Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
A serious workplace injury can leave you worried about your health, your paycheck, and what comes next. Our forklift accident lawyer in Brooklyn can help you file your workers’ compensation claim and explore your options for a third-party liability lawsuit, as well.
At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we have recovered over $1 billion for our clients. We are dedicated to injured workers and are ready to seek the benefits that can help you recover from your injuries.
Our Brooklyn workers’ compensation lawyer can handle your entire claim. Call us for a free consultation.
How Forklift Accidents Happen
Forklift accidents often happen in fast-moving work settings like warehouses, loading docks, construction sites, retail backrooms, and industrial facilities. A single mistake, blocked aisle, unstable load, or poorly maintained vehicle can lead to severe injuries in seconds.
You may have been hit by a reversing forklift, pinned between equipment and a wall, or injured in a tip-over. Some accidents involve falling pallets, mechanical failure, or an operator who was not properly trained.
These cases are not limited to forklift drivers. Pedestrians, nearby workers, delivery personnel, and site visitors can also suffer harm when safety rules are ignored, which is why our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers identify all liable parties and explore your options for a third-party liability lawsuit.
Common Injuries After a Forklift Accident
Forklift accidents can cause life-changing harm because of the size and weight of the machine. Even a low-speed incident may lead to broken bones, head trauma, spinal damage, or crushing injuries.
Some of the injuries we often see in these cases include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Shoulder, knee, and joint damage
Many injured workers also suffer soft tissue damage, torn ligaments, internal injuries, or long-term pain that affects their ability to return to the same job. Recovery may involve surgery, physical therapy, and extended time away from work.
How Our Forklift Accident Attorneys in Brooklyn Can Help
After a forklift accident, you may be dealing with medical appointments, lost income, and uncertainty about your rights. Our job is to deal with the legal side while you focus on healing.
We can investigate the accident, identify the available claims, gather supporting evidence, and communicate with insurers on your behalf. If your benefits are denied or reduced, we can challenge that decision and pursue the compensation available under New York law.
When we represent you, we also look at the full picture. Our Brooklyn forklift accident lawyer can evaluate whether your injuries affect your future earning ability, your need for ongoing treatment, and your long-term financial stability.
Who May Be Liable for Your Forklift Accident Injuries?
Liability in a forklift accident case depends on where and how the incident happened. If you were injured on the job, workers’ compensation may cover medical care and part of your lost wages, even if no one meant to cause the accident.
In some cases, you may also have a claim against a third party. That may include a subcontractor, property owner, maintenance company, or another business working at the site.
Our legal team can review whether your case involves more than a workers’ compensation claim. That matters because a third-party claim may allow you to seek damages that workers’ compensation does not pay, such as pain and suffering.
Potential Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you were hurt while doing your job, workers’ compensation benefits may be your first source of financial help. These benefits are meant to cover reasonable medical treatment and a portion of your lost earnings while you recover.
You do not have to prove your employer was careless to file a workers’ compensation claim. Still, employers and insurance carriers may question how the injury happened, whether it was work-related, or whether you can return to your job sooner than your doctor recommends.
Our Brooklyn forklift accident attorney can help you gather medical records, report the injury properly, and respond to disputes that may delay your benefits.
When a Third-Party Claim May Apply
Filing a workers’ compensation claim may not be the only path to recovering compensation. If someone other than your employer or co-worker played a role in the accident, you may have a separate personal injury claim.
This can happen in cases involving:
- Unsafe loading by another company
- Dangerous premises conditions
- Negligent maintenance or repair work
- Contractor or subcontractor negligence
A third-party claim may allow you to seek payment for the full value of lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses tied to the injury. We review each case closely to identify every available source of recovery.
How Insurers Dispute Forklift Accident Cases
Even when an injury seems straightforward, insurers may still challenge the claim. They may argue that your injury was preexisting, that you were not acting within the scope of your job, or that your condition is not as serious as you report.
Disputes also arise when multiple companies share a worksite. Each party may try to shift blame, which can slow down payment and make it harder for you to get clear answers.
Our forklift accident injury lawyers in Brooklyn work to build a strong record from the start. That includes reviewing accident reports, medical evidence, employment records, and any facts pointing to third-party fault.
Compensation That May Be Available in a Forklift Accident Claim
The value of a forklift accident case depends on the type of claim and the seriousness of the harm. In a workers’ compensation case, benefits may include medical care, wage replacement, and disability payments.
If a third-party claim is available, you may also seek damages for pain and suffering, full lost earnings, future medical needs, and other related losses. The amount can vary based on the evidence, your prognosis, and whether the injury affects your ability to work in the future.
We look closely at both immediate losses and long-term effects. That approach helps us pursue a result that reflects what the accident has actually cost you.
Let Our Forklift Accident Attorney in Brooklyn Help You
A forklift accident can change your routine, your health, and your income all at once. You should not have to sort through workers’ compensation issues and possible third-party claims alone while trying to recover.
Shulman & Hill represents injured workers and others harmed in forklift accident cases across Brooklyn. If you were hurt on the job or at a worksite, contact us to discuss your options and your next steps.
