What Is A Forklift Truck Accident Claim?
Many workplaces use forklift trucks as an easy and convenient way to move heavy items around. This helps to avoid lifting injuries and allows large amounts of heavy goods to be arranged quickly and accurately. Unfortunately, forklift trucks can also be somewhat dangerous. A forklift truck accident claim is a legal process that allows you to obtain compensation if you were injured in a forklift truck accident.
There are many different types of forklift truck accident. They are mostly caused by driver inattention or poor training. In other cases, they may result from a variety of unsafe working practices or poorly-maintained equipment. Forklift truck accidents can include any accidents that you would associate with other vehicles, as well as impalement injuries or crush injuries from the objects being carried by the forklift truck being dropped. In many forklift truck accidents, it is actually the driver who is injured. This is often due to the forklift truck being used on an inappropriate surface, too close to a ledge for example, or being incorrectly loaded, leading to a tipping accident. Whatever kind of forklift truck accident you have experienced, you may be able to make a forklift truck accident compensation claim.
Experiencing A Forklift Accident Is Not Easy
Experiencing a forklift truck accident is stressful, especially if your injuries take a long time to heal, or if you have to take time off work while you recover. Not only is there considerable pain and discomfort, there can also be an emotional consequence from what has happened to you and you may even be placed in financial difficulties if you have additional expenses or are unable to work following your forklift truck accident. Our team of personal injury claims solicitors are here to help.
Taking legal action to get compensation for your forklift truck accident might seem like a big step, and we know that many of our clients worry that it will add more stress to an already difficult time, and that it will be time-consuming and difficult. Our experienced team of forklift truck accident claims specialists can take all of the worry out of making your forklift truck accident compensation claim, leaving you to concentrate on your recovery.
If you have suffered a forklift truck accident and would like more information about whether you are able to make a compensation claim, or if you are ready to begin the process of making your claim, call us on 0800 567 7074 or 0121 565 4317 or claim online today. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and our dedicated team are here to help.
Steps You Can Take Following Your Forklift Truck Accident To Support Your Compensation Claim
The most important thing after any forklift truck accident is to make sure that you are safe from any further harm and that you have access to the medical assistance you need. Only once you have made sure that this is sorted should you consider taking a few simple steps to help support your claim, if you feel that you are able to do so.
One of the easiest and most important things that you can do following your forklift truck accident is to write down exactly what happened. This should include anything relevant in the lead up to your forklift truck accident, including anything that might have increased the risk of your forklift truck accident. Any details that you remember should be noted down, whether you think that they are relevant or not. This record means that you will have supporting evidence and helps to prevent you forgetting important details that might later be useful to support your compensation claim.
Take Witness Statements And Details
It can also be worth making sure that you have a note of the names and contact details of anyone who might have witnessed your forklift truck accident. If there is anyone who can support your description as to what happened, or who can back up your assertion as to who was to blame, this can be an advantage when it comes to making your compensation claim.
Videos and photographs of the area in which your forklift truck accident took place can also be helpful, especially if they show any details which might have made your forklift truck accident more likely or which led to your injuries being more serious than they should have been. Only take photographs and videos if you can do so legally and safely. If you are unsure, we are more than happy to organise this for you.
These are all things that can make it easier to make a forklift truck accident compensation claim. If any of these are difficult for you, please don’t worry. Our dedicated team of personal injury claims specialists are available 24 hours a day to help you. Call us on 0121 565 4317 or claim online now.
How Much Compensation Am I Likely To Receive Following My Forklift Truck Accident?
Although we understand why you want to know how much compensation you can receive for your forklift truck accident, every compensation claim is unique. The amount that you receive will depend on the exact nature of your injuries and how severe an impact your forklift truck accident has had on your life.
Compensation claims for all accidents and injuries, including forklift truck accidents, are in two main parts. The first is to compensate you for the pain and suffering that you have experienced. The guideline amounts for these are ranges set by the Judicial College, and are set nationally and reviewed regularly. These guideline ranges for any particular injury can be very broad, which allows them to take into account the individual nature of your specific forklift truck accident case. Our years of experience helping people just like you with their forklift truck accident compensation claim allows us to give you the best possible estimate of where in this range your injury is likely to fall.
