Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Forklift accidents can cause catastrophic injuries in an instant. If you were hurt in a forklift accident on a job site, in a warehouse, or at any other workplace, a forklift accident lawyer in Mount Vernon can help you pursue the compensation you may be owed from the parties responsible.
At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we have significant experience with New York Labor Law cases and workplace injury claims, and our workers’ compensation lawyer in Mount Vernon is ready to review your case today. New York, We Got You.
Forklift accident cases can involve workers’ compensation, third-party personal injury claims, and equipment liability all at once. We have recovered over $1 billion for more than 26,000 clients across New York, and we are ready to pursue every available avenue on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.
New York Labor Law and Workplace Protections in Forklift Accident Cases
New York law provides significant protections for workers injured in forklift and heavy equipment accidents. Identifying which statutes and legal theories apply to your case is one of the most important early steps in building a strong claim.
Our personal injury lawyers in Mount Vernon work alongside our workplace injury attorneys to identify every protection and pathway available to you. Legal frameworks that may apply in a forklift accident case include:
- Labor Law Section 241(6), which requires construction and industrial sites to maintain safety standards and allows injured workers to pursue claims
- Labor Law Section 200, New York’s general workplace safety requirement, which applies when an owner or contractor controlled the conditions that led to your injury
- Workers’ compensation, which provides medical benefits and wage replacement regardless of fault
- Third-party personal injury claims against contractors, property owners, or equipment operators whose negligence contributed to your accident
- Product liability claims if a forklift defect or manufacturing error caused or worsened your injuries
How Forklift Accidents Happen in New York Workplaces
Forklifts are used across a wide range of industries, from construction sites and warehouses to loading docks and manufacturing facilities. Their size, weight, and lifting capacity make them inherently dangerous when improperly operated or maintained.
Common causes of forklift accidents that may support a legal claim include:
- Tip-overs caused by uneven surfaces, overloading, or improper turning
- Struck-by accidents when a forklift hits a nearby worker
- Falling load accidents when cargo is improperly secured
- Operator error or lack of adequate training and certification
- Defective forklift equipment or failure to perform required maintenance
- Inadequate traffic management in areas where forklifts and workers share space
Each cause can point to a different responsible party. Our in-house investigation team moves quickly to examine equipment, obtain maintenance logs, review operator records, and document the accident scene before critical evidence is altered or lost.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Forklift Accident Case
Forklift accident cases often involve more than one liable party. A thorough investigation is essential to identifying all of them and pursuing the full compensation available to you.
Potentially liable parties in a forklift accident case can include:
- Employers who failed to train operators or enforce safety protocols
- Property owners or general contractors who controlled the worksite conditions
- Forklift rental companies that supplied defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Equipment manufacturers, if a design or mechanical defect contributed to the accident
- Subcontractors responsible for load management or traffic control on the site
Workers’ compensation provides initial coverage for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages, but it does not cover pain and suffering or the full value of your long-term losses. A third-party personal injury claim can fill that gap, and our forklift accident lawyers in Mount Vernon can explain if you may be eligible for one.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Forklift Accident
The injuries from a forklift accident can be severe and long-lasting. Between medical costs, time away from work, and the possibility of permanent disability, the financial impact can be significant. A successful claim may help cover a wide range of losses.
Compensation in a forklift accident case may include:
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospitalization costs
- Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages if a family member was killed in the accident
The full value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your long-term prognosis, and the number of parties who share liability. We work with medical professionals and financial analysts to document every loss so that your claim reflects the complete picture.
How Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers Handles Forklift Accident Cases
Founded in 2013, Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers has spent over a decade fighting for construction workers, warehouse employees, and laborers across New York City and the surrounding area. We bring more than 200 years of combined legal experience to every case, with over $1 billion recovered for more than 26,000 clients.
We handle forklift accident cases with our own in-house investigation team. We do not outsource evidence collection or case preparation. Our investigators move fast to preserve maintenance records, operator logs, and physical evidence before it becomes harder to obtain.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Our offices span all five boroughs, and we travel for consultations, so cost and distance are never reasons to delay getting the help you need.
Contact a Forklift Accident Lawyer in Mount Vernon Today
A forklift accident can leave you facing serious injuries, mounting bills, and uncertainty about your future. If you were hurt in a forklift accident in Mount Vernon or anywhere in Westchester County, do not wait to speak with an attorney.
Contact Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers today for a free case review and let us fight for every dollar you may be owed. As your forklift accident attorney in Mount Vernon, we are ready to take on employers, property owners, and their insurance companies on your behalf. No fees unless we win.