NYC Construction Vehicle & Forklift Accident Lawyer

Injured In A Construction Vehicle Or Forklift Accident?

Construction sites depend on forklifts, loaders, excavators, backhoes, dump trucks, skid-steer loaders, delivery vehicles, and other mobile equipment. These vehicles move heavy materials through crowded areas where workers from several trades may be walking, carrying equipment, directing traffic, or performing work nearby.

A worker may be struck by a reversing vehicle, crushed between a forklift and a wall, injured by a falling load, thrown from an overturning machine, or hit by equipment operating with limited visibility. Serious accidents may also occur when a vehicle enters an excavation, rolls over an unprotected edge, or collides with scaffolding, temporary structures, utilities, or other equipment.

OSHA maintains construction standards governing jobsite motor vehicles, earthmoving machinery, and material-handling equipment. These rules address brakes, alarms, operator visibility, posted load capacities, overhead guards, vehicle condition, operator training, and safe use.

If you were injured by a forklift, construction vehicle, or piece of mobile equipment, speak with a lawyer promptly. Vehicle locations, camera footage, equipment data, delivery records, inspection documents, and witness information may disappear soon after an accident.

The attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. represent workers injured in serious New York City construction accidents. Call (212) 970-6500 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Construction Vehicle And Forklift Cases We Handle

Our attorneys investigate accidents involving:

Forklifts and lift trucks
Rough-terrain forklifts
Telehandlers
Front-end loaders
Skid-steer loaders
Backhoes
Excavators
Bulldozers
Dump trucks
Concrete trucks
Delivery trucks
Flatbed trucks
Utility vehicles
Power buggies
Tractors
Material-handling vehicles
Construction equipment operating in reverse
Forklift overturns
Falling and unstable loads
Workers pinned between equipment and fixed objects
Pedestrians struck by construction vehicles
Vehicles entering trenches or excavations
Machinery rolling over unprotected edges
Defective brakes, alarms, steering, tires, or restraints
Untrained or unauthorized operators
Fatal construction vehicle accidents

The legal claims available depend on the type of equipment, how the accident occurred, who employed and supervised the operator, who owned or maintained the vehicle, and which parties controlled traffic and safety at the site.

Why Construction Vehicles Are Dangerous

Construction vehicles frequently operate in congested, noisy, and constantly changing environments. Workers may be required to walk near moving equipment while carrying materials, using tools, or concentrating on another task.

Many construction machines have substantial blind spots. The operator may be unable to see a worker standing directly behind, beside, or in front of the vehicle. Loads, attachments, mirrors, equipment structures, dust, weather, poor lighting, and nearby materials can further obstruct visibility.

Forklifts and telehandlers present additional stability risks. Their weight, center of gravity, load height, attachments, ground conditions, turning speed, and operating slope can affect whether the machine remains stable. Different types of powered industrial trucks also present different operating hazards depending on their configuration and workplace conditions.

Common Causes Of Construction Vehicle Accidents

Vehicles Operating In Reverse

Backing accidents are a major danger on construction sites because many trucks and machines have restricted rear visibility.

A worker may be struck when:

A reverse alarm does not operate
The alarm cannot be heard over jobsite noise
No spotter is assigned
The operator and spotter lose visual contact
The operator reverses before receiving a signal
The designated travel path is not barricaded
Workers are not warned that equipment will move
Mirrors or cameras are missing, blocked, or defective
Materials obstruct the operator’s view
The operator assumes the area is clear

OSHA prohibits the use of earthmoving or compacting equipment with an obstructed rear view in reverse unless a distinguishable reverse signal alarm is operating or another employee signals that it is safe to move.

A backup alarm alone may not make an operation safe when the site is extremely noisy, several vehicles are moving, or workers must enter the vehicle’s blind area.

Blind Spots And Inadequate Spotting

Blind spots vary according to the vehicle, attachment, load, operating position, and direction of travel.

Potential failures include:

No site-specific traffic plan
No designated pedestrian route
No trained spotter
More than one person giving signals
Workers entering the operating zone without notice
The operator moving after losing sight of the spotter
Poor radio communication
Inconsistent hand signals
Inadequate lighting
Failure to use barricades or warning signs

An investigation should determine what the operator could actually see from the seat and whether the contractor accounted for the machine’s blind areas.