Compensation Amounts For Forklift Accident Claims
Your compensation claim will also include an amount based on the impact that your forklift truck accident has had on your life. This is designed to make sure that you do not lose out financially as a result of your forklift truck accident. This can include the cost of any medical treatment that you may have had to pay for privately, for example if there is a long delay to access physiotherapy via the NHS you can be reimbursed for this if you pay privately. If you are unable to work during your recovery, you can also apply for money to compensate you for the money you would have earned had you still been able to work. If your injuries are very serious, you may be able to claim for any modifications you need to your home or vehicle to make sure that you are able to continue to live the life you want.
As may now be obvious, the amount that you are able to claim in the second part of this compensation is often far greater than that available if you were just taking the Judicial College guidelines into account. Our dedicated team are able to ensure that you are claiming for the full range of expenses you are entitled to, because we believe that you should never be left worse off as a result of a forklift truck accident that wasn’t your fault.
How Can Free Legal Justice Help Me With My Truck Accident Claims?
Our team of expert no win no fee personal injury claims solicitors understand that the period following your forklift truck accident is likely to have been exceedingly stressful. We want to make the process of making a forklift truck accident compensation claim as easy and straightforward as possible. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 567 7074 or 0121 565 4317 to offer you the advice and assistance you need. You can also claim online, and we will arrange a free call back at a time that is convenient to you.
Our teams of forklift truck accident claims specialists are highly-trained, and know how important it is to take the time to listen to what happened to you. We want to make sure that we fully understand the details of your case, especially the circumstances surrounding your forklift truck accident, who you believe is at fault, the full extent of the injuries you have sustained and the impact this has had on your life. Once we have all of this information, we are able to give you personalised care and advice that we believe you deserve.
Our Team Does All The Hard Work
Our expert teams are also able to carry out almost all of the paperwork and forms required for your forklift truck accident compensation claim. We know that our clients find the process of making a compensation claim to be stressful, and that the idea of time-consuming and complex forms puts many people off from getting the compensation you deserve. We can take over all of this. For the few forms that do still require your personal attention, we can arrange a home visit to help you complete these, if you prefer.
If you are considering making a forklift truck accident compensation claim, you don’t have to do it alone. Call now or claim online to see how easy it can be.
What If I Can’t Afford Legal Help With My Forklift Truck Accident Claim?
We want you to have access to the expert legal advice you need to have the best chance with your forklift truck accident compensation claim, without needing to put yourself at financial risk or making any up front payments. This is why we offer our services on a no win no fee basis to most of our clients.
When you instruct us as your solicitors on a no win no fee basis, we are able to act on your behalf, without you needing to pay anything at all until you receive the compensation you are entitled to. If we are not able to get you the compensation you deserve, you won’t owe us anything. This means that you are able to seek the compensation you need without worrying that you will be financially worse off as a result.
Is It No Win No Fee For Forklift Accident Claims?
In a minority of cases, we are not able to offer our services on a no win no fee basis. We will always let you know in the unlikely event that your forklift truck accident compensation case falls into this category and we will discuss the different funding options available to you to ensure that you are still able to access the help you need.
If you are thinking of making a forklift truck accident compensation claim, call now on 0800 567 7074 or 0121 565 4317 or claim online and let us help you to get the compensation you deserve for your forklift truck accident.
Could I Lose My Job If I Make A Forklift Truck Accident Compensation Claim?
You should always be able to continue working in your old job, despite making a forklift truck accident compensation claim, provided that your injuries do not mean that you are unable to perform the tasks required. Your employer is not allowed to punish you in any way for making a forklift truck accident compensation claim, so your old job should still be available to you.
Good employers would never want to punish an employee for claiming the compensation they are entitled to following a forklift truck accident. They appreciate that you need the compensation you are awarded to ensure that you are able to continue life as before and to help you get back to where you were.
