According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, about 4,500 loading dock accidents annually can be attributed to a lift truck rolling off the dock. These accidents are typically caused by any of the following: 

• a forklift driver backing into an empty dock and crashing through the door;
• the truck driver leaving before the forklift has exited the trailer;
• an unbalanced weight distribution causing the trailer to pop up or down; and/or
• the momentum of the forklift causing a gap between the dock and the trailer. 

Another cause of loading dock accidents is fire. The rear lamps on a running trailer can become dangerously hot. When the lamps are compressed against loading dock seals that lack fire-resistant protection, the loading dock can catch fire. This can lead to injuries and death as well as massive property damage.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a loading dock accident in Pennsylvania, you should speak with a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.  Even if you are receiving Workers' Compensation which prevents you from bringing action against your employer you should still consult with an attorney about any potential third party claims.

You are allowed by law to file personal injury claims against third parties that contributed to your accident and injuries, such as an equipment manufacturer if the equipment was defective, or the trucking company if the truck driver was negligent.

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Help After a Loading Dock Accident in Pennsylvania

If you have been seriously injured in a loading dock accident in Pennsylvania, you shouldn't have to suffer and pay for expensive medical bills that were caused by another person's negligence. Contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at White & Williams LLP today. We will provide a free, no obligation consultation on your case. 1-877-944-8396.