Analyzing forklift injury and fatality statistics before exploring workers’ comp eligibility
Forklifts save workers a lot of manual work, which is why they’re commonly found in a wide range of industries and job sites—including warehouses, construction sites, mining, manufacturing and transportation.
Forklifts are essential heavy equipment in many industries, but they are, unfortunately, a significant cause of workplace accidents, including fatal injuries.
Estimating the annual toll of forklift accidents in the workplace
Additional statistics
- 25% of forklift accidents occur in construction.
- The leading cause of fatalities involving forklifts is pedestrians being struck by the vehicle.
- The second leading cause of fatal events involving forklifts is when the vehicle overturns (tips over).
- The safest place for the driver is to be strapped into the seat with a seat belt.
- Proper operator training and procedures have the potential to reduce accidents by 70%.
| Type of injury | Estimated number of forklift accidents |
|---|---|
| Serious | 35,000 |
| Non-serious | 62,000 |
Source: OSHA: Local Emphasis Program for Powered Industrial Trucks
If you’ve been hurt due to a forklift accident, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights and help you get maximum compensation.
Percentage breakdown of non-fatal injuries by race and ethnicity:
40.86%
Race not reported
29.70%
White
17.04%
Hispanic or Latino
10.40%
Black or African American
1.06%
Asian
0.47%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
0.43%
American Indian or Alaska Native
0.05%
Multi-race
Out of the 87,720 non-fatal reported injuries from the period of 2011-2022, a significant 40.86% of workers did not report their race or ethnic origin.
Among those who did, White workers account for 29.70% of the reported injuries, making them the second-largest group affected.
The high percentage of unreported ethnicity raises questions about possible reasons for non-reporting, most likely including:
- Fear of repercussions.
Workers who are undocumented or uncertain about their legal status might fear that disclosing their race or ethnicity could lead to scrutiny or jeopardize their ability to claim workers’ compensation benefits. - Privacy concerns.
Some workers may choose not to report their race or ethnicity due to concerns about privacy, particularly if they worry that this information could be used against them in some way. - Mistrust of the system.
There might be a general mistrust of the workers’ compensation system, especially among minority communities, leading them to withhold certain personal information.
In-depth analysis of forklift fatalities: Breaking down data by gender, age, race, and injury sites
Despite the many safety measures in place, fatalities related to forklift and powered truck accidents remain a significant concern. Analyzing the data on fatalities, particularly in relation to age, race, ethnicity, and the specific injuries sustained, provides crucial insights into the underlying factors contributing to these tragic incidents.
In the period between 2011-2022, there’s a significant gap between men and women in forklift-related non-fatal and fatal injuries.
| Gender | Non-fatal injuries | Fatal injuries | % of non-fatal injuries | % of fatal injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 76,880 | 815 | 87.50% | 96.44% |
| Female | 10,980 | 30 | 12.49% | 3.55% |
Racial breakdown of fatal forklift fatalities
From 2011-2022, White, non-Hispanic workers represent the highest proportion of fatalities at 63.05%, indicating a significant exposure to hazardous working conditions.
Hispanic or Latino workers follow at 26.9%, while Black or African-American, non-Hispanic workers account for 10% of the fatalities.
These statistics highlight the critical necessity for comprehensive safety protocols, equitable access to training, and strict enforcement of workplace safety regulations. Ensuring all workers, regardless of racial or ethnic background, receive adequate protection and support is paramount in preventing further tragedies and promoting a safer working environment for everyone.
Deaths from forklift, order picker, and powered platform truck accidents by age group (2011-2022)
Fatal occupational injuries: Forklift, order picker, platform truck–powered
The data on fatalities from forklift, order picker, and powered platform truck accidents from 2011 to 2022 reveals several critical insights based on the age distribution of the victims:
Higher fatalities among older workers
- The age group with the highest number of fatalities is 55 to 64 years, with a total of 193 deaths. This significant number indicates that older workers are at a greater risk, possibly due to longer exposure to hazardous environments and potential physical vulnerabilities that come with age.
- Similarly, the 45 to 54 years age group also shows a high number of fatalities, totaling 154 deaths.
Middle-aged workers at risk
- Workers aged 35 to 44 years account for 132 fatalities, highlighting that middle-aged workers are also significantly impacted. This age group, often in their peak working years, may face risks due to the nature of their roles, which likely involve more responsibility and operational tasks involving heavy machinery.
