Defective Forklift: Your Rights After a Dangerous Equipment Malfunction

Forklifts are essential tools in warehouses, construction sites, and distribution centers across the nation. But when these powerful machines are poorly designed, improperly manufactured, or inadequately maintained, they can cause catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a defective forklift, you may be entitled to compensation through a product liability claim, and Morgan & Morgan is here to help.

As the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, we have the experience, resources, and reach to take on negligent manufacturers, employers, and insurers. When equipment fails, your future shouldn’t be the cost.

How Forklift Defects Lead to Serious Injuries

Forklifts can weigh thousands of pounds and carry heavy loads through tight, fast-paced environments. Any malfunction, even a minor one, can lead to major consequences. Common defects include:

• Brake failures
• Steering system malfunctions
• Hydraulic or lift mechanism failure
• Faulty safety alarms or reverse signals
• Electrical issues or battery fires
• Seatbelt or restraint system failures
• Design flaws that cause tip-overs

These failures often occur without warning, leaving operators and nearby workers little time to react. Unfortunately, the resulting injuries can be severe: crush injuries, amputations, spinal trauma, brain injuries, or even death.

Product Liability and Defective Forklifts

When a forklift is defective, the manufacturer, designer, or distributor may be held legally responsible under product liability law. There are typically three types of product defects that can lead to a claim:

Design Defects

These occur when the forklift’s design is inherently unsafe, even before it’s built. For example, a forklift that lacks stability when lifting standard loads or is prone to tipping on routine turns may be dangerously flawed by design.

Manufacturing Defects

This type of defect typically arises during the production process. A mistake on the assembly line, a faulty batch of parts, or poor quality control can all result in a forklift that doesn’t function as intended.

Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)

If the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings, safety instructions, or labels, it may be held liable for any injuries that result. Workers must be warned about known risks, especially in high-risk equipment like forklifts.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In a defective forklift case, liability doesn’t always rest with just one party. Depending on the circumstances, multiple entities may share responsibility, including:

• Forklift manufacturers
• Parts or component manufacturers
• Distributors or sellers
• Maintenance contractors
• Employers (in cases of improper inspection or training)

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys investigate every possible angle. We review maintenance logs, design specs, accident reports, and safety histories to determine exactly how the failure occurred and who should be held accountable.

What to Do After a Forklift Injury

If you’ve been injured in a forklift accident and suspect a defect was involved, here are the steps you should take:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your health and safety are the top priority. Prompt care also creates vital documentation for your case.

Preserve the Equipment

If possible, ensure the forklift is not repaired or altered. It may be used as evidence during your claim.

Report the Incident

Notify your employer or supervisor and complete an incident report. Include as many details as possible.

Document Everything

Take photos of the forklift, the scene, and your injuries. Keep records of your treatment, missed work, and related expenses.

Contact a Product Liability Attorney

Don’t wait to get legal advice. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the stronger your case may be.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Defective equipment cases often involve powerful companies and complex investigations. With Morgan & Morgan, you’re not facing it alone. When you work with us, you gain access to a legal team that includes experienced product liability attorneys.

We’ll handle everything from evidence gathering to negotiations with the manufacturer’s insurance company, and we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to recover full compensation.

Compensation for Forklift Injury Victims

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death (on behalf of a loved one)

Our goal is to pursue the maximum compensation available, because you shouldn’t have to shoulder the cost of someone else’s negligence.

Forklift Accidents and Workers’ Compensation

Many forklift injuries occur on the job, and that typically means a workers’ compensation claim. But what many injured workers don’t realize is that you may also have a third-party product liability claim if the forklift was defective.

Workers’ compensation may cover medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but it rarely provides full compensation for long-term impacts, such as pain, disability, or future income loss. That’s why it's critical to explore all legal options with an experienced attorney.

We Handle Complex Cases Nationwide

While forklift accidents can happen anywhere, Morgan & Morgan handles defective product claims nationwide. We understand federal safety standards, OSHA regulations, and how to pursue claims across multiple jurisdictions. Whether your injury occurred in a warehouse in Florida or on a construction site in California, we’re equipped to fight for your rights.

Injured By a Forklift? Let Us Get to Work

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe that justice should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer free case evaluations and never charge upfront fees. We work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win for you.

If a defective forklift injured you or a loved one, don’t wait to take action. Evidence can disappear, deadlines can pass, and recovery only gets harder the longer you wait.