injuries but also establishes a medical record linking the injury to your job duties.
2. Report your accident to your employer. You must notify your employer about your injury within 90 days of the accident. Failure to do so could lead to claim denial.
3. Confirm your employer files a claim on your behalf. By law, your employer is required to submit your claim to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission after receiving your notification. If they fail to do this, you can file the claim yourself using Form 50.
4. Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. If your employer delays or denies your claim, or if your benefits are reduced, a Greenville workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Preventing Forklift Accidents in the Workplace

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets strict safety standards for the operation of forklifts and similar machinery in the workplace. Employers must follow these regulations to ensure worker safety and reduce the risk of forklift-related injuries.

Effective prevention methods include:

• Modifying equipment with manufacturer approval only.
• Avoiding forklift operation in areas with dangerous concentrations of flammable gases.
• Ensuring operators receive OSHA-approved training.
• Posting caution and traffic signs prominently in workplaces to warn of forklift operations.
• Inspecting forklift equipment and operating areas regularly.
• Providing operators with safety training, particularly regarding load management and inspections.

Employers who fail to implement these measures may be held accountable for workplace forklift injuries.

Contact a Greenville Work Injury Lawyer Today

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is complex, and navigating the claims process can be overwhelming for an injured worker. If you make a mistake when filing your claim, your benefits could be delayed or denied—adding financial stress to an already difficult situation.

At Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC, we believe every worker deserves a safe workplace. If you suffer a forklift or workplace injury in Greenville, our experienced lawyers are here to help. We can guide you through the workers’ compensation process, fight for fair benefits, and protect your rights.

Free Consultation Available

We are proud to serve employees in Greenville and the surrounding communities, and we’re ready to help you get the benefits you deserve.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today at (803) 599-2207 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Greenville forklift accident lawyer.