Great Falls Forklift Accident Attorney

Forklifts move thousands of pounds of materials every day in warehouses, construction sites, and industrial yards around Great Falls. When something goes wrong, a forklift can cause life-changing injuries in a matter of seconds. You may suddenly find yourself unable to work, facing surgeries, and wondering how your family will get by.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a forklift incident in this area, Hoyt & Blewett PLLC is here to help. We are a third-generation Montana personal injury law firm that has been standing up for injured people for decades. Our managing partner, Zander Blewett, is widely recognized for his trial record, and insurance companies across Montana know we are fully prepared to take a case to court when needed.

You do not have to figure out your options alone. We offer free, no obligation consultations so you can talk directly with a lawyer about what happened and what you can do next. 

To speak with a forklift accident lawyer that Great Falls workers and families can turn to in difficult times, call (406) 233-1302 today.

What is a Forklift?

A forklift is a powered industrial vehicle used to lift, carry, stack, and transport heavy materials. Forklifts are commonly used in warehouses, factories, construction sites, freight terminals, agricultural facilities, and retail distribution centers. Because forklifts can weigh several tons and carry heavy loads, they can become extremely dangerous when improperly operated or maintained.

There are several types of forklifts commonly used in Montana workplaces, including:

• Counterbalance forklifts
• Reach trucks
• Pallet jacks
• Rough terrain forklifts
• Telehandlers
• Side loaders
• Industrial warehouse forklifts

Forklift operators must receive proper training and certification under federal workplace safety regulations. Employers are also responsible for maintaining safe job sites and ensuring workers follow established safety procedures.

Common Causes of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents can occur for many reasons, but many incidents are preventable. Negligence, inadequate training, poor maintenance, and unsafe worksite conditions frequently contribute to serious injuries.

Some of the most common causes of forklift accidents include:

• Inadequate Operator Training: Forklift operators must understand how to safely maneuver heavy equipment, transport loads, and operate within crowded worksites. Employers that fail to properly train workers place everyone on the site at risk.
• Overloaded Forklifts: Exceeding a forklift’s weight capacity can cause the machine to tip over or lose stability. Improperly balanced loads may also fall and strike nearby workers.
• Speeding or Reckless Operation: Operating a forklift too quickly, especially around corners or in confined spaces, can lead to collisions and rollover accidents.
• Poor Equipment Maintenance: Mechanical failures involving brakes, steering systems, tires, hydraulics, or warning devices can result in devastating accidents. Employers have a duty to inspect and maintain forklifts regularly.
• Unsafe Worksite Conditions: Cluttered walkways, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and a lack of pedestrian safety zones increase the likelihood of forklift accidents.
• Falling Loads: Improperly secured cargo can fall from elevated forklift platforms and cause crush injuries or fatalities.
• Blind Spots and Limited Visibility: Forklift operators often have restricted visibility, especially when carrying oversized loads. Failure to use spotters or warning systems can lead to serious collisions.
• Lack of Safety Protocols: Many accidents happen when employers ignore Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations or fail to enforce workplace safety rules.

Common Types of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents can happen in many different ways. Some of the most serious incidents involve:

• Forklift rollover accidents
• Pedestrian struck-by accidents
• Crushing accidents
• Falling material accidents
• Loading dock accidents
• Warehouse collisions
• Pinning accidents
• Forklift tip-overs
• Mechanical failure accidents
• Construction site forklift accidents

These accidents frequently occur in warehouses, industrial plants, shipping facilities, construction projects, and agricultural operations throughout Great Falls and surrounding Montana communities.

Common Forklift Accident Injuries

Forklift accidents often result in severe or life-changing injuries due to the massive weight and force involved. Victims may require emergency medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.

Common forklift accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Severe lacerations
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Wrongful death

Some victims are unable to return to work for months or even permanently. In these situations, pursuing full financial compensation becomes critical.

Liability for Forklift Accidents

Determining liability in a forklift accident can be complex because multiple parties may share responsibility. A thorough investigation is often necessary to identify all potentially liable individuals and companies.

Potentially liable parties may include:

Employers

Employers may be responsible if they failed to:

• Properly train forklift operators
• Maintain equipment
• Enforce workplace safety procedures
• Provide adequate supervision
• Correct hazardous worksite conditions

Forklift Operators

Operators who act negligently, recklessly, or while impaired may be held accountable for causing injuries.

Equipment Manufacturers

If a forklift or component contained a design defect or manufacturing defect, the equipment manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws.

Third-Party Contractors

Construction companies, subcontractors, maintenance companies, or outside vendors working on-site may contribute to unsafe conditions that lead to accidents.

Property Owners

Warehouse owners or property managers may share liability if dangerous premises conditions contributed to the incident.

A Great Falls forklift accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident, preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and identify all available sources of compensation.

Workers’ Compensation & Third-Party Claