Chicago Forklift Accident Lawyer

Full and Fair Compensation for Forklift Injuries in Chicago

Our Chicago forklift accident lawyer team represents injured workers and bystanders throughout the city and across Illinois, helping them recover maximum compensation they need after life-changing accidents. 

Forklift Accident Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

Our forklift injury attorneys have helped clients and families across Chicago recover life-changing compensation after devastating forklift accidents. Here are a few examples of the results we’ve achieved:

$11,000,000 – Fatal Warehouse Accident in Cicero

Our client’s family came to us after Luis, a temporary worker at a distribution warehouse in Cicero, was crushed to death when a forklift operator backed into him in a crowded loading area. OSHA investigators found multiple safety violations, including inadequate traffic controls and a lack of spotters in high-traffic zones. 

$4,400,000 – Forklift Tip-Over at Chicago River North Construction Site

Derrick, a seasoned forklift operator, was moving heavy materials at a River North high-rise construction project when the lift tipped over, trapping him underneath. He suffered crushing injuries to both legs and a fractured pelvis, requiring multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation. 

$1,250,000 – Forklift Strikes Shopper in Bridgeview Retail Parking Lot

While loading lumber into a customer’s car at a big-box home improvement store in Bridgeview, an employee drove a forklift into Ralph, a shopper walking toward the entrance. Ralph sustained fractures to his wrist and ribs, and the incident was caught on store surveillance cameras. 

What Makes Us the Best Forklift Injury Lawyers in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and hold top ratings on Avvo for their skill, ethics, and client satisfaction.

We’ve recovered millions for injured workers and bystanders across Chicago, from warehouse collisions on the West Side to construction site tip-overs in the Loop. Our deep knowledge of Illinois labor law and OSHA forklift safety standards allows us to handle both workers’ compensation and complex third-party claims.

Types of Forklift Accident Cases We Handle

Forklift accidents happen in warehouses, construction sites, retail stores, and loading docks across Chicago. Our construction accident lawyers in Chicago handle claims involving:

• Tip-overs caused by unstable loads or uneven ground
• Struck by accidents involving pedestrians
• Falling materials from elevated forks
• Loading dock mishaps and dock plate failures
• Brake, steering, or lift defects
• Untrained operator errors in violation of OSHA standards

What Are the Most Common Causes of Forklift Accidents in Chicago?

In our investigations, most forklift accidents trace back to preventable hazards, such as: untrained operators, skipped maintenance, unsafe warehouse layouts, overloaded forks, or ignored OSHA safety rules. Whether it’s a contractor cutting corners or a defective machine, we find the cause and hold the right parties responsible.

What Serious Injuries Are Common in Forklift Accidents?

Forklifts weigh thousands of pounds, so injuries are often life-changing and include fractures, crushed limbs, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, internal organ damage, and fatalities. 

What Damages Can Forklift Accident Victims Recover in Chicago?

We help our clients pursue all available economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical bills – hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and future medical care
• Lost wages – income you missed while recovering
• Loss of earning capacity – when you can’t return to your previous job or income level
• Rehabilitation costs – physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistive devices
• Pain and suffering – physical discomfort, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
• Disability and disfigurement – permanent injuries affecting your appearance or abilities

Under Illinois law, damages may come through a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party lawsuit, depending on who’s at fault.

What Is the Average Forklift Accident Payout in Chicago?

Based on recent Illinois forklift accident cases, settlements and verdicts can vary from $120,000 for less severe injuries to more than $13 million in catastrophic injury cases. The median award in these cases is around $2 million, while the average is over $2.8 million. 

Factors that drive settlement value include the severity and permanence of the injury, the clarity of fault, OSHA or safety violations, and the injured person’s long-term medical and financial needs.

How Common Are Forklift Accidents in Chicago?

In 2024, OSHA’s Chicago region recorded seven fatal forklift-related incidents. These included construction workers being crushed by falling heavy machinery, forklift drivers suffering fatal head trauma from collisions, and other employees struck by falling objects. The cases spanned warehouses, loading docks, and industrial facilities across multiple industries.

Where Do Forklift Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Localize with Chicago-area warehouses, manufacturing plants, construction sites, and distribution hubs.

What Laws Govern Forklift Accident Claims in Chicago?

Forklift accident cases often involve a mix of workplace safety regulations and Illinois injury laws, such as:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Standard 29 CFR 1910.178 – Sets federal safety requirements for powered industrial trucks, including proper training, maintenance standards, and safe operating practices. Violations can support a claim for negligence against an employer or third party.
• (820 ILCS 305) Workers’ Compensation Act – Provides medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits for employees injured in forklift accidents, regardless of fault.
• (740 ILCS 130/) Illinois Premises Liability Act – Allows injury claims against property owners who fail to keep a worksite safe for lawful visitors, including contractors and delivery workers.
• (740 ILCS 100/) Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act – Enables fault to be shared among multiple negligent parties, useful in multi-contractor job site claims.
• (740 ILCS 180/) Wrongful Death Act – Gives surviving family members the right to pursue compensation if a forklift accident is fatal.

How Long Do I Have to File a Forklift Accident Lawsuit in Chicago?

Per Illinois personal injury law, forklift injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the incident under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. 

If your case involves a workers’ compensation claim, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/6(d)) generally gives you three years from the date of injury, or two years from the last payment of benefits, whichever is later.

In tragic cases involving fatalities, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) applies a filing deadline within two years of the death.

Who Is Liable for Forklift Accidents in Chicago?

Liability in a forklift accident isn’t always limited to the person driving. Depending on the facts, we may pursue claims against:

• Employers who fail to train operators or enforce safety rules
• Third-party contractors who create hazardous worksite conditions
• Equipment manufacturers for defective design or parts
• Maintenance companies that fail to properly service forklifts
• Property owners who allow unsafe layouts or surfaces

Common Defenses in Chicago Forklift Accident Cases

Defendants and insurers often try to avoid paying by using familiar defenses:

• Comparative negligence – claiming you were partly at fault
• Assumption of risk – arguing you accepted known dangers
• Unforeseeable misuse – blaming the injury on improper operation outside normal use
• Independent contractor status – denying employer responsibility

We counter these with maintenance records, OSHA compliance evidence, site photos, and expert testimony to prove negligence and causation.

How to Strengthen Your Forklift Accident Case in Chicago

1. Seek immediate medical attention and document all injuries.
2. Report the accident to your employer or site supervisor.
3. Preserve evidence, including photos of the scene and machinery.
4. Get witness statements and contact information.
5. Document unsafe conditions, such as cluttered aisles or missing safety guards.

The sooner we’re involved, the faster we can secure critical evidence and protect your rights.

How Our Forklift Injury Attorneys Can Help

During the legal process, our team will:

• Investigate the accident scene and gather evidence before it’s lost
• Obtain maintenance logs, records of properly trained operators, and OSHA investigation reports
• Work with safety experts and engineers to prove the cause of the accident
• File all third-party and workers’ compensation claims on your behalf
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and corporate defense lawyers
• Prepare for trial to ensure we’re ready if settlement talks stall

Book a Free Consultation With a Chicago Forklift Accident Lawyer Near You

If you’ve been injured in a forklift accident anywhere in Chicago or Illinois, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for you. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to understand your legal options today!

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Champaign, Naperville, Rockford and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.