Another advantage of making a forklift truck accident compensation claim is that it can help to improve safety and conditions for everyone at your workplace, not just yourself. Suffering a forklift truck accident because your employer failed to protect you could happen to anyone, and making a compensation claim highlights to your employer the ways in which their systems are not sufficient. This encourages them to take action to make improvements which will benefit your colleagues as well as yourself.
We Claim From The Insurance Company – NOT Your Employer
It is also important to know that your employer will always have a form of insurance known as Employers Liability Insurance, which covers them for any accident at work compensation claims, including forklift truck accident claims. This means that you do not need to worry that the company you work for will be unable to continue as a result of your forklift truck accident compensation claim.
If you are considering making a forklift truck accident compensation claim and you wold like to discuss the impact that this might have on your job, or if you have any other questions, please call us on 0800 567 7074 or 0121 565 4317 or claim online now. We are available to help 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
How Do I Make A Forklift Truck Accident Compensation Claim?
The process of making forklift truck accident compensation claim is the same as that for almost all personal injury claims
Most people who have suffered a forklift truck accident will want to take legal advice before starting their forklift truck accident compensation claim, and we believe that this is a very good idea. We are available 24/7 to ensure that you can access the help you need whenever suits you. You can call us on 0800 567 7074 or 0121 565 4317 or claim online to make sure that you get the support and assistance you need for your forklift truck accident claim.
We Contact The Other Side
We will write to the person to blame for your forklift truck accident on your behalf. We inform them that you are making a compensation claim for your forklift truck accident and that you hold them responsible. We give them a deadline by which they need to either accept that this is true, or provide an explanation as to why they disagree.
If the other party does not accept that they were to blame for your forklift truck accident, we will prove this to them. We will provide them with evidence and supporting documentation to demonstrate that we can present a convincing case in court. It is extremely rare for an employer to continue to dispute liability beyond this point.
Liability Accepted For Your Accident
After the other side have admitted that they were at fault in your forklift truck accident claim, it is time to negotiate the compensation amount. Although we will handle all of the negotiations on your behalf, you remain in control at all times. We will inform you of all amounts that are offered to you and it will be your decision as to whether you accept or reject each offer. We will give you our expert advice, based on our years of training and experience making forklift truck accident compensation claims, but the final decision will always rest with you.
The vast majority of forklift truck accident compensation claims are resolved without having to go to court, through the process described above. If it is not possible to reach an agreement as to how much compensation is fair, or if the other party refuses to accept that they were to blame, your case might need to be resolved by a judge. This is not as daunting as it might sound, especially as we’re with you the whole way through.
You will only need to pay any fees to us after the negotiations have been concluded and your compensation amount has been agreed and is available to you. Our fees are set as a minor percentage of your compensation payment, meaning that the bulk of the money will always be there to help you during your recovery from your forklift truck accident.
How Do I Start Making A Forklift Truck Accident Compensation Claim?
Many of our clients are concerned at first, often feeling unsure as to whether to make a forklift truck accident compensation claim or not. Our professional team of personal injury claims solicitors are experienced at helping people like you to successfully get the compensation they deserve after a forklift truck accident.
If you are thinking of making a compensation claim for your forklift truck accident, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Call us free on 0800 567 7074 (if using a mobile, call 0121 565 4317 for calls included in your minutes or charged at a local rate) or claim online to arrange your free, no obligation consultation. We can call you back at a time of your choosing, or even arrange a home visit if that would make your claim easier for you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to make sure that you can access the help you need at a time that suits you.
We Will Listen To You
During our conversation, we will need to ensure that have the full picture of what happened with your forklift truck accident. This includes the full extent of your injuries, the circumstances surrounding your forklift truck accident (including who you believe was to blame) and the ways in which your life has been affected by your forklift truck accident. As soon as we understand this, we are in a position to provide you with the kind of personalised advice that you need.
How Quickly Can I Expect My Forklift Truck Accident Compensation Claim To Be Resolved?
All forklift truck accident compensation claims are different, and some of them will take far longer to resolve than others. We endeavour to resolve all our clients’ cases as quickly as possible to allow them to move on with their lives and get them the compensation payment they need to do so.
