Common Warehouse Accidents
One of the most common sources of injury for Warehouse Employees is the use of forklifts. These are large and often unwieldy pieces of equipment that can be hazardous to both the operators and those in the immediate vicinity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, forklifts kill over 80 individuals, across all industries, each year.
In an effort to protect Warehouse Workers from Forklift Injuries, the Occupational Safety Health Association (OSHA) has set forth strict requirements for the training of forklift operators. For example, individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from operating forklifts in Georgia. Forklifts require extensive training on use, including how to operate, how to prevent tip-overs, and how to regularly inspect them to ensure safety before use. Finally, operation of a forklift requires careful coordination and communication in a warehouse space in order to avoid placing others at risk.
Beyond Forklift Accidents, Warehouse Employees may also face the risk of Slip-and-Fall Accidents as they quickly move about Warehouse Spaces, and they are at risk of back or leg injuries due to the heavy lifting of Warehouse Equipment or Goods.
In order to prevent these types of injuries, Warehouse Employers are required to provide safety documentation and training to employees, to quickly address unsafe conditions, and to continually update procedures for ensuring the safety of all individuals moving throughout the Warehouse Space. If you have been hurt on the job because your employer has failed to comply with OSHA and any and other Requirements, then you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits.
Filing A Claim For Benefits In Georgia
If you have been hurt in a Warehouse Accident, then you may be entitled to benefits under Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Law. This is a no-fault system in which insurance coverage generally is provided to injured employees whether or not the employer was responsible for the harm. Depending on the extent of the harm and the individual’s ability to return to work, benefits can last for a permanent or temporary duration. The benefits also can compensate for a reduction in working capacity that does not eliminate the accident victim’s ability to hold a job.
To maximize your chance of receiving benefits, it is important that you immediately report your injury to your employer and promptly
file a claim for Workers’ Compensation with the State of Georgia. While some employers may readily acknowledge a workplace injury, others are likely to fight back against these claims. For example, a company or its insurer may argue that your harm was the result of a pre-existing condition unrelated to your occupation. Even if this is partly true, however, you may be able to secure benefits for the additional injury caused by your workplace environment. Thus, it is important that you carefully document the effects of your accident and any therapeutic treatment that you have received.
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tragic loss of life can occur when a forklift or another piece of heavy machinery malfunctions. If you have lost a loved one in a Warehouse Accident, then you may be able to seek death benefits through the Workers’ Compensation System. As with other types of claims, the job-related injury does not need to be the sole cause of the death. The amount of benefits that may be available to a dependent of the deceased person depends on whether he or she was totally or partially dependent.
Consult With Our Attorneys
If you have recently been hurt, or a loved one has been killed, in a Warehouse Accident, it is important that you contact a qualified attorney as quickly as possible. While the Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation System is meant to protect employees, it can be complicated and time-consuming to navigate the claims process alone. Work Injury Lawyer Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, has over two decades of experience helping workers assert their right to cash compensation and reimbursement for medical expenses, among other benefits.
We assist individuals from Decatur, Marietta and other communities in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett Counties, as well as in areas that cover the entire State of Georgia. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed on the job in Georgia in a Warehouse Accident, then we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible by phone at (770) 865-8654, by email at
juliericelaw@icloud.com, or
online on our website. We are here to help you and your loved ones and we look forward to hearing from you soon; no case too big or small, and we will take your call.