Forklift Accident at Work - St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney

According to OSHA, there are roughly 85 deaths and 34,900 injuries each year caused by forklift accidents in the U.S.

Workers in Missouri who have to operate such machinery are at great risk. Those who are employed in warehouses and other industrial workplaces commonly come in direct contact with forklifts, and all it takes is one small mistake to get injured.

When that happens, Missouri workers have a way of covering their injuries.

Common Forklift Injuries

Forklifts are essential pieces of equipment in some industries. They are tasked with lifting or stacking fairly heavy loads, and realistically there is no other option of handling large cargo the same way.

However, essential as they may be, in certain circumstances they can also be dangerous. Forklift accidents can happen when:

• A worker is directly hit by it;

• There are too many workers near the forklift’s area of activity;

• A malfunction causes the cargo to fall;

• An improperly secured cargo causes the forklift to tip or slope.

These scenarios can often lead to the following injuries:

• Bruising

• Fractures

• Concussions or other head injuries

• Crush injuries

• Back or spine injuries

What to Do If You Get Hurt

Those who get hurt at their workplace in Missouri are generally eligible for workers compensation, which are insurance policies specifically designed to protect the employees in case they get injured as a direct result of their job.

If you operate a forklift, get injured, and need to get medical treatment, then all the costs of your medical treatment will generally be covered by workers' compensation benefits. Additionally, if you are also required to miss time off work to recover, the benefits will also account for partial reimbursement of your lost wages.

However, you should know that even if the insurance policy is taken with a private company, as a state-run program, there are some specific regulations you’ll need to follow to get compensated. It involves:

• Officially notifying your employer of your injury in writing;

• Seeing the doctor approved by your employer and insurance company;

• If you suspect there is something wrong with your claim, you have the right to appeal, but you have a 20-day window to do so.

If the injury was severe and you get to call 911 and go to the emergency room, don’t worry. Workers compensation benefits will generally cover these costs as well. The only problem with your medical care is that you are required to seek treatment from the doctor chosen by the employer or the insurance company.

Injured at work while operating a forklift? The law says you are entitled to compensation! Reach out to a St. Louis workers comp attorney for further guidance on how to proceed, and see if there are any other benefits available to you. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4300 for a FREE consultation.