Younger workers
- While younger workers (20 to 24 years) show fewer fatalities (49 deaths), they are still at risk. This could be due to a combination of inexperience and exposure to hazardous tasks early in their careers.
Increased risk with age
- The data clearly indicates that the risk of fatal injuries increases with age. Workers aged 65 and over account for 78 fatalities. Although this number is lower than the middle-aged and younger senior groups, it reflects the vulnerability of older workers in physically demanding and hazardous roles.
Need for targeted safety measures
- The distribution of fatalities across different age groups underscores the necessity for tailored safety measures and training programs. Older workers might benefit from targeted interventions that consider their physical limitations and offer enhanced protection.
- Younger workers, on the other hand, require comprehensive training and mentoring to mitigate the risks associated with inexperience.
Workplace safety implications
- The data suggests that employers need to implement robust safety protocols that cater to the needs of a diverse workforce. This includes periodic safety training, proper maintenance of equipment, and a culture of safety that encourages reporting and addressing potential hazards promptly.
Fatal occupational injuries: Forklift, order picker, platform truck-powered
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | ||||||||||||
| Under 16 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 16-17 | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 18-19 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | – | 4 | – | – |
| 20-24 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 4 | – | – |
| 25-34 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 12 |
| 35-44 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 9 | – | 14 |
| 45-54 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 14 | – | – | – |
| 55-64 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 23 | 28 | – | 20 | 17 |
| 65+ | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 11 | – | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Total fatalities | 64 | 68 | 68 | 61 | 69 | 72 | 54 | 85 | 71 | 33 | 32 | 50 |
What are the most common fatal injury sites in forklift and powered truck accidents?
Answer: Multiple body parts, trunk, head, and chest
Over the last 10 years, the top three injury sites in fatal forklift and powered truck accidents have been multiple body parts, the trunk, and the head. These injuries frequently occur during vehicular and transportation operations, which account for the majority of fatalities.
Multiple body parts
(326 fatalities)
Fatal injuries affecting multiple body parts are the most prevalent. These injuries typically occur in catastrophic events, such as severe collisions or when workers are crushed by equipment during vehicular operations or materials handling operations. The extensive nature of these injuries highlights the extreme severity of the accidents, where workers’ bodies are subjected to significant trauma.
Trunk injuries
(228 fatalities)
Trunk injuries, including severe trauma to the chest and internal organs, are also highly common. Workers involved in vehicular and transportation operations are especially at risk, as these tasks often involve high-risk scenarios like operating or being in close proximity to moving forklifts and trucks. Such injuries often result from workers being crushed between vehicles and other objects or in vehicle rollovers.
Head injuries
(164 fatalities)
Head injuries are another major cause of fatalities, often resulting from incidents where workers are struck by falling objects or equipment during transportation operations. These injuries can occur when workers are ejected from vehicles or struck by unsecured loads during material handling tasks, emphasizing the critical need for proper safety measures.
Behind the numbers:
Real stories of forklift fatalities
| Industry | Reported | Cause of death |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware stores | January 16, 2024 | A male employee was operating a forklift. After picking up a pallet of rebar for a client, he parked the forklift outside the yard. He exited the forklift without setting the emergency brake or turning it off. While securing the gate, the forklift began to roll and pinned the employee between the concrete wall and the machine. The employee suffered fatal crushing injuries to his torso. |
| Oil and gas | January 24, 2024 | A male employee came into contact with a live power line while operating a forklift. He was electrocuted and killed. |
| Construction | November 21, 2023 | A male employee was using a forklift to load pallets onto a box truck. When he attempted to reverse the forklift away from the truck, he discovered it had rolled away. The forklift tipped over, and the employee sustained fatal crushing injuries. |
Source: US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Causes of forklift accidents
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, forklift operators should be well-trained and at least 18 years of age. Unfortunately, even when employers adhere to safety rules and regulations, forklift accidents and injuries still occur regularly.
Some of the main causes of forklift accidents include the following:
- Lack of training. A forklift is a complex machine, and operators need proper training. Even if the operator had undergone training before, they should be retrained every 3 years to prevent accidents.
- Improper loading. When a forklift isn’t loaded correctly, it can easily tip over. When this happens, it can end up crushing the driver or people who are passing by.
