Forklift Operator Training

Forklift operator training is essential to ensuring the safety of both the people operating the forklift and other people in the workplace. As such, employers are generally expected to provide adequate training to all forklift operators to prevent accidents and injuries. When employers fail to offer forklift operator training or the education provided is insufficient, workers are more likely to make critical errors that can lead to serious accidents. If you were injured at work due to a lack of proper forklift operator training, you have a right to seek workers’ compensation benefits, and you should talk to an attorney. At Foran & Foran, P.A., our dedicated Prince George’s County workers’ compensation attorneys are proficient at helping injured employees protect their interests, and if we represent you, we will diligently pursue any benefits you may be owed.

Under Maryland law, employers are required to provide forklift operator training that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Operators must learn how to navigate forklifts in various work environments, perform routine maintenance checks, and recognize hazards that could lead to accidents. They must also be taught how to safely load and unload materials, avoid collisions, and maintain control of the forklift at all times.

When employers fail to provide adequate forklift operator training, they place their workers at significant risk. Poorly trained operators are more likely to be involved in accidents, which can cause serious injuries to them or their co-workers.

Workers injured due to inadequate forklift training are typically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Act. Under the Act, workers' compensation benefits are available to workers who suffer an injury that arises out of and during the course of their employment. To be eligible, the worker must be classified as an employee, meaning they work for an employer required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Independent contractors and volunteers are typically not covered unless they meet specific conditions to be considered employees. Additionally, the injury or illness must be related to the worker's job duties, which typically means they must occur on the employer’s premises and while the employee is engaged in job-related tasks.

The benefits available under Maryland’s workers' compensation system include medical benefits and disability benefits. Medical benefits cover medical expenses related to the injury, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, medication, and physical therapy.

Injured employees can also recover disability benefits to replace their lost wages. Temporary total disability benefits are paid to employees who cannot work in any capacity due to their injury. Employees typically receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage, up to the state's maximum. The benefits continue until the worker either returns to some form of work or reaches maximum medical improvement.

Employees who can still work but can only perform limited duties or work part-time at a reduced income level due to a workplace injury can recover temporary partial disability benefits. These benefits equal 50% of the difference between the employee's average weekly wage and their reduced earning capacity, subject to a maximum of 50% of the state’s average weekly wage. As with temporary total disability, the goal is to provide income support until the employee either returns to full capacity or reaches maximum medical improvement.

For employees with permanent partial or total disabilities, the benefits continue based on the severity and nature of the impairment and can be paid over an extended period or as a lump sum.

Adequate forklift operator training is crucial to maintaining safety in the workplace. When training is insufficient, the risk of serious accidents increases, leaving workers vulnerable to injuries. If you were hurt due to a lack of proper forklift operator training, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, and it is prudent to speak with an attorney. At Foran & Foran, P.A., our assertive Prince George’s County workers’ compensation attorneys understand the physical and financial devastation preventable work injuries can cause, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you pursue the benefits you deserve. We have an office in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we often represent people in workers’ compensation matters in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, Rockville, Silver Spring, La Plata, and other cities in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, and all counties in the State of Maryland. You can set up a confidential and free consultation by using our form online or by calling us at (301) 441-2022.