Forklift Injury Case Illustrates Gravity of Workplace Accidents
The twentieth century witnessed a vast increase in protections available to workers on the job as well as the remedies available to them when accidents happen. Nonetheless, even in 2009 nearly 30 Nevadans were killed in workplace accidents, and the decline in the number of Las Vegas workers injured on the job is thanks in part to a slow economy and high unemployment statewide. A recent workplace tragedy illustrates the grisly reality of workplace injuries as they often unfold.
In this example, a man was hurt while on the job at a warehouse facility located at an airport. With the rise of e-commerce and ever more time-sensitive consumers, airports across the country including Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport have facilities of this type for speedy processing of shipments and goods.
The victim was standing on the facility floor when a forklift came speeding out of another room, passing through an opaque curtain. The man was unable to dodge the vehicle fully, and the passing forklift crushed his right foot. Multiple surgeries were unable to rebuild the foot, and the man eventually developed a gangrenous infection that required foot amputation.
In the lawsuit, the victim alleged that the forklift employee operating the machine had not been properly trained and that the subcontractor that employed him had acted as a negligent employer in shirking its duties to fully train employees. The man sought compensation for his medical costs, emotional and quality-of-life damages for the loss of his foot and impaired faculties of walking and balancing, and lost wages and future means of working. The victim worked with an experienced workplace injury lawyer and obtained a settlement of nearly $4 million to address his costs and future needs.
If you or a loved one have been injured on the job and need knowledgeable legal guidance in handling a Nevada workplace injury lawsuit, contact us today for a free consultation. We have two convenient office locations in Clark County and we can also visit you in the hospital.
