Forklift Accident at Work in PA? You May Have More Than Just Workers' Comp

Forklift accidents are one of the most common - and most serious - workplace injuries we see. If you were hurt in a forklift accident at a Pennsylvania warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing plant, you definitely have a workers' compensation claim.

But here's what your employer probably won't tell you: you may also have a third-party claim worth significantly more money.

Forklift deaths per year (US)

34,900

Serious forklift injuries per year

70%

Could be prevented with training

Common Forklift Accidents We See

Tip-overs - The forklift tips over, crushing or pinning the operator or nearby workers
Struck-by accidents - A pedestrian worker is hit by a moving forklift
Falling loads - Improperly secured cargo falls and strikes workers
Falls from elevated forks - Workers standing on forks who fall
Crushing between forklift and fixed object - Pinned against racks, walls, or other equipment
Mechanical failures - Brake failure, steering failure, hydraulic failure
Loading dock accidents - Forklifts driving off dock edges

When Do You Have a Third-Party Claim?

Workers' compensation is a no-fault system - you get benefits regardless of who caused the accident. But it doesn't allow you to sue your employer, and it doesn't include pain and suffering.

A third-party claim lets you pursue additional compensation from parties OTHER than your employer. In forklift cases, potential third parties include:

      Potential Third-Party Defendants in Forklift Cases
      Forklift manufacturer - If a design defect or manufacturing defect caused the accident
Maintenance company - If improper maintenance led to mechanical failure
Parts suppliers - If defective replacement parts caused the failure
Property owner - If you work for a staffing agency but the warehouse owner created unsafe conditions
Another company's employee - If a driver from a different company struck you
Training companies - If inadequate third-party training contributed to the accident

    

The Staffing Agency Angle

Many warehouse workers are employed through staffing agencies like Integrity Staffing, Employbridge, or PeopleReady, but work at warehouses owned by companies like Amazon, Walmart, or FedEx.

This creates an important opportunity: while you can't sue your employer (the staffing agency), you may be able to sue the warehouse owner if their negligence contributed to your accident. Examples include:

Inadequate safety protocols
Failure to maintain safe aisles
Pressure to work too fast, compromising safety
Failure to properly train all workers on site
Allowing unsafe equipment to remain in operation

A Note from Attorney Cardamone

"Forklift accidents often involve multiple failures - inadequate training, poor maintenance, rushed supervisors ignoring safety protocols. When I see a forklift accident, I always look beyond the workers' comp claim to see if there's a third party we can hold accountable. And remember - for workers' comp, fault doesn't matter. Even if you made a mistake operating the forklift, you still have a workers' comp case. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Major Pennsylvania Warehouse Employers

We've helped workers from warehouses and distribution centers across Pennsylvania:

Amazon - ABE facilities (Lehigh Valley), PHL facilities (Philadelphia area), AVP (Scranton), MDT (Harrisburg)
Walmart Distribution Centers - Bethlehem, Pottsville, Woodland
FedEx Ground Hubs - Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
UPS Facilities - Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
Sysco - Philadelphia, Harrisburg
Home Depot Distribution - Various PA locations
Target Distribution - Upper Bucks County
QVC Distribution - Lancaster County

What to Do After a Forklift Accident

Get medical attention immediately - Some injuries, especially internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent
Report the accident to your supervisor - Make sure it's documented
Take photos if possible - The forklift, the scene, any defects you notice
Get witness names - Co-workers who saw what happened
Don't give recorded statements - Not to your employer, not to any insurance company, not until you've talked to an attorney
Keep the equipment unchanged - If the forklift malfunctioned, it's evidence - tell your employer not to repair or alter it
Call us for a free consultation

The Two-Claims Approach

At Keystone Crash Lawyers, we handle the workers' compensation side of your case. If there's a viable third-party claim against a forklift manufacturer, maintenance company, or property owner, we work with our network of top-tier Personal Injury colleagues who specialize in product liability and premises liability cases.

Two specialists, working together, to maximize your total recovery.

Injured in a Forklift Accident?

Free consultation. We'll evaluate both your workers' comp claim and whether you have a third-party case.

(215) 206-9068