Forklift Overturns

A forklift may overturn when the operator:

Turns too sharply
Drives too fast
Travels with the load raised
Operates on an excessive slope
Drives across an uneven surface
Exceeds the rated capacity
Uses an unauthorized attachment
Encounters a hole or unprotected edge
Operates with an unstable or off-center load
Drives onto a surface that cannot support the truck
Leaves a loading dock or elevated surface
Collides with materials or another vehicle

Forklift overturns can crush the operator or eject the operator from the vehicle. Workers standing nearby may also be struck by the truck, its mast, the forks, or the load.

OSHA’s construction equipment rules require posted rated capacities, prohibit exceeding those capacities, and restrict modifications that affect capacity or safe operation unless the manufacturer provides written approval.

Falling Or Unstable Loads

Forklifts, telehandlers, loaders, and delivery vehicles may carry:

Pallets
Lumber
Steel
Pipes
Masonry
Drywall
Mechanical equipment
Scaffolding components
Roofing material
Concrete products
Containers
Construction debris

A load may fall when it is:

Improperly stacked
Unbalanced
Off-center
Not secured
Too heavy
Raised too high
Carried on damaged forks
Moved across uneven terrain
Handled with the wrong attachment
Lifted beyond the machine’s capacity
Transported while workers stand beneath or beside it

A worker struck by a falling forklift load may have claims involving both unsafe material handling and an elevation-related falling-object hazard.

Learn more about falling-object accidents on construction sites.

Untrained Or Unauthorized Operators

Forklift operation requires more than the ability to start and steer the machine. The operator must understand the specific truck, its controls, attachments, capacity, stability, workplace conditions, pedestrian hazards, and load-handling procedures.

For construction work, OSHA incorporates powered-industrial-truck operator-training requirements. Training must include formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation of the operator’s workplace performance. Operators must be trained for the type of truck and conditions they will encounter.

Refresher training may be required when an operator:

Drives unsafely
Is involved in an accident or near miss
Fails an evaluation
Is assigned a different type of truck
Encounters changed workplace conditions

Allowing an inexperienced, unauthorized, or improperly trained worker to operate a forklift can expose both the operator and everyone nearby to serious danger.

Excessive Speed And Unsafe Turns

A forklift or construction vehicle may become difficult to stop or control when operated too quickly.

Excessive speed can contribute to:

Pedestrian impacts
Rollovers
Falling loads
Collisions with structures
Loss of control on slopes
Equipment entering excavations
Skidding on wet or loose surfaces
Inability to stop when a worker enters the travel path

Operators should account for the surface, load, visibility, congestion, turning radius, grade, weather, and nearby workers.

A posted speed limit does not prevent an accident when it is not enforced or when conditions require an even lower speed.

Defective Brakes And Steering

Construction vehicles must be capable of stopping, holding, steering, and operating safely under expected loads and conditions.

OSHA requires covered jobsite motor vehicles to have service, emergency, and parking-brake systems maintained in operable condition. Material-handling and earthmoving equipment is also subject to brake and operational requirements.

Potential defects include:

Worn brakes
Hydraulic leaks
Steering failure
Defective parking brakes
Tire failure
Broken controls
Faulty transmission components
Defective pedals
Damaged forks
Cracked mast components
Worn chains or hydraulic hoses
Improper repairs
Missing safety devices

The equipment should be preserved before it is repaired, returned to a rental company, or placed back into service.

Missing Or Defective Alarms And Horns

Construction vehicles may require horns, reverse alarms, lights, mirrors, cameras, or other warning systems.

A warning device may be ineffective because:

It does not work
It is too quiet
It sounds continuously and workers ignore it
Several machines create similar sounds
The operator does not use the horn
Workers wear hearing protection
Jobsite noise masks the warning
The alarm was disconnected
The equipment was modified
The alarm is obstructed or damaged

OSHA requires bidirectional machines such as loaders, bulldozers, compactors, and similar equipment to have an operable horn distinguishable from surrounding noise. Equipment with an obstructed rear view is subject to reverse-alarm or signaling requirements.

Poorly Designed Traffic Routes

A construction site should separate moving vehicles from pedestrians whenever reasonably possible.

Unsafe traffic conditions may include:

No designated vehicle route
No pedestrian walkway
Intersecting equipment and worker paths
Blind corners
Blocked exits
Inadequate barricades
Poor lighting
Materials stored in travel lanes
Vehicles backing long distances
Equipment operating near break areas
Delivery trucks entering without coordination
Workers directed through active loading areas
Missing signs or traffic-control personnel

The general contractor, construction manager, property owner, subcontractors, and vehicle operators may have overlapping responsibilities for traffic coordination.