- Impaired operation. The forklift operator can be well-trained, but if they operate the machine under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they can quickly cause an accident.
- Lack of safety measures. Forklifts need safety measures like seat belts, lights, handles and overhead guards. Lack of safety measures is another major cause of forklift accidents.
- Forklift collisions. When vehicles and forklifts congest the working site, 2 forklifts can collide and cause an accident. A forklift could also hit a car at the site if drivers fail to follow traffic rules.
Common injuries caused by forklift accidents
Forklift accidents mainly affect people who work on or nearby a forklift. Accidents can occur through coming into contact with a forklift, being hit by a forklift’s load, being stuck in a forklift’s moving parts or tripping and falling off a forklift when it’s in motion.
The most common forklift injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Bruises
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck or spine injuries
- Cuts and punctures
- Muscle strains and tears
- Amputations
Driving forklifts is a common task in various industries and occupations, including:
- Warehouse and distribution centers. Forklift drivers are responsible for loading and unloading deliveries, moving products around the warehouse, and stocking shelves.
- Construction sites. Forklifts are commonly used to move building materials, equipment, and supplies around the construction site.
- Manufacturing facilities. Forklifts are used to move raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods within the factory.
- Farming & agriculture. Forklifts are used to move heavy loads of crops, feed, and equipment on farms and in food processing facilities.
- Retail. Forklifts are used in large retail stores and shopping centers to move merchandise and supplies.
Ben Gerber discusses compensation for Amazon warehouse workers.
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As Amazon grows and strives to ship online purchases faster and faster, its workplace injuries are also rising at a startling rate.
Does workers’ compensation cover forklift accidents?
In Georgia, most employers with 3 or more workers (including part-time) are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover their workers’ medical expenses and lost wages in the event of an injury. That means most Georgia workers who are injured in a forklift accident should be eligible to collect workers’ comp benefits.
Unlike other accidents that may cause minor injuries, forklift accidents can result in significant injuries like amputations that may prevent workers from returning to their job. In those cases, injured workers may be entitled to permanent disability benefits.
Because of the severity of forklift injuries, it’s vital for injured workers to consult an experienced workers’ comp attorney who can fight to get enough compensation to cover their ongoing medical expenses and lost wages.
What benefits are available for workers injured by forklifts?
If you’re hit by a forklift at work, you may be entitled to receive compensation even if you’re responsible for the accident. Workers’ compensation benefits vary by state but may include the following:
- Medical expenses. This includes any medical treatments related to your injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, emergency room visits and all medical supplies and equipment.
- Lost wages. If your injury prevents you from working or forces you to work at a reduced capacity, you’ll receive a portion of your lost wages (typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage) while you recover from your injuries. The length of time you can receive these benefits depends on your disability.
- Death benefits. This provides certain dependents with benefits to cover funeral expenses and lost wages in case of a fatal injury.
The amount and duration of your benefits depend on the specific circumstances of your injury. An attorney can help you understand the full benefits available to you in your particular case.
How much money is
my injury worth?
Use our benefits calculator to find out the amount of PPD benefits you may be eligible for.
What steps should I take after a forklift accident at work in Georgia?
If you are injured in a forklift accident at work, it’s essential to take the following steps to ensure you remain eligible for workers’ comp benefits in Georgia:
- Seek medical attention. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries take time to surface. Failure to seek immediate medical care can make it more difficult to connect your injuries to your work accident, which could impact your ability to collect compensation.
- Report the accident. Notify your employer or supervisor in writing as soon as possible, and be sure to follow your employer’s procedures for reporting accidents and injuries. In Georgia, failure to report your injury within 30 days could prevent you from receiving workers’ comp benefits.
- File a claim. Next, you should file a workers’ compensation claim for your accident so you can start receiving benefits.
- Consult an attorney. If your claim is denied or you’d like help filing your claim or exploring a potential 3rd-party lawsuit, research and hire the best work injury attorney to help you.
Please note that if your employer lays you off or terminates you because you filed a claim or because you’re unable to work while you recover, you should immediately contact a workers’ comp attorney to protect your rights.
What happens to your Georgia workers’ compensation if you’re terminated?
Learn whether or not your employer can fire you for filing a workers’ comp claim in Georgia and how being terminated impacts an existing workers’ comp claim.
How can a workers’ compensation attorney help me after a forklift injury?
