Forklift Accident at Work? You May Have More Than Just a Workers' Comp Claim

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.

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:

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

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

1. Get medical attention immediately - Some injuries, especially internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent
2. Report the accident to your supervisor - Make sure it's documented
3. Take photos if possible - The forklift, the scene, any defects you notice
4. Get witness names - Co-workers who saw what happened
5. Don't give recorded statements - Not to your employer, not to any insurance company, not until you've talked to an attorney
6. Keep the equipment unchanged - If the forklift malfunctioned, it's evidence - tell your employer not to repair or alter it
7. 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.