Forklift Accident Lawyer
Warehouses, distribution centers, and construction sites throughout Beverly Hills rely on forklifts to keep operations moving. These powerful machines can weigh up to 9,000 pounds, and when something goes wrong, the consequences for workers are catastrophic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, forklifts were involved in more than 9,000 nonfatal workplace injuries requiring days away from work in a single year. At Setareh Law, we represent injured workers and bystanders throughout California who have been seriously hurt in forklift and other workplace accidents. We take every case on a contingency fee basis.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Forklift Accident?
Identifying all responsible parties is one of the most important steps in building a strong claim. Several parties may bear legal responsibility, including a negligent forklift operator, an employer who failed to provide adequate training, a property owner who maintained an unsafe work environment, or a manufacturer whose defective equipment contributed to the crash. In California, you may be entitled to pursue compensation beyond workers’ compensation in certain situations, especially if a third party played a role in causing your injury.
Common Causes of Forklift Accidents in Beverly Hills
Forklift accidents happen for many reasons, and negligence is frequently at the root. Some of the most frequently seen causes include inadequate training of operators who were not properly certified or supervised, reckless operation such as speeding or making sharp turns without regard for nearby workers, overloading beyond the forklift’s rated capacity, failure to mark designated pedestrian walkways, brake or steering malfunctions from skipped maintenance checks, and operator fatigue.
What Injuries Do Forklift Accident Victims Suffer?
Crush and Impact Injuries
When a forklift strikes a worker or tips over, the resulting force can cause catastrophic damage to the body. Crushed limbs, fractured bones, and internal organ damage are common outcomes, and in many cases, victims require multiple surgeries, extended rehabilitation, and permanent adjustments to how they live and work.
Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Falls from elevated forks and vehicle rollovers frequently cause serious head trauma and damage to the spine. A spinal cord injury can result in partial or complete paralysis, permanently altering a victim’s ability to work and care for themselves. Catastrophic injuries of this nature carry lifetime medical costs that can reach into the millions.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Commonly recoverable compensation includes past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and costs related to long-term disability or in-home care. In cases involving especially reckless or willful conduct, courts may also award punitive damages. When a forklift accident results in a death, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in California?
California law imposes strict deadlines on personal injury claims. In most situations, injured workers have two years from the date of their accident to file a civil lawsuit against a negligent party. Acting quickly protects your right to pursue full compensation and gives our team the time needed to gather evidence, identify witnesses, and preserve critical records before they disappear.
Contact Setareh Law After a Beverly Hills Forklift Accident
If you or a family member has been seriously hurt in a forklift accident in Beverly Hills or anywhere in California, fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation today.
