Forklift Accident Workers’ Compensation in California

Protecting California Workers Since 1956: No Fees Unless We Win

Forklift accidents rank among the most serious workplace injuries California workers face. Crush injuries, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries can leave workers unable to return to their jobs for months, or permanently. At Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, we’ve represented injured California workers since 1956, and our statewide team of attorneys knows how to pursue every benefit available after a forklift accident.

We work on a contingency basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today for a free consultation at (805) 243-2179.

If you were injured in a forklift accident on the job, don’t wait to get legal help. Call Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld at (805) 243-2179 for a free consultation with our California workers’ compensation team.

What Causes Forklift Accidents in California Workplaces

Most forklift accidents are preventable. Cal/OSHA Title 8, Section 3668 requires employers to train and certify every forklift operator before they operate a powered industrial truck, and that training must address site-specific hazards such as narrow aisles, uneven floors, and high pedestrian traffic. When employers cut corners, workers get hurt.

Common causes of forklift accidents include:

• Inadequate or absent operator training in violation of Cal/OSHA certification requirements
• Overloaded or improperly balanced loads that cause tip-overs and rollovers
• Neglected maintenance including faulty brakes, hydraulic failures, and steering defects
• Obstructed visibility from blind spots, poorly stacked loads, or inadequate lighting
• Unsafe workplace design including cluttered aisles, slick floors, and inadequate traffic separation
• Reckless or speeding operation in high-traffic warehouse and industrial environments

OSHA estimates roughly 70% of forklift incidents could be prevented with proper safety practices. When an employer’s failure to follow those practices causes your injury, you may have legal options.

Injuries California Forklift Accident Victims Suffer

The weight and mechanics of a forklift make collisions and rollovers catastrophic. Workers can be pinned between a forklift and a fixed object, struck by falling loads, or trapped in a tip-over. Forklifts were the source of 84 work-related deaths nationally in a single recent year.

Injuries we see in these cases include:

• Crush injuries to the torso, limbs, and extremities
• Spinal cord injuries that may cause partial or permanent paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), whose symptoms can be delayed after impact
• Severe fractures and amputations
• Lacerations and burn injuries from equipment or load contact

Many of these injuries require surgery, extended physical therapy, and long-term care. Workers often can’t return to the same job, or any physically demanding work.

California Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Forklift Injury

California’s workers’ compensation system is no-fault: benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident. After reporting an injury, the claim administrator has up to 90 days to accept or deny the claim, and medical benefits are provided during that review period. Available benefits include:

• Medical treatment covering surgery, therapy, and medication
• Temporary disability benefits providing partial wage replacement during recovery
• Permanent disability compensation calculated from your disability rating if the injury causes lasting impairment
• Supplemental job displacement voucher for retraining if you can’t return to your prior position
• Death benefits for surviving dependents when a forklift accident is fatal

Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover pain and suffering. But if a third party, such as a forklift manufacturer or a contractor on the worksite, contributed to the accident, a separate personal injury claim may recover those damages. For workers whose forklift injury worsened a pre-existing condition, the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) may provide additional compensation on top of standard workers’ comp. We also pursue Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits when a worker’s injuries affect their long-term ability to work.

Why California Injured Workers Trust Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld

Since 1956, Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld has fought for California workers in industrial settings, warehouses, construction sites, agricultural operations, and the oil industry. These are the environments where forklifts operate every day, and they’re the environments we know. With eight offices throughout California, we’re accessible to injured workers statewide.

Our Record & Approach

Over the course of our history, we’ve won 95% of our cases. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect our commitment to diligent investigation and rigorous attention to detail. We examine workers’ comp eligibility, third-party liability, SIBTF, and SSD benefits in every case where they may apply.

We work on contingency. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Talk to a California Forklift Accident Attorney Today

A forklift injury can upend your income, your health, and your family’s stability. The California workers’ compensation system is complex, and the window to protect your claim is limited. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld can review your case, explain your options, and pursue every benefit available under the law.

Our consultations are free and our representation costs you nothing unless we win. Call us at (805) 243-2179 to reach any of our eight California offices.