Cases that are resolved quickly can take as little as just a few weeks. For a case to completed this fast, it has to be very simple and the other party will have accepted that they were to blame for your forklift truck accident almost straight away. This removes the need for time-consuming tasks such as gathering evidence and demonstrating who was responsible for what happened to you. These cases are usually for less serious injuries involving smaller sums of money, as this reduces the incentive for the other party to put significant effort into reducing your claim through negotiation.
Complicated Forklift Accident Claims
Forklift truck accident compensation claims which take longer to be resolved tend to be the very complicated ones. This could be because the injuries involved are very serious, requiring lots of evidence and testimony to understand the appropriate amount of compensation. Alternatively, it could be because the other person refuses to accept liability, or liability is shared between multiple parties. Complicated claims like these will usually take far longer to be resolved.
What If There Is No Record Of My Forklift Truck Accident In The Accident Book?
Your workplace will always have an accident book, which is there to record all accidents, injuries and near misses that occur. By ensuring that all events are listed in the accident book, it is possible to look at a company’s health and safety history in detail. All injuries should be recorded as soon as possible after they occur, to ensure that the person completing the record can have the most accurate information, although this should not be done at the expense of looking after anyone who has been injured.
Sometimes, an accident is not recorded in the accident book. There can be different reasons for this. In cases of a very serious accident, looking after the person who has been injured must be the first priority, and the accident book can be forgotten until much later. Alternatively, some employers might fail to include an accident, such as your forklift truck accident, in an attempt to deny that they were at fault.
Forklift Accident Claims Not Written In The Accident Book – Now what?
Although the accident book can be useful in supporting your forklift truck accident compensation claim, it is not essential. If your forklift truck accident was not recorded in the accident book, we may need to offer additional evidence to support your claim, such as witness statements or photos and videos. However we prove what happened, we can still get you the compensation you deserve.
If your employer has not recorded your forklift truck accident in the accident book, it is important that you make sure that you have some kind of evidence that you have informed them of what happened to you and asked them to record it. The easiest way to do this is to email them your account of what happened and ask them to ensure that it is recorded. This can then be used to support your compensation claim and also to demonstrate that your employer is acting in bad faith, if they claim that they were unaware of your forklift truck accident.
I Suffered A Forklift Truck Accident. Can I Claim Compensation?
If you have suffered a forklift truck accident, you may be unsure as to whether you are entitled to claim compensation. In most cases, you will be able to make a claim, but there are a few conditions that must be met.
The most basic requirement for making a forklift truck accident compensation claim is that you must have suffered a forklift truck accident and had some form of damage or loss as a result. Your injury could be either physical or mental, but you cannot make a compensation claim if you have not experienced any negative consequences from your forklift truck accident. Although experiencing a near miss can be alarming, you are only able to claim for accidents that actually happened, not those which you narrowly avoided.
Was Someone To Blame For Your Accident At Work?
The next criteria for making a forklift truck accident compensation claim is that there must be someone else who was responsible for your forklift truck accident. There must be someone else to blame. This doesn’t need to be a specific person, it can be an organisation, such as the council, or a company, such as your employer. The important thing is that there must have been someone with a legal responsibility to look after your safety. Your employer has this responsibility for all accidents that take place in the workplace.
The person who was to blame for your forklift truck accident must have been able to predict or foresee this event occurring. This is not saying that they must have known that it would happen, but it must have been sufficiently plausible that a reasonable person in that role should have been able to anticipate something along those lines taking place.
The last part of the requirements for making a forklift truck accident compensation claim is whether the other party took sufficient action to help improve the situation. Even if they did put some measures in place to improve the health and safety situation, you are still able to make a claim if these were not sufficient.
Contact Our Forklift Accident Claims Team Today
If you have suffered a forklift truck accident and someone else was to blame, whether through their negligence or carelessness, you are entitled to compensation. If you are considering making a forklift truck accident compensation claim, don’t delay. Call us now on 0800 567 7074 or 0121 565 4317 or claim online to discover how we can help you to get the compensation you deserve.
Useful Links Below
Above link gives all the safety details and tips to keep your workplace safe
HTS link above offers help and advice for people in the UK regarding forklift safety
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