Pittsburgh Forklift Accident Lawyer

Ready Support For Anyone Hurt In A Forklift Incident

If you’re dealing with the fallout of a forklift accident, you have a lot on your plate. Whether you’re recovering after a workplace injury or trying to help a family member get back on their feet, the stress of missing paychecks and mounting medical bills can feel overwhelming. The uncertainty, the paperwork, and the worry about your job are real, and you need answers—not just sympathy.

This is where our team steps in. At Friday & Cox LLC, our trial-tested attorneys have spent decades fighting for injured Pittsburgh workers like you. We know the local courts, understand workplace laws in Pennsylvania, and have built a reputation for delivering results even when the odds are tough. We are available 24/7 to answer urgent questions about your forklift accident, and you will never pay us unless we secure compensation for you.

We’re driven by the belief that every injured person deserves clear communication, practical guidance, and a law firm that will fight as hard as they do. If you’re searching for a forklift accident attorney in Pittsburgh who will treat your recovery like their own, you are in the right place.

Contact our team today to request a free consultation.

What is a Forklift Accident?

A forklift accident occurs when a powered industrial truck—such as a lift truck, pallet jack, or industrial reach truck—causes an injury due to a collision, equipment malfunction, tip-over, operator error, or unsafe workplace conditions. These accidents frequently happen in:

• Warehouses and distribution centers
• Construction sites
• Manufacturing plants
• Retail stores
• Shipping yards and loading docks

Forklifts weigh thousands of pounds, have limited visibility, and can easily tip over if handled improperly. Even at slow speeds, they can cause catastrophic injuries. When employers fail to enforce safety rules, fail to maintain equipment, or allow untrained operators behind the wheel, workers pay the price.

Common Types of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents occur in many forms. Some of the most common—and most dangerous—include:

• Forklift Tip-Overs: One of the leading causes of fatal forklift incidents, tip-overs occur when the load is unstable, the forklift is driven too fast, or the operator turns too sharply.
• Struck-by Accidents: Workers may be struck by a moving forklift or by a shifting or falling load carried by a forklift.
• Forklift-On-Forklift Collisions: This happens when operators cannot see each other due to blind spots, insufficient lighting, or congested warehouse layouts.
• Caught-In/Crushed-By Injuries: Workers can become pinned between a forklift and shelves, walls, pallets, or other equipment.
• Falling Load Accidents: Poorly secured or imbalanced loads can fall and crush workers positioned nearby.
• Falls from Forklift Platforms: Elevating workers on forklift forks is extremely dangerous and often violates safety regulations.
• Mechanical or Brake Failure: Faulty brakes, steering problems, hydraulic issues, or malfunctioning warning systems can lead to serious accidents.

Common Causes of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents are rarely “just accidents.” They typically result from preventable hazards, negligence, or unsafe working conditions. Common causes include:

• Inadequate Operator Training: OSHA requires employers to properly train forklift operators—but many fail to follow these rules.
• Negligent Maintenance and Repairs: Worn brakes, unresponsive steering, and hydraulic failures dramatically increase accident risks.
• Unsafe Workplace Design: Cluttered aisles, narrow pathways, poor lighting, and lack of visibility contribute to collisions.
• Overloading or Improper Load Handling: Loads that block visibility, exceed weight limits, or are unevenly distributed can easily tip a forklift.
• Speeding or Reckless Operation: Driving too fast, taking tight turns, or failing to slow down near pedestrians or intersections causes countless injuries.
• Employer Negligence: This includes failing to provide safety equipment, ignoring OSHA standards, or failing to enforce warehouse safety procedures.
• Defective Forklift Equipment: Manufacturers may be liable if design or manufacturing defects contribute to a forklift accident.

Regardless of the cause, injured workers deserve answers—and a legal team that can uncover who is responsible.

Workers’ Compensation & Third-Party Claims

Forklift accident cases often involve multiple sources of compensation. Our Pittsburgh forklift accident attorneys evaluate every potential avenue to maximize your recovery.

Workers’ Compensation

If you were injured on the job, you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which may include:

• Medical treatment
• Wage loss benefits
• Specific loss benefits
• Disability benefits

Workers’ compensation does not require proof of employer negligence. However, it also does not compensate you for pain and suffering.

Third-Party Injury Claims

In addition to workers’ compensation, you may also have a third-party claim if someone other than your employer contributed to your accident, including:

• Forklift manufacturers (equipment defects)
• Maintenance companies
• Subcontractors
• Property owners
• Safety consultants

A third-party negligence claim allows you to pursue compensation not available under workers’ comp, such as:

• Full lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Workers' compensation does not prevent you from filing a third-party lawsuit. Many forklift injury cases involve both types of claims simultaneously.