Abstract
Introduction The use of forklift trucks during work has a high accident potential. The aim of
this study is to describe injury patterns, treatment and outcome after forklift truck
accidents in the context of the employersʼ liability insurance association.
Methods Retrospective data collection of all cases between 2004 and 2019. Excluded were patients
< 18 years, without follow-up or with definitive external treatment. Trauma mechanism,
injury patterns and distribution, treatment, complications, time of incapacity for
work, return to work and impairment of earning capacity were recorded.
Results Of 109 patients with 110 injuries, 52.7% showed isolated injuries and 47.3% combined
injuries, which affected the lower extremity in 95 cases. There were fractures in
85.5%, including 32.7% in open form. The mean length of stay was 29.1 days (range
1 – 129); an indication for surgery was seen in 80.9%. Surgical treatment required
an average of 3 interventions, with significantly more operations for soft tissue
closure than for the fractures (p ≤ 0.023). Amputations were necessary in 8 cases;
complications occurred in 29.1%. Return to work was possible in 90%, after a mean
period of incapacity for work of 33.6 weeks. A total of 40% showed a pensionable impairment
of earning capacity.
Conclusion Accidents with forklift trucks result in complex lower extremities injuries with
the need of multi-stage treatment and show relatively high complication rates. A return
to work is often possible after a long period of convalescence, and a pensionable
impairment of earning capacity often persists.
Key words
fractures - forklift trucks - run-over trauma - accident annuity - soft tissue injury