An attorney specializing in workers’ compensation can help you in several ways after an on-the-job injury.
- They help you file your claim. An attorney serves as your advocate and will ensure that you get your claim filed promptly, with all necessary evidence and documentation, among other things.
- They ensure you’re treated fairly. The attorney’s primary goal is to represent you throughout the process and ensure that you receive fair treatment from your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance company. An attorney can help if your employer retaliates by firing or demoting you, denies your claim or delays paying your benefits.
- They can negotiate on your behalf. Workers’ compensation insurers look for reasons to dispute claims, and an attorney can represent you in mediation, negotiations and at a hearing.
- They can ensure you get maximum compensation. A workers’ compensation attorney has seen many cases and will ensure that your settlement is fair and includes all the benefits to which you’re entitled.
Can I sue my employer for a forklift injury?
Workers’ compensation insurance is a form of ”no-fault” insurance, which means that, in most cases, you should receive benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. In exchange for this no-fault system, workers typically give up the right to sue their employers after a work injury.
Workers’ compensation vs. personal injury: What’s the difference?
Let’s take a look at the differences between workers’ compensation and personal injuries to see if you are entitled to benefits.
When can I sue a 3rd party?
Depending on the cause of the forklift accident, workers may be able to sue a 3rd party (like a manufacturer or property owner) for additional compensation.
Forklift manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their forklifts are well-designed to avoid accidents. If your employer properly maintained the forklift and provided proper safety measures, then the cause of the accident might fall back on the forklift manufacturer. However, this option isn’t available in all cases, though.
Also, the premises owner is responsible for ensuring that the work area is safe and has no hazards that might lead to accidents. If the condition of the work premises caused your forklift accident, you might have a legal basis to sue through a personal injury lawsuit.
How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim for a forklift injury?
The amount of time you have to file a claim, called the statute of limitations, varies by state. In Georgia, you have 1 year to file a claim after the date of your injury or after the date you discovered your injury or illness. If you don’t file by this deadline, the workers’ compensation insurance will likely reject your claim.
Certain filing exceptions exist, so if you have questions about the filing deadline for your claim, you should consult a workers’ compensation attorney.
How can I prevent forklift accidents in the workplace?
Forklift safety is not something that a 1-time training class can adequately address. It must become a consistently reinforced element of a company’s culture.
Safety starts with proper training. Drivers must understand the protocols for driving, carrying loads and other vehicle maneuvers. OSHA requirements also mandate training and certification for forklift drivers, with performance assessments every 3 years.
Other safety protocols to avoid forklift accidents include the following:
- Post and follow a speed limit not to exceed 5 mph, as dictated by OSHA guidelines.
- Never drive a forklift with the load elevated; keep the forks as close to the ground as possible.
- Take turns slowly while driving to avoid tipping the forklift.
- Drive the forklift backward if the load obscures the operator’s front vision.
- Provide plenty of floor markings and signage to alert personnel to avoid forklift areas when possible.
- Only ride a forklift while sitting in the designated seat with a seatbelt on if one exists.
- Inspect the forklift daily, and conduct proper ongoing maintenance to prevent injury due to heavy loads and mechanical failure.
Keeping staff aware of these forklift safety practices can lay the foundation for an ongoing safety program.
Contact a Georgia workers’ compensation attorney
In an ideal world, every Georgia workplace would approve legitimate workers’ compensation claims and pay the benefits to which workers are entitled.
But sadly, this isn’t always true.
Many employers are reluctant to pay workers’ compensation benefits and may contest legitimate claims.
Workers’ compensation claims can be complicated, and even small mistakes can greatly limit your ability to collect fair compensation after an injury.
Some of the most common ways that companies fight workers’ comp claims are:
- Arguing that the worker didn’t obtain medical care quickly enough.
- Stating that the worker didn’t report the injury on a timely basis.
- Giving the worker the runaround after the accident is reported.
- Claiming that no one witnessed the accident.
- Arguing that the worker didn’t disclose a preexisting condition.
- Blaming the worker based on their past behavior.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident in Georgia, contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Gerber & Holder Workers’ Compensation Attorneys.
Our attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience helping injured workers across Georgia recover compensation after an injury. We’re here for you and ready to fight for your rights.
Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.
Analysis completed based on forklift fatality data from The National Safety Council for the years 2011-2022. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the data used in this analysis may contain errors or omissions.
