Forklift Accident Claim Solicitors
If you’ve become injured in a forklift accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact our specialist personal injury solicitors today to discuss your forklift accident claim and start the process of getting the compensation you deserve.
Key Points for Forklift Accident Claims
Meet Your Forklift Accident Solicitors
Stonehewer Moss are specialists in personal injury law with a proven track record in securing compensation for forklift accident claims. We offer a No-win, no-fee claims service to ease the financial pressure on you, as well as a free initial consultation to help you decide if we’re the right solicitors for your forklift accident injury claim.
We pride ourselves on our personal, friendly and compassionate service. Our firm is accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), demonstrating our expertise in personal injury law.
What risks do forklift trucks pose on employees?
Forklift trucks are a common in warehouses and factories. These powerful machines are used to move heavy loads, and can be operated by a single person.
However, forklift trucks can be very dangerous. Due to their size and weight, serious accidents can occur when not used properly or with caution. Often operated in busy environments, there is a high risk of forklifts colliding with other objects or workers.
Forklift Truck Accident Statistics
According to data published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), workplace transport remains one of the leading causes of serious and fatal injuries in UK workplaces. Forklift trucks (also known as lift trucks) are involved in a significant proportion of these incidents, accounting for around a quarter of all workplace transport accidents.
Forklift accidents at work frequently occur due to poor supervision, inadequate training, unsafe systems of work, or failure to secure loads properly. Employers are required to carry out risk assessments, provide appropriate training, and ensure equipment is properly maintained.
Forklifts pose considerable risks, particularly where loads are unbalanced, visibility is restricted, pedestrian routes are not segregated, or vehicles are operated without proper safety procedures in place. Where these risks are not properly managed and an employee is injured as a result, there may be grounds for a forklift accident compensation claim.
Is My Employer Liable for a Forklift Accident at Work?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect employees from workplace injury and illness. This includes ensuring that work equipment such as forklift trucks is safe to use and that appropriate safety procedures are in place.
To reduce the risk of forklift accidents at work, employers must:
- Ensure forklift trucks are properly maintained, inspected and serviced.
- Provide adequate training and certification for all forklift operators.
- Carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work.
- Provide appropriate supervision and safety equipment.
- Separate pedestrians and vehicles where reasonably practicable.
If an employer fails to meet these responsibilities and you are injured as a result, they may be legally liable. Examples of negligence in forklift accident claims can include poor training, mechanical defects, unsafe loading practices, or inadequate workplace safety measures.
Where a breach of duty directly causes injury, you may be entitled to pursue a forklift accident compensation claim for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
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How are forklift accidents caused?
There are several ways in which forklift accidents at work can cause serious injury:
- Unsecured loads or falling objects during lifting operations.
- Forklifts tipping over due to unevenly distributed or excessive loads.
- Racking systems collapsing because items are improperly stored or overloaded.
- Collisions with pedestrians in busy warehouse or site environments.
You may be entitled to make a forklift accident compensation claim if your injuries were caused by the negligence of your employer or a colleague. Employers have a legal duty to provide safe systems of work, proper training, and well-maintained equipment.
If you are unsure whether you have a valid forklift accident claim, speak to our specialist personal injury solicitors today for clear, honest advice. Call us on 01606 872200 for a free, no-obligation discussion about your accident and your legal options.
What should I do if I’m injured in a forklift accident at work?
What should I do if I’m injured in a forklift accident at work?
If you have been injured in a forklift accident at work, your first priority should always be your health and safety. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some symptoms can develop hours or days later, and a medical record will also provide important evidence if you decide to make a claim.
You should then report the forklift accident to your employer as soon as possible. By law, your employer must record workplace accidents in the company accident book. In serious cases, the incident may also need to be reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013). Ensuring the accident is formally recorded is a crucial step in supporting a forklift accident compensation claim.
If possible, gather evidence at the scene. Take photographs of the forklift, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Obtain contact details of any witnesses and keep copies of medical reports, correspondence, and records of lost earnings.
Finally, consider speaking to a solicitor who specialises in forklift accident claims. An experienced workplace accident solicitor can assess whether your employer failed in their duty of care, explain your legal rights, and guide you through the claims process on a No Win, No Fee basis. Compensation may cover pain and suffering, loss of earnings, rehabilitation costs, and any future financial losses linked to your injury.
What Compensation Can I Claim After a Forklift Accident at Work?
If you have been injured in a forklift accident at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation for both your injuries and any financial losses you have suffered.
Compensation in forklift accident claims is typically divided into two categories: general damages and special damages.
- General damages – Compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your injuries.
- Loss of earnings – Including current and future lost income if you are unable to return to work.
- Medical expenses – Such as private treatment, physiotherapy, prescriptions or rehabilitation costs.
- Cost of care and assistance – Whether provided professionally or by family members.
- Travel expenses – For medical appointments or rehabilitation.
- Damage to personal property – For example, clothing, glasses or personal items damaged in the accident.
To make a successful forklift accident compensation claim, you must show that your injury was caused by negligence. Employers have a legal duty of care to provide a safe working environment, including proper forklift training, adequate supervision, safe systems of work, and well-maintained equipment.
For example, if your injury was caused by an overloaded or unstable forklift, poor training, mechanical failure, or unsafe workplace practices, your employer (or another responsible party) may be liable. Demonstrating a breach of duty and proving that this directly caused your injury is key to securing compensation.
Start your forklift accident claim with Stonehewer Moss
Most people will never make an injury claim in their lifetime. It’s not something anyone prepares for, and we understand that the idea of claiming against your employer can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are laws in place to protect the rights of employees — including those pursuing forklift accident claims.
Stonehewer Moss is a specialist firm of injury lawyers with over 20 years of experience handling workplace injury cases, including complex forklift accident claims. We are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), so you can rest assured your claim is in safe hands.
To start your claim or discuss your accident, contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The amount of compensation you can claim for a forklift accident depends on how serious your injuries are and the impact they have had on your life and work. Common forklift accident injuries include back injuries, arm and leg fractures, ankle injuries, and even head or brain injuries in more severe cases. Minor injuries might lead to smaller settlements, while serious or long-term conditions could result in significantly higher payouts covering pain, suffering, lost income, and rehabilitation costs.
Forklift accident claims often arise from factors such as poor training, unsafe loading practices, lack of proper maintenance, and poorly managed traffic routes in the workplace. Common injuries can result from collisions, tip-overs, being struck by loads, or falls from forklifts. In many cases, accidents happen because health and safety regulations were not properly followed.
Yes, you may still be able to make a forklift accident claim even if you were partly responsible. This is known as contributory negligence. Your compensation may be reduced based on your level of fault, but if your employer failed to provide proper training, protective equipment, or a safe working environment, you could still receive a significant payout.
In the UK, you typically have three years from the date of the forklift accident—or from when you first realised your injuries were connected to the incident—to start a claim. It’s important to act as soon as possible to gather evidence like incident reports, medical records, and witness statements that can strengthen your case.