Loading And Unloading Accidents

Construction deliveries may involve forklifts, truck-mounted lifts, flatbeds, trailers, loading docks, ramps, and temporary staging areas.

Workers may be injured when:

A trailer moves during loading
A ramp or dock plate fails
The forklift drives off an edge
Materials shift when restraints are removed
A load falls from a flatbed
The truck parks on an unsafe grade
Workers stand within the unloading zone
The driver and forklift operator do not communicate
A suspended or elevated load strikes a worker
The surface cannot support the equipment

Forklifts are widely used to load and unload materials, and OSHA identifies struck-by incidents, dock and trailer falls, falling loads, and overturns among the hazards associated with their use.

Workers Elevated On Forks Or Pallets

Workers should not be raised on bare forks, pallets, makeshift platforms, or unsecured materials.

OSHA’s construction equipment standard requires additional precautions when a powered industrial truck elevates personnel, including a safety platform firmly secured to the lifting carriage or forks, a way for the elevated worker to shut off power, and protection from falling objects when necessary.

Unsafe practices may include:

Standing directly on the forks
Standing on a loose pallet
Using an unsecured platform
Moving the forklift while a worker is elevated
Failing to provide fall protection
Raising a worker beneath overhead hazards
Using equipment not approved for personnel lifting

A fall from an elevated forklift platform may also support claims under New York’s elevation-safety laws.

Vehicles Near Trenches And Excavations

Heavy vehicles can endanger workers inside and around an excavation.

A vehicle may:

Fall into the trench
Strike a worker at the edge
Cause vibration that destabilizes soil
Place excessive weight near the excavation
Push spoil or materials into the trench
Damage protective systems
Block a worker’s exit route

Traffic plans, barricades, stop logs, warning systems, and safe setback distances may be necessary when vehicles approach an excavation.

Learn more about New York City trench and excavation accidents.

Unsafe Roadways, Grades, And Surfaces

Access roads and operating surfaces must be capable of safely supporting the vehicles and equipment using them.

Hazards may include:

Excessive slopes
Loose gravel
Mud
Snow or ice
Standing water
Holes
Debris
Weak temporary flooring
Unprotected edges
Inadequate ramps
Improperly constructed berms
Surfaces unable to support the vehicle’s weight

OSHA prohibits employers from moving construction equipment or vehicles on an access roadway or grade unless it is constructed and maintained to accommodate their safe movement.

Defective Or Poorly Maintained Forklifts

Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks should be inspected and maintained so unsafe conditions are identified before operation.

OSHA states that powered industrial trucks must be examined before being placed in service. Daily or shift-based examinations may be required depending on how the equipment is used.

Inspections may address:

Brakes
Steering
Tires
Forks
Mast chains
Hydraulic hoses
Fluid leaks
Warning devices
Overhead guards
Load backrests
Safety restraints
Lights
Controls
Attachments
Capacity plates

An inspection has little value when reported defects are ignored or the equipment remains in service without repair.

Carbon Monoxide, Fuel, And Battery Hazards

Internal-combustion forklifts and construction vehicles may produce dangerous exhaust when used in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.

Battery-powered equipment can create separate risks involving:

Electrical energy
Battery acid
Hydrogen gas
Charging operations
Improper connections
Damaged batteries
Fire and explosion

OSHA warns that internal-combustion forklifts can create indoor-air hazards in enclosed areas and that electric forklifts present battery-charging, chemical, and electrical hazards.

Forklift Accidents Can Injure Operators And Pedestrians

The injured person does not need to have been operating the forklift.

Forklift and construction vehicle accidents commonly injure:

Laborers
Carpenters
Ironworkers
Electricians
Plumbers
Masons
Painters
Roofers
Delivery workers
Flaggers
Spotters
Equipment operators
Supervisors
Workers unloading materials
Workers performing tasks beside vehicle routes

A worker may be struck without ever seeing or hearing the machine approach.

OSHA Construction Vehicle And Forklift Requirements

OSHA’s construction motor-vehicle standard applies to covered vehicles operating within off-highway jobsites that are not open to public traffic.

Its requirements address matters including:

Service brakes
Emergency brakes
Parking brakes
Lights
Audible warning devices
Obstructed rear views
Reverse alarms or signaling
Vehicle condition
Inspection and repair

OSHA’s material-handling equipment standard addresses earthmoving equipment, industrial trucks, forklifts, loaders, tractors, and similar machines.

