|
|
Last Modified on Dec 01, 2025
Warehouses drive North Carolina’s manufacturing, logistics, and distribution industries, but high speed and volume also introduce commensurate injury risk. Understanding common causes of warehouse accidents in North Carolina allows workers, employers, and injury attorneys to identify the most likely breakdowns and conditions that warrant a legal claim.
Hire a Warehouse Injury Attorney
Roberts Law Firm, P.A., has experience with workplace injury and industrial accident claims throughout North Carolina, which informs our approach to each warehouse injury case we take on. Our team routinely reviews Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) records, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, employer safety policies and practices, and related documentation to see what happened and who may be at fault.
Our attorneys have represented injured workers in forklift, machinery, slip and fall, repetitive motion injury, and other cases, working with clients on both workers’ compensation and third-party liability options. Our foundation of preparation, communication, and long-standing client trust guides every warehouse injury claim we take on.
Nationwide statistics reveal that the warehouse industry averaged approximately 5.5 cases per 100 employees in 2021. This is substantially higher than the industry average and highlights the greater risk in high-volume logistics operations.
Common Causes of Warehouse Injuries
- Forklift and Powered Industrial Truck AccidentsForklift and powered industrial truck accidents are some of the most common and serious warehouse injuries. Workers can be hit by a reversing truck, crushed in a tip-over, or hurt when an improperly secured load falls during transport.
Busy warehouses in North Carolina, where aisles may be narrow and production pressures can be great, are rife with these hazards. Lack of visibility, inadequate training, malfunctioning warning devices, and poor supervision often contribute to risk.
Injuries from these accidents can be severe and long-lasting, from fractures and spinal injuries to internal trauma and mobility problems. Documentation of equipment use and operator conduct can be essential.
- Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards in WarehousesUneven flooring, liquid spills, loose packaging, and cluttered walkways are common hazards in warehouses. Hazards are magnified when workers move quickly through aisles and dock loading areas, and falls from loading docks, ladders, mezzanines, or pallet racks can cause severe head and orthopedic injuries.
Hazards can also include poorly lit staging zones and slippery floors from refrigeration, rain, or equipment leaks. It is important to determine if the facility maintained proper housekeeping, signage, and floor safety protocols, to consider in determining fault in the injury and the employer’s adherence to safety standards.
- Overexertion and Repetitive Motion InjuriesJobs in warehouses and distribution centers often require repetitive motions or overexertion, such as bending, lifting, twisting, and pulling. These motions can cause long-term musculoskeletal injuries like herniated discs, shoulder tears, knee injuries, and soft tissue strains.
Injuries often develop over time rather than a single incident, and workers can be at higher risk when staffing levels are not sufficient or production pressures force them to work faster than is safe.
Proper mechanics training and a rotation of duties are often also lacking. Documenting when and how symptoms began, how duties were assigned, and whether the workload was reasonable is important to determine fault and appropriate long-term medical care.
- Falling Objects and Improper Load StorageWarehouses often depend on vertical storage systems, which creates risk when items are not properly stacked or secured. Loose items, boxes, or equipment falling from overhead shelving can cause traumatic brain injuries, fractures, or crush injuries.
Pressure to rush restocking, poorly designed shelving, and uneven pallet loading are often causes, and during seasonal surges, high volume stacking can lead to unstable weight or unsecured objects.
Investigation into storage practices, equipment logs, and training records is often necessary to determine if unsafe procedures or lack of oversight contributed, and whether a third-party equipment provider may also be liable.
- Conveyor-, Machinery-, and Equipment-Related InjuriesConveyor belts, compactors, wrappers, case sorters, and other machinery support warehouse operations across North Carolina but create risks when safety guards, pressure sensors, or emergency stop devices fail. Workers can lose fingers, hands, or other body parts, be crushed, or suffer entanglement injuries in these incidents.
Inadequate lockout/tagout procedures during equipment maintenance are another cause of machinery injury. Maintenance logs, equipment design, manufacturer instructions, and training protocols are often necessary to review to determine liability. Many cases require an analysis of what steps the employer took to ensure equipment safety and if the equipment manufacturer or a third-party provider also failed to follow safety standards.
FAQs
Are Warehouse Injuries Common in North Carolina?
Warehouse injuries are common in North Carolina. Many of the state’s highest-risk industries are related to transportation, distribution, and logistics. In 2023, the BLS counted 68,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in North Carolina.
The state’s private industry injury rate was 2.0 cases per 100 full-time workers. This includes warehouse employees who regularly work with lifting hazards, machinery, forklifts, and elevated storage.
How Common Are Construction and Manufacturing Injuries in North Carolina?
Construction injuries are an ongoing issue in North Carolina despite recent increases in workplace safety. The construction industry reported 1.3 nonfatal injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in 2023. The manufacturing industry has a higher injury rate of 2.4. Construction and manufacturing involve physical labor, such as repetitive heavy lifting, equipment use, working at heights, and adapting to changing environments.
What Should I Document After a Warehouse Injury?
Warehouse injury victims should document the exact location, equipment used, floor conditions, lighting, witness names, and any hazards observed. Taking photos and written notes are especially helpful if possible and should be done as soon as possible after the injury. Preserve medical records, work restrictions, and any correspondence with your employer or insurer.
This documentation will help establish how the injury happened and support workers’ compensation claims or third-party liability. This can include equipment manufacturers, outside contractors, and more.
Can a Warehouse Injury Lead to a Third-Party Claim?
While workers’ compensation covers most employee injuries, warehouse accidents often involve other entities whose negligence contributed. This can include equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, trucking companies, and staffing agencies.
If an unsafe machine, defective pallet jack, improperly maintained forklift, or negligent subcontractor caused or contributed to an injury, a third-party claim may be available. Third-party claims allow for compensation beyond workers’ comp benefits and require a different investigation process.
Contact a Warehouse Injury Lawyer
Warehouse injuries are common across North Carolina, particularly in distribution centers and other high-volume logistics settings. Forklift incidents, falls, repetitive motion injuries, falling objects, and machinery hazards are the leading causes of preventable warehouse injuries. Warehouse injury victims should understand how these incidents can occur so that they can protect their rights and ensure that the proper evidence is gathered from the start.
At Roberts Law Firm, P.A., we take the time to evaluate each case by reviewing safety practices, medical records, equipment logs, and witness information to understand potential liability. If you were injured in a warehouse, book a consultation to hire a trusted warehouse injury lawyer as soon as possible.
