Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Workers hurt in a forklift accident often face broken bones, crush injuries, or worse, along with weeks or months away from the job. New York’s workers’ compensation system should cover your medical bills and lost wages after an accident like this, but employers and insurers do not always make that easy.
A forklift accident lawyer in Manhattan can push back against denied or undervalued claims and fight for what you are owed. Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers has recovered over $1 billion for injured workers and brings more than 200 years of combined legal experience to every case since our firm was founded in 2013.
We are based in Manhattan with offices across every borough, so dependable legal help is always nearby. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer in Manhattan today to schedule a consultation and find out what your case may be worth.
Who May Be Liable for Your Losses
Liability depends on where the accident happened and who had control over the equipment, worksite, or safety procedures. More than one party may share fault in the same case. Our Manhattan personal injury lawyers can help you with both workers’ compensation claims and third-party claims.
A forklift operator may be at fault for careless driving, speeding, or failing to watch for pedestrians. A contractor or property owner may be responsible for unsafe site conditions, blocked walkways, or poor loading practices.
A manufacturer or maintenance company may also be involved if a forklift had a defective part or was not properly serviced. We review records, incident reports, and witness accounts to identify every available source of recovery.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits You May Be Able to Receive
If you were hurt while doing your job, workers’ compensation may provide benefits even if no one meant to cause the accident. You do not have to prove negligence by your employer, and you may be able to seek benefits for:
- Medical treatment related to the injury
- Partial wage replacement during missed work
- Travel tied to medical care
- Permanent disability affecting your ability to work
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Workers’ compensation can help with immediate needs, but it may not cover every loss tied to a serious forklift accident. That is one reason many injured workers seek a lawyer to find out whether a third-party claim is also available.
When a Third-Party Claim May Apply
A third-party claim is a case against someone other than your employer. These claims can be filed when another company, contractor, property owner, driver, or manufacturer played a role in the accident.
This type of case may allow you to pursue damages beyond workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering. That can make a major difference when your injuries affect your long-term health, your future work capacity, or your family’s finances.
Examples of Third-Party Liability
Forklift accident cases may involve outside parties in many ways. The facts of the job site and the equipment history often point to who should be investigated.
Examples may include a subcontractor that created an unsafe loading zone, a delivery company that stacked cargo improperly, or a manufacturer that released a forklift with a dangerous defect. A Manhattan forklift accident attorney from Shulman & Hill can look at whether your case belongs in workers’ compensation alone or also in civil court.
What to Do After a Manhattan Forklift Accident
Tell your employer or supervisor about the accident right away. Follow through with medical treatment, keep copies of records, and avoid guessing about fault before the facts are clear.
Reporting the incident promptly and getting medical care creates a record of what happened and how badly you were hurt.
You should also keep track of missed work, job duties you can no longer perform, and any out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury. Those details can become part of the proof needed to support your claim.
How Shulman & Hill Can Help
After a serious forklift accident, you may be dealing with claim forms, doctor visits, and pressure from insurance representatives. Our role is to handle the legal side while you focus on treatment and recovery.
We gather records, review accident reports, examine worksite conditions, and determine whether outside parties may be liable. If benefits are delayed or denied, we can challenge those decisions and pursue the compensation available under the law.
A forklift accident lawyer in Manhattan from Shulman & Hill can also help you avoid mistakes that weaken a claim. Early action often makes it easier to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Deadlines Can Affect Your Right to Recover
Forklift accident claims are controlled by filing deadlines and notice requirements. Missing a deadline can limit or bar your ability to recover benefits or damages.
Workers’ compensation cases have their own reporting rules, while personal injury and product liability claims follow different time limits. The date of the accident, the date you discovered the injury, and the identity of the responsible party can all matter.
Because these rules depend on the facts of your case, it is wise to get legal advice soon after the accident. Waiting too long can make it harder to collect records, find witnesses, and take action against all responsible parties.
Speak With a Forklift Accident Lawyer in Manhattan
A forklift injury can affect your health, your paycheck, and your future at work. Whether your case involves workers’ compensation, a third-party lawsuit, or both, timely legal guidance can help you protect your rights.
Shulman & Hill helps injured people in Manhattan pursue payment for medical care, lost income, and other losses tied to serious forklift accidents. We are ready to review the facts, explain your options, and take the next steps with you.
Contact our forklift accident attorneys in Manhattan today to discuss your accident and find out how we may help with your claim.