Its requirements include provisions concerning:

Seat belts
Access roadways and grades
Brakes
Horns
Reverse alarms
Rollover protection
Posted rated capacities
Manufacturer approval for modifications
Overhead guards
Personnel riding on equipment
Personnel-lifting platforms
Forklift operator training

These rules should be evaluated alongside other standards governing materials, cranes, excavations, traffic control, fall protection, electrical hazards, and personal protective equipment.

An OSHA violation does not automatically establish every element of a personal injury lawsuit. It may still provide important evidence regarding the hazard, required protection, responsible party, and cause of the accident.

New York Industrial Code Rules For Construction Equipment

New York Industrial Code Part 23 contains rules for power-operated equipment used in construction, demolition, and excavation work.

Subpart 23-9 addresses equipment including:

Power-operated construction equipment
Excavating machines
Motor trucks
Lift trucks
Fork trucks
Power buggies

The rules include provisions concerning maintenance, inspections, trained operators, safe operation, rated loads, moving parts, refueling, equipment at rest, rollover protection, seat belts, and riding on equipment.

The applicable Industrial Code provision depends on the type of vehicle, its use, and the specific way the accident occurred.

New York Labor Laws That May Apply

Construction vehicle accidents may support claims under New York Labor Law, common-law negligence, product-liability law, or a combination of legal theories.

New York Labor Law § 200

New York Labor Law § 200 reflects the general duty to provide workers with reasonable and adequate protection.

A Section 200 claim may involve:

An unsafe vehicle route
Defective construction equipment
A dangerous property condition
Poor lighting
An unguarded edge or excavation
A contractor directing unsafe vehicle operations
Failure to coordinate pedestrians and equipment
A party that created or knew about a dangerous condition

Liability may depend on whether a defendant created or knew about the dangerous condition or exercised authority over the work that caused the accident.

New York Labor Law § 241(6)

New York Labor Law § 241 requires reasonable and adequate protection during construction, demolition, and excavation operations.

A Section 241(6) claim generally must be supported by a sufficiently specific Industrial Code provision that applied to the work, was violated, and contributed to the accident.

Depending on the facts, potentially relevant rules may concern:

Motor trucks
Lift and fork trucks
Power-operated equipment
Excavating machines
Equipment maintenance
Trained operators
Rated capacities
Warning devices
Material handling
Traffic routes
Excavations
Falling materials
Worker protection

The New York State Department of Labor provides access to Industrial Code Part 23 and other safety rules.

New York Labor Law § 240

New York Labor Law § 240 addresses certain elevation-related construction hazards.

Section 240 does not automatically apply merely because a forklift or vehicle was involved.

It may become relevant when:

A worker falls from an elevated forklift platform
A worker is improperly raised on forks or a pallet
A forklift load falls from an elevated position
A vehicle strikes a scaffold or ladder and causes a fall
Material being lifted or lowered is inadequately secured
The failure of an elevation-safety device contributes to the accident

The analysis depends on the work being performed, the elevation differential, the object or load involved, and the safety device that should have been provided.

Workers’ Compensation And Third-Party Lawsuits

An injured worker may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate lawsuit against a responsible third party.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

New York workers’ compensation may provide:

Necessary medical treatment
A portion of lost wages
Temporary disability benefits
Permanent disability benefits
Reduced-earning-capacity benefits
Certain death benefits for surviving dependents

Workers generally do not have to prove that their employer caused the accident to seek workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation ordinarily prevents an employee from suing the direct employer for ordinary negligence.

Third-Party Construction Accident Lawsuits

Workers’ compensation does not necessarily prevent an injured worker from suing someone other than the direct employer.

Potential third-party defendants may include:

A property owner
A general contractor
A construction manager
Another subcontractor
The operator’s employer
A delivery company
A trucking company
An equipment owner
A forklift rental company
A maintenance contractor
A repair company
A manufacturer
A distributor
A company controlling site traffic
Another negligent party

A third-party lawsuit may seek compensation unavailable through workers’ compensation, including damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, and the full effect of the injury on the worker’s future.

Learn more about third-party liability after a New York construction accident.

Product-Liability Claims Involving Defective Vehicles

A forklift or construction vehicle may be unsafe because of a defective design, manufacturing error, inadequate warning, or failed safety component.

