By: Christopher C. Walton, Esquire
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – On February 6, 2009, 42-year-old Lee Haleem of San Diego died while attempting to unload a forklift from a rental truck. The specific cause of accident is still under investigation, but the forklift is believed to have tipped after being stuck on the tailgate of the rental truck upon which it was being hauled. Haleem apparently got stuck and pinned underneath the forklift when trying to prevent it from falling off of the liftgate.
A San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesman stated that Haleem was observed backing the forklift out of a rented truck when the forklift tipped over and crushed him. The accident occurred at the landfill on Convoy Street near state Route 52. It is still unclear exactly why Haleem was unloading the forklift at the public landfill, or whether he was on the job at the time of the accident.
Workplace and contruction site related accidents occur frequently, the specific causes of such accidents being various in nature. If you or a loved one is seriously injured while moving or operating heavy industrial machinery, it is important to get sound legal advice. Often times, liability is not clear until a thorough investigation is performed. At Berman & Riedel, LLP, the attorneys and staff are experienced in handling serious personal injury matters, including wrongful death matters, and understand not only the legal aspects but also the emotional aspects affecting our clients.