Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If a forklift accident has changed your life, Shulman & Hill will guide you with clarity. We handle workers’ compensation claims and personal injury cases after workplace accidents for injured workers and their families. Our White Plains workers’ compensation lawyer will work to protect your benefits while you recover.
Many forklift accidents happen in warehouses, loading docks, shipping centers, retail storage areas, and construction sites. Our White Plains forklift accident lawyer will look into the accident, talk with insurance companies, and pursue damages when another party contributed to the injury. We also represent families in wrongful death cases involving fatal forklift accidents.
Our team handles workers’ compensation and personal injury claims together when possible. Our firm has secured more than $1 billion for injured New Yorkers and served 26,000+ clients since 2013. Call to discuss your injury during a free consultation. New York, We Got You.
How Our White Plains Forklift Accident Attorney Can Help You
After a forklift accident, injured workers often hear from insurance companies, employers, and medical providers within days. At the same time, they may be trying to recover from broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, crush injuries, or other serious harm.
A White Plains personal injury lawyer from Shulman & Hill helps clients understand what benefits may apply, what deadlines matter, and whether another party may also be responsible for the accident.
Our firm helps with:
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Third-party injury lawsuits
- Insurance disputes
- Medical documentation
- Hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Board
- Investigations into unsafe workplace conditions
- Wrongful death claims involving fatal forklift accidents
Forklift cases often involve more than one insurance company. Evidence may disappear quickly after the incident, especially in busy warehouse settings where equipment continues operating after the crash. Our team moves quickly to gather records, preserve evidence, and investigate what happened.
Liability and Insurance Issues in White Plains Forklift Accident Cases
Many forklift injury cases begin through New York workers’ compensation. This insurance program usually covers medical treatment and part of lost wages after a workplace injury, even when no one intended to cause harm.
Still, workers’ compensation does not pay for everything. It usually does not cover pain and suffering or the full value of lost income. In some cases, another company or third party may also share responsibility for the accident.
Other liable parties may include:
- Property owners
- Equipment manufacturers
- Maintenance contractors
- Delivery companies
- Subcontractors
- Warehouse operators
- Outside vendors
For example, a third-party lawsuit may involve defective brakes, unsafe loading dock conditions, broken warning systems, or poor equipment maintenance.
These cases can become complicated when several insurance policies apply at the same time. Insurers may try to blame the injured worker, downplay the severity of the injuries, or argue that another company caused the accident instead.
Our lawyers work to identify all available insurance coverage and pursue the full damages allowed under New York law.
Challenges That Can Affect Injury Claims in Forklift Accidents
Forklift accident cases often involve disputes about how the accident happened and who caused it.
Insurance companies may argue that:
- The worker ignored safety rules.
- The injuries existed before the accident.
- The worker can return to work sooner than expected.
- The medical treatment is unnecessary.
- Another company caused the incident.
Some cases also involve missing maintenance records, surveillance footage, or witness statements. In busy warehouse settings, accident scenes can change quickly after the incident.
When the team at Shulman & Hill investigates forklift accidents, we gather safety reports, maintenance records, inspection logs, medical records, and witness statements to build strong claims. We also work to preserve evidence before it disappears.
If the insurance company delays benefits or disputes treatment, our White Plains work injury lawyers can pursue hearings and challenge those decisions.
Recoverable Damages After a Forklift Accident in White Plains
The damages available depend on whether the case involves workers’ compensation, a third-party lawsuit, or both.
Workers’ compensation benefits may include:
- Medical treatment
- Wage replacement benefits
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Travel costs for medical appointments
- Permanent disability benefits
- Death benefits for surviving family members
A third-party personal injury lawsuit may also seek damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Full lost wages
- Reduced future earning ability
- Emotional distress
- Long-term disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Damages in Fatal Injury Cases
Some forklift accidents result in fatal injuries. We know families are dealing with grief, stress, and sudden financial pressure after losing someone they love. If your loved one suffered a work-related injury, we are deeply sorry for your loss.
A White Plains wrongful death lawyer from our firm helps surviving family members pursue damages related to funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and other losses connected to the death. When you are ready, call us for a review of your legal options during a free consultation.
Filing Deadlines for Forklift Accident Cases in New York
New York law places time limits on workplace injury and personal injury claims. Under the New York Workers’ Compensation Law, injured workers generally must notify their employer about the injury within 30 days.
In most cases, workers must file a claim with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board within two years. For personal injury lawsuits, injured people generally have three years from the date of the accident to file suit.
Parties filing wrongful death lawsuits generally have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. Some cases involving government entities may involve shorter notice deadlines. Reach out to our firm for help from our White Plains workplace accident lawyer as soon as you can. You risk losing your right to seek damages in court if you miss the deadline for your case.
What to Do After a Forklift Accident in White Plains, New York
Report the incident to your supervisor as soon as possible and get medical care right away. Tell every provider that your injury happened at work so your records reflect a workplace injury.
Document what happened while the details are fresh. Save photos, videos, names of witnesses, and any written notices you received from your employer or the insurance carrier. Avoid posting about the accident online.
Follow your doctor’s orders and keep all appointments. If your employer offers light duty, get the restrictions in writing. Contact our office for help from a workers’ compensation attorney in White Plains early, especially if your claim is delayed, denied, or your checks are short.
Talk With Our White Plains Forklift Accident Lawyer From Shulman & Hill About Your Injury
Forklift accident cases often involve medical issues, insurance disputes, and workplace rules all at the same time. Shulman & Hill helps injured workers and families across White Plains handle workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits after serious workplace accidents.
Our firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no attorneys’ fees unless we recover damages in the case. We handle the legal process while clients focus on recovery and their families. Contact us today to get started during a free consultation. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You.