Potential defects may involve:

Brakes
Steering
Tires
Seat belts
Operator restraints
Rollover protection
Warning alarms
Cameras
Mirrors
Forks
Masts
Hydraulic systems
Load charts
Stability systems
Controls
Attachments
Fuel systems
Batteries

Claims may be available against a manufacturer, distributor, rental company, maintenance contractor, or another company responsible for the equipment.

The vehicle and its electronic or mechanical data should be preserved before repair, alteration, destruction, or return.

Who May Be Responsible For A Construction Vehicle Accident?

Potentially responsible parties may include:

The property owner
The general contractor
The construction manager
The operator’s employer
Another subcontractor
A delivery or trucking company
A forklift owner
An equipment rental company
A maintenance or repair contractor
A vehicle manufacturer
A component manufacturer
A product distributor
A site-safety company
A traffic-control contractor
Another party controlling the work area

Determining responsibility requires reviewing contracts, ownership records, work assignments, supervision, traffic plans, inspection documents, maintenance records, operator training, and the actual conduct of the parties.

What To Do After A Forklift Or Construction Vehicle Accident

Get Medical Care Immediately

A vehicle impact or crush accident can cause severe internal injuries even when external injuries appear limited.

Report every symptom, including:

Headaches
Dizziness
Confusion
Neck or back pain
Difficulty breathing
Abdominal pain
Numbness
Weakness
Hearing changes
Vision problems
Pain in the arms or legs

Follow all recommended treatment and attend follow-up appointments.

Report The Accident

Report the accident to your employer, foreman, supervisor, union representative, or site-safety personnel.

Identify:

The vehicle involved
The operator
The operator’s employer
The direction the vehicle was moving
Whether it was reversing
Whether a spotter was present
Whether an alarm sounded
Whether a load was being carried
The work you were performing
The witnesses who were nearby

Request a copy of the accident report and do not sign an inaccurate description.

Photograph The Scene And Vehicle

When it can be done safely, photograph:

The vehicle
The vehicle identification or unit number
The forks or attachment
The load
Tire marks
Damage
Warning devices
Mirrors and cameras
The operator’s view
Travel routes
Barricades
Lighting
Nearby materials
Excavations or edges
Your clothing and safety equipment
Your visible injuries

Do not enter an unsafe operating area merely to take photographs.

Identify Witnesses

Obtain the names and contact information of:

Coworkers
Equipment operators
Spotters
Flaggers
Supervisors
Delivery drivers
Site-safety personnel
Workers from other trades
Anyone who observed the vehicle before the accident
Anyone who participated in the response

Preserve Equipment And Records

Important evidence may include:

The vehicle
Attachments
Forks
Load restraints
Electronic control data
Camera recordings
GPS or telematics data
Inspection records
Maintenance documents
Repair histories
Rental agreements
Training certifications
Operator evaluations
Delivery records
Traffic plans
Daily logs
Surveillance footage

A lawyer can send preservation demands before the equipment or data is altered.

Avoid Recorded Statements Without Legal Advice

Insurance representatives may ask for a statement shortly after the accident.

Do not speculate about speed, distance, visibility, equipment condition, or responsibility. Speak with a lawyer before providing a recorded statement to an insurer representing a potential defendant.

Contact A Lawyer Promptly

Construction sites change quickly. Vehicles may be removed, repaired, returned to rental companies, or placed back into service. Camera footage and equipment data may be overwritten.

Projects involving New York City, NYCHA, the MTA, a public school, or another government entity may also involve special notice requirements and shorter deadlines.

Common Construction Vehicle Accident Injuries

Forklift and construction vehicle accidents can cause:

Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis
Crush injuries
Compartment syndrome
Fractures
Internal bleeding
Organ damage
Nerve damage
Amputations
Degloving injuries
Shoulder and knee injuries
Neck and back injuries
Burns
Scarring
Psychological trauma
Permanent disability
Fatal injuries

A worker may suffer injuries from both the initial impact and a secondary fall, rollover, collapse, or falling load.

Compensation Available After A Construction Vehicle Accident

Depending on the available claims, an injured worker may seek compensation for:

Medical expenses
Future medical care
Surgery
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Psychological treatment
Lost wages
Reduced earning capacity
Permanent disability
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Scarring
Disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Household assistance
Assistive equipment
Out-of-pocket expenses

When a construction vehicle accident causes a death, eligible family members may have claims for workers’ compensation death benefits, wrongful death damages, funeral expenses, and other losses permitted by New York law.

