Abogado de Lesiones por Montacargas en Riverside
Riverside Forklift Work Injury Attorney
Riverside is a rapidly growing area of California, and industries like manufacturing, construction, and transportation have contributed many economic opportunities to the area. Forklift work is essential in many industries, but it is possible for forklift accidents to cause serious injuries. If you have been hurt this way, you need to speak to a Riverside forklift work injury lawyer at your first opportunity to discuss your legal options.
Representing Victims of Forklift Work Injuries in Riverside
En abogados en el Diefer Law Group have years of experience guiding injured clients in Riverside and surrounding areas of California through the workers’ compensation filing process. We know the various challenges you might encounter in your efforts to obtain benefits and how to help you overcome them. In every case we accept, our goal is to maximize our client’s recovery as fully as possible.
Según la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales, California’s private industry reported about 363,900 workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, and 236,700 of these were severe enough to result in time away from work, require new job training, or result in permanent disability. The Administración de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (OSHA) reports that forklift accidents result in anywhere from 75 to 95 deaths and 8,000 to 9,000 injuries in the United States each year.
It’s possible for forklift accidents to happen in many ways:
- Forklift rollovers and tip-overs are some of the most common forklift accidents in the United States each year. These accidents can happen when these vehicles are mishandled or when forklift operators do not use the lifting arms correctly. These accidents can also happen from taking corners too sharply, especially when the forklift is carrying something heavy.
- Collisions with pedestrians, objects, and surfaces can easily cause severe injuries. Forklift operators must use lights and signals at all times and use caution whenever they drive these vehicles through areas with lots of foot traffic.
- Forklift accidents can also entail falling loads. If the items lifted by the vehicle are not stable, they can fall and severely injure anyone below.
The first steps you take following any forklift accident at work in California are crucial. You have limited time to report the injury to your supervisor to ensure you qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you do not file your report on time, your employer may deny responsibility for the injury, and you will be unable to file your claim. After receiving medical care and reporting the injury, speak with a forklift work injury lawyer in Riverside enseguida.
Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Forklift Injury at Work
Legislación de California requires almost every private employer in the state to carry workers’ comp insurance, and most regular employees are covered. If you were performing your job duties when the accident happened, you are likely eligible to file a claim for prestaciones de compensación a los trabajadores. Fault does not factor into these cases, so it is possible for you to have caused your own injury and still qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
There are some exceptions to the no-fault rule, however. For example, if you were working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you intentionally violated workplace safety rules, you could be disqualified from receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Your attorney can explain what to expect if you are concerned about your fault influencing your ability to file a claim.
As part of the filing process, you will likely be required to undergo a medical evaluation with a workers’ compensation doctor approved by your employer’s insurance company. This doctor will assess your condition and assign a disability rating that reflects the severity of the injury you suffered. This rating will then determine how much you can get in workers’ compensation benefits.
Once the insurance firm receives your completed claim, they will review the details and may reach out for more information before delivering their determination of benefits. Some insurance companies will attempt to justify lowball settlement offers, but your Riverside work injury lawyer can ensure you are treated fairly.
Maximizing Your Recovery From a Forklift Work Injury in Riverside
Un éxito workers’ comp claim in Riverside typically provides two forms of benefits. First, the insurance firm will pay for all medical expenses related to your injury. This can include immediate healthcare expenses as well as ongoing costs for rehabilitation like physical therapy. Second, they will provide disability benefits based on your disability rating and capacity to work.
Partial disability benefits may be paid to an injured worker who can still work but cannot earn the money they usually make due to their injury. These benefits can continue until they recover enough to resume working at their usual earning capacity. Total disability benefits are paid when a worker cannot work at all during their recovery. Each weekly payment will be a percentage of their average weekly wage.
While workers’ compensation benefits are an invaluable lifeline to any injured worker and can offset the financial strain of medical bills and lost wages, there are limits to what workers’ compensation insurance will provide. Under certain conditions, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury case that could enhance your recovery.
An employer is typically protected from civil liability when they have workers’ compensation insurance, so it is unlikely that you will have grounds to file a personal injury case against your employer. However, if your forklift accident occurred due to a defective vehicle or because of the actions of a third party, you may have grounds to file a separate third-party personal injury case. If successful, it could yield compensation for your pain and suffering.
What to Expect From Your Riverside Forklift Work Injury Lawyer
The right attorney is an invaluable asset to your recovery efforts following any type of serious injury at work. When you choose the Diefer Law Group to represent you, you will have a responsive legal advocate readily available to answer questions and address concerns that arise throughout your case. Our goal is to help you maximize your recovery as fully as California law allows.
We take time to develop an individualized legal strategy for each client we represent. You have limited time to pursue the benefits you need for recovery, so it is important to speak with the legal representation you trust right away after your forklift accident at work. Póngase en contacto con el Diefer Law Group hoy to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Riverside forklift work injury lawyer.
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