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Bethlehem Lawyer for Forklift Injuries at Work

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    Forklift operators are supposed to have proper training, and the facility should have enough space for a forklift to maneuver.  While the forklift is operating, other workers should be out of the path so they do not get run over or hit by a turning machine.  However, many accidents happen because of mistakes in these safety rules, resulting in serious work injuries.

    If you were hurt at work, you should have one of our lawyers review your case.  We can help you file for Workers’ Compensation, getting you coverage for your medical bills and lost wages caused by the forklift accident.

    Call Cardamone Law at (267) 651-7945 for a free review of your potential case with our Certified Bethlehem Workers’ Compensation Specialists.

    Workers’ Compensation for Forklift Injuries in Bethlehem

    If you were hurt at work in a forklift accident, you could be entitled to benefits through Workers’ Compensation.  Employers throughout Pennsylvania are required to have Workers’ Compensation insurance that will cover their employees’ medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages.

    Filing a Workers’ Comp claim means reporting the accident to your employer so they can file a claim with their insurance carrier.  When you do this, it is important to make sure they have all the information currently available.  Make sure to report your accident to your supervisor or manager in writing, if possible.  Also save any medical records, incident reports, and other records you have about the accident and the injuries you suffered.

    Your injuries should be covered as long as the accident was “work-related.”  A forklift accident that happened at work while you were doing work tasks should quite clearly fit into this category, requiring your employer’s insurance to cover you.

    However, just because your injury should be covered does not mean your employer’s insurance carrier is going to willingly provide full coverage.  Our lawyers for forklift injuries at work can help you provide full information in your report and challenge any denials or delays if the insurance carrier tries to keep you from getting the benefits you should be entitled to.

    Common Forklift Accidents at Work in Bethlehem

    Forklift accidents can happen in different circumstances to different people, some of whom might not even be involved in the forklift’s operation:

    Falling Items/Materials

    If the forklift is not properly loaded before lifting pallets or materials, it could fall off the lift and hit someone.  In many cases, this comes down to improper loading, where the operator might be trying to pick up something that is an odd shape or has no pallet secured to it.

    Crashes

    While forklifts are not particularly speedy, it can be difficult for an operator to see where they are going.  Crashes involving forklifts can cause pretty serious injuries, especially if you get hit by the metal forks or run over by these weighty vehicles.  Being struck by the forks at speed could cause devastating injuries, even though these kinds of accidents are quite rare.

    Tipping and Falling

    Operating a forklift on a ramp or near an edge can be quite dangerous.  If the vehicle falls or tips over, it can injure anyone in the landing zone as well as the driver.  Forklifts can also become unstable or unbalanced if the materials being lifted are too heavy, potentially causing the whole forklift to tip forward after reaching a certain height.

    Clearing Jams/Mechanical Issues

    If there is a mechanical problem or the lift gets jammed, workers might simply try to clear the jam or otherwise fix the machinery – and their methods might not be very technically sound.  Hitting or slamming something into the machine might get it unstuck, but if the jam clears while your body is in the way, the injuries could be severe.

    Pinning Injuries

    Operators are not always looking out for other people when maneuvering in tight spaces.  If a forklift backs into you and pins you against a wall, you could face very serious injuries.

    Falling Out

    Falling out of the driver’s seat while operating a forklift could cause you serious injuries in the fall – especially if you had no hard hat or other protective gear.  This could also leave the forklift uncontrolled, potentially causing it to tip, fall, or crash.

    Workers’ Compensation Requirements for Forklift Accidents in Bethlehem

    Accidents at work often cannot be grounds for a lawsuit – at least not against your employer.  Workers’ Comp is designed to be the primary way that injured workers get damages for their injuries, and workers are not usually allowed to sue their employer for an accident.

    Workers’ Comp does not require you to prove fault before you get compensation.  Your injury just needs to be considered work-related for it to qualify you for benefits.  The only causation issues that might be considered are whether you caused the “accident” on purpose.  Insurance carriers can also deny claims if the injured worker caused their own accident because they were drunk or high.  If a coworker crashed into you with a forklift because they were drunk or high, that should not be enough to ruin your claim; your employer should be screening workers for these types of risks.

    Lawsuits are often allowed against third parties, such as the manufacturer of defective safety gear or a defective forklift.  However, most forklift accidents are going to be caused by someone on-site on the day of the accident, and a lawsuit usually cannot cover that.  Moreover, many people are injured either by their own actions or by an employer’s mistakes, both of which cannot be grounds for a lawsuit anyway.

    Call Our Workplace Forklift Accident Lawyers in Bethlehem Today

    Call (267) 651-7945 for a free case assessment with the lawyers for forklift injuries at work in Bethlehem at Cardamone Law.

    Awards & Recognitions

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    Cardamone Law Has Negotiated Some of the Largest Workers’ Comp Settlements in Pennsylvania

    $6 Million
    Acted as Co-Counsel on a Case that Settled
    $2.2 Million
    Spinal Injury
    $897,000
    Lower Back Injury
    $740,000
    Amputation
    $650,000
    Lower Back Injury
    $550,000
    Neck Injury
    $425,000
    Leg Injury
    $375,000
    Knee Injury
    $325,000
    Ankle Injury
    $6 Million
    Acted as Co-Counsel on a Case that Settled
    $2.2 Million
    Spinal Injury
    $897,000
    Lower Back Injury
    $740,000
    Amputation
    $650,000
    Lower Back Injury
    $550,000
    Neck Injury
    $425,000
    Leg Injury
    $375,000
    Knee Injury
    $325,000
    Ankle Injury

    Client Testimonials

    "Without a doubt YOU are the best!!!"

    "Without a doubt YOU are the best!!! Every person who is in the horrible position of being injured at work should have someone as kind, compassionate and knowledgeable as you on their side. You never once made me feel like I was one of a hundred other clients. I always knew you had my back! You answered calls and emails at all hours. You fought every fight for me so I only had to worry about getting well. Behind your nice, calm face there’s a pit bull ready to take on any employer or judge. I can never thank you enough."

    - L. Edall
    Google Reviews
    "Best Law Firm around!"

    "Cardomone law is absolutely fantastic! They are very responsive and helpful and they will fight to get you what you deserve. Shirley is also very helpful whenever you have any questions! Best Law Firm around!"

    - C. Edwards
    Google Reviews
    "Thank you from the bottom of my heart Mike and Shirley!!"

    I called Shirley when I was scared and didn’t know what where my next dime was coming from after I was out with my work injury. Shirley was very kind and helpful guiding me every single step of the way. Mike was not your typical lawyer was not pushy but very responsive to all my gazillion questions. He helped me get my settlement quickly and settlement check in a very timely manner. Would recommend them to anyone! Mike helped calm all my fears and anxieties as I was trying to navigate one of the hardest and most stressful times in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Mike and Shirley!!

    - Jen Thompson
    Google Reviews
    "Michael and Shirley are very dedicated...and getting the maximum amount favorable to my case"

    "Cardamone Law Firm were very helpful to me since day one. Michael and Shirley are very dedicated to my case giving me updates, answering my questions, being honest with my case, and getting the maximum amount favorable to my case. Thank you so much for your service and dedication and helping me to achieve not only your case but to guide and refer me in other needs too! You guys are the best law firm friendly and dedicated. I will recommend to anyone."

    - A. Ortiz
    Google Reviews
    "Michael won my workers comp case after my employer insurance denied my claim."

    "Exceptional firm. Highly recommend this law firm. Michael won my Workers Comp case after my employer insurance denied my claim. Him and his staff were always at my reach for legal and emotional support. Am so happy I hire them. Thanks Michael and Ms. Shirley."

    - Carlos P.
    Google Reviews
    "[They] did an excellent job in getting me financially compensated in a fairly short amount of time."

    "I recently had a work related injury and was receiving Workers' Compensation (medical benefits only). Soon after I was fired, so I contacted Paul Silver at Cardamone Law Firm who did an excellent job in getting me financially compensated in a fairly short amount of time. Paul and his assistant Shirley always responded to any questions I had about the case in a very short amount of time. Thank you for helping me with this difficult case."

    - Robin C.
    Google Reviews
    "Highly recommend."

    "Cardamone Law was great with helping my husband with his Workers Comp issues. Mike and Shirley were the best with letting us know what was going on every step of the way. Highly recommend."

    - Danielle P.
    Google Reviews
    "Mike Cardamone is amazing"

    "Mike Cardamone is amazing. He is "hands down" one of the best lawyers I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He is very kind, understanding, knowledgeable in his field, always very thorough and helpful. He was extremely professional and someone who truly cares about his clients. I felt completely at ease with him. He was a pleasure to work with, explained everything in detail, as well as answered all my questions with knowledge and care. If you want someone you can trust, who communicates every step of the way, will fight for you and make sure you win your case, he is it! I will refer all my family and friends to him. Thank you so much Mike, for everything. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication in helping me."

    - Allie M.
    Google Reviews
    "Best Workers' Comp Lawyer!"

    "Michael is simply the best! He was there for me from day 1 till the end, and we won the case!! He is always available to help. I had a gazillion questions and he would answer them one by one. He's a great lawyer and I feel lucky to have found him online from reading other outstanding reviews about him. Believe me, they're true!"

    - Faith B.
    Google Reviews
    "Great Attorney"

    "Great attorney, handled case quickly and efficiently. I would recommend him and would use him again. He was always available to answer any questions we had. Thank you, Mr. Cardamone."

    - H. Anderson
    Google Reviews