How Our Construction Vehicle Accident Lawyers Investigate A Case

An investigation may include:

Inspecting and documenting the accident scene
Identifying every contractor and subcontractor
Identifying the vehicle owner and operator
Preserving the vehicle and attachments
Obtaining photographs and surveillance footage
Preserving electronic and telematics data
Reviewing operator-training records
Examining certifications and evaluations
Reviewing daily equipment inspections
Obtaining maintenance and repair histories
Reviewing rental agreements
Examining manufacturer instructions
Reviewing load and capacity information
Obtaining delivery and dispatch records
Analyzing the traffic-control plan
Reconstructing the operator’s field of view
Interviewing witnesses
Reviewing contracts and site-control arrangements
Obtaining OSHA, DOB, police, and emergency-response records
Investigating prior complaints or accidents
Consulting engineers, equipment experts, reconstruction specialists, physicians, and other professionals

The investigation should determine both how the vehicle struck or injured the worker and which planning, supervision, training, equipment, or traffic-control failures allowed the accident to occur.

Frequently Asked Questions About Forklift And Construction Vehicle Accidents

Can I Sue My Employer After A Forklift Accident?

New York workers’ compensation generally prevents an employee from suing the direct employer for ordinary negligence.

A lawsuit may still be available against a property owner, general contractor, construction manager, another subcontractor, delivery company, equipment owner, rental company, manufacturer, or another responsible third party.

Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation And File A Lawsuit?

Potentially. Workers’ compensation and a third-party lawsuit are separate claims.

An injured worker may receive workers’ compensation benefits while pursuing a claim against someone other than the direct employer. The claims must be coordinated because the workers’ compensation carrier may have lien or reimbursement rights.

What If I Was Hit By A Coworker Operating The Forklift?

Workers’ compensation may cover the workplace injury even when a coworker operated the forklift.

A separate lawsuit may still be available against a property owner, general contractor, equipment company, manufacturer, or another responsible party depending on the circumstances.

What If The Forklift Operator Worked For Another Company?

The operator and the operator’s employer may be potential third-party defendants. Other parties may also be responsible for site traffic, supervision, equipment condition, or the work that placed the worker in danger.

Does OSHA Require Forklift Training?

OSHA requires powered industrial truck operators to receive training and evaluation appropriate to the vehicle and workplace conditions. Construction employers are responsible for ensuring that only trained and competent operators use the equipment.

What If The Reverse Alarm Did Not Work?

A defective or missing reverse alarm may provide important evidence, particularly when the operator’s rear view was obstructed.

The investigation should determine whether the alarm was required, whether it functioned, who inspected it, who maintained it, and whether another signaling method was used.

What If The Forklift Overturned?

An overturn investigation may address speed, turning, load height, load weight, surface conditions, slopes, tires, seat-belt use, rollover protection, attachments, capacity, and operator training.

The vehicle should be preserved before repair or return.

Can Labor Law § 240 Apply To A Forklift Accident?

Not automatically.

It may apply when a worker falls from an elevated forklift platform, an inadequately secured load falls from an elevation, or the accident otherwise involves the type of elevation-related hazard covered by the statute.

What If Defective Equipment Caused The Accident?

A manufacturer, distributor, rental company, maintenance contractor, or repair company may be responsible when a defect causes or contributes to the accident.

The equipment should not be repaired, discarded, altered, or returned before it can be inspected.

What If I Was Partly At Fault?

Do not assume that partial fault prevents a claim.

Comparative negligence may affect some claims. The effect of the worker’s conduct depends on the legal theory, evidence, and parties involved.

How Long Do I Have To File A Claim?

Deadlines depend on the type of claim and identity of the defendants. Workers’ compensation claims, personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death cases, and claims involving government entities follow different procedures.

Contact a lawyer promptly rather than relying on a general deadline.

Related Construction Accident Practice Areas

Speak With A New York City Construction Vehicle Accident Lawyer

A forklift or construction vehicle accident can leave a worker with permanent injuries, extensive medical treatment, lost income, and an uncertain ability to return to the same trade.

The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. represents workers injured by forklifts, trucks, loaders, excavators, backhoes, telehandlers, and other construction equipment throughout New York City.

Call (212) 970-6500 or send us a message for a free consultation. Construction accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, which means there is no attorney’s fee unless a recovery is obtained for you.

Para información en español, visite nuestro sitio de abogados de accidentes de construcción en Nueva York.

New York City Construction Vehicle And Forklift Accident Lawyer