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Fork Lift Truck Accident Compensation

Introduction to Fork Lift Truck (FLT) Accidents
  Introductory information about Fork Lift Accidents
Common Injuries caused by Fork Lift Trucks
  How Accidents with Fork Lift Trucks happen
News Stories about Fork Lift Truck Accident Claims we have dealt with
  Examples of successful Fork Lift Truck Injury Claims
Feedback from clients we have helped with Fork Lift Truck Accident Claims
  People we have helped make Fork Lift Truck Injury Compensation Claims
Fork Lift Truck Accident Compensation Claim Advice
  How to start a claim if you have been injured by a Fork Lift Truck

Introduction to Fork Lift Truck (FLT) Accidents

Introductory information about Fork Lift Accidents

According to statistics, one worker in the UK is killed every six weeks as a result of accidents involving fork lift trucks (FLT's).  Many more suffer very serious injuries.

The term ‘fork lift truck’ could cover not only fork lift trucks but also ‘reach trucks’ which operate to retrieve and place items on high stacks and also ‘stand up’ trucks on which the driver stands to steer and control that truck.

Although fork lift trucks can be very useful pieces of work equipment they are also very dangerous and are to blame for more serious accidents at work than cars and HGV's combined.  Every day of the year a British worker needs hospital treatment after being injured by a fork lift truck.

Research shows that approximately two thirds of fork lift truck accidents cause injury to someone other than the driver of the fork lift truck.  This means that anyone working in the vicinity of a fork lift truck or anyone visiting premises which uses fork lift trucks could be at risk of injury as well as the driver of the fork lift itself.

Members of the public are at risk of being injured by a fork lift truck whilst visiting DIY stores, garden centres or warehouses open to the public where they are used regularly.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a fork lift truck you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim.  For more information complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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Common Injuries caused by Fork Lift Trucks

How Accidents with Fork Lift Trucks happen

There are many different ways in which a person can be injured by a fork lift truck. Some of the more common accidents involving fork lift trucks we hear about are:

  • Cases where a fork lift truck has toppled over due to being used on an unsuitable surface such as a steep slope or where there are potholes or drains.
  • Cases where a load has fallen from a fork lift truck onto a passer-by.
  • Cases where a fork lift truck has collided with a pedestrian (for example running over their foot or crushing them between the truck and another object).
  • Cases where the fork lift or reach truck causes items on high level racking to be pushed off the top of the racking or stack into a gangway on the other side thus injuring another person working on the other side.
  • Cases where the fork lift truck collides with lockers, other objects or equipment causing that equipment to fall and injure or crush someone.
  • Collisions between two forklift trucks or another reach truck or vehicle.
  • Cases when the fork lift truck driver himself steps off the truck and into a pothole or other dangerous depression in the floor surface.
  • Cases with fork lifts being driven at speed and carelessly.
  • Cases where someone is injured in stepping aside from an approaching fork lift that is being driven carelessly or too close.

To drive a fork lift truck in the UK a person is obliged by Law to undergo the correct training.  Unfortunately we do hear of accidents which have been caused by people driving fork lift trucks who are not qualified to do so.

Workplaces using fork lift trucks should also supply the operators with the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as fluorescent jackets, hard hats and safety boots and should inspect and maintain the fork lift trucks to a safe condition.

Employers have a duty under s 17 of the Workplace ( Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to ensure that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate in a safe manner. Therefore employers should assess the working environment and try to separate the areas in which fork lift trucks operate from the areas where pedestrians are likely to be.  There should be separation of vehicular and pedestrian routes. Protective barriers should be located just beyond entrances and exits to prevent pedestrians stepping out into the path of a passing fork lift truck. The vehicular routes for fork lifts should be clearly marked. Fork lift trucks should give way and precedence to pedestrians in light of the relative danger that both pose towards each other.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a fork lift truck accident you may be able to make a compensation claim.  For more information about how we can help you contact us on 08000 224 224.

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News Stories about Fork Lift Truck Accident Claims we have dealt with

Examples of successful Fork Lift Truck Injury Claims

In the past we have published news stories on our website about compensation claims we have dealt with for people injured by fork lift trucks.  To read a selection of these, follow the links below or to read all of our news stories, visit our News Desk.

14th July 2011 - Firm pays compensation after pothole causes forklift accident

4th January 2010 - £110,000 for GMB member injured by forklift truck

12th October 2009 - Student receives compensation after losing his leg

17th November 2008 - Businesses Warned About Importance of Basic Health and Safety

12th February 2008 - Warehouseman who suffered an injury following an accident with a forklift truck receives compensation

16th January 2008 - NHS Logistics Authority pays factory worker damages after fork lift truck injury left him with a partially amputated foot

If you or someone you know has been injured by a fork lift truck you may be able to make a personal injury claim. For more information, complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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Feedback from clients we have helped with Fork Lift Truck Accident Claims

People we have helped make Fork Lift Truck Injury Compensation Claims

Crushed by Fork Lift Truck

Greg Arde was working for a company in Wales when he was asked to drive a fork lift truck without any training or a valid licence. The truck toppled over onto him and crushed him causing spinal injuries and head injuries.

Mr Arde said that he was happy with the amount of compensation he was awarded, which would help to pay for a specially adapted house for him to live in and round-the-clock care costs.

Mick Antoniw from Thompsons’ Cardiff office said the figure was decided upon following "a period of intense negotiations".

"As far as I am aware this is one of the largest ever settlements for an adult in south Wales.

"Greg is a remarkable individual who has learned to cope with catastrophic injuries. The compensation will help him put the accident behind him and reconstruct his life."

"He used to be a keen rugby player and he still goes to watch sports matches. He was a very fit young man."

"The money is a relief to him that it's over. It had to be in this region for him to be able to pay for his care regime that gives him his quality of life."

Struck in Back by Fork Lift Truck

Mrs Davis was at work at the time of her accident and was moving a pallet from the warehouse to the spring shop. Mrs Davis was making her way through a plastic curtain when she was hit in the back by a fork lift truck.

The plastic curtains were dirty and could not be seen through and the fork lift truck driver failed to sound the vehicle's horn or give any warnings of its approach.

Mrs Davis suffered a back injury as a result of the accident and needed extensive physiotherapy and acupuncture. Thompsons Solicitors recovered £7,500 compensation for her and an extract of her thank you letter read "This is just to say thank you for what you have done for me over my claim. I found that all ... that was asked of you was done very quickly and I would tell everyone to go through you if they needed to make a claim. Thank you once again."

If you or someone you know has been injured in a fork lift truck accident you may be able to make a claim for accident compensation.  For more information about how we could help you on a cost-free basis contact us on 08000 224 224.

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Fork Lift Truck Accident Compensation Claim Advice

How to start a claim if you have been injured by a Fork Lift Truck

If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a fork lift truck accident, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim including claims for accidents involving fork lift trucks. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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