Unsafe Use of Forklift Leads to Crushed Leg

This case involves a truck driver that was injured by a forklift. Upon making a delivery at a warehouse, the forklift operator began to unload the content of the trucker’s tractor trailer. The contents were being unloaded from the truck’s tractor trailer in an unsafe manner and fell off of the forklift, crushing the truck driver’s leg as he stood next to his trailer. He has since required numerous surgeries and may never regain full function in his leg.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What type of experience do you have with forklifts and forklift safety?

2. Are there specific precautions that must be taken to ensure the safe unloading of a tractor trailer by forklift operators?

Expert Witness Response E-001138

As an expert in mechanics, I have over 40 years of experience in the field. I work as a consultant at an organization that trains, consults, and provides legal expertise in manners of compliance and regulatory oversight for automobiles and all types of construction and commercial vehicles with add on equipment, systems, and attachments. My experiences, ranging from hands-on work to my current role as a consultant, provide me with an in-depth knowledge of the risks associated with forklifts, along with how to operate the machine safely. This sort of an accident should never happen - if appropriate safety measures had been taken into consideration, this man wouldn't have to deal with leg injuries - and he'd still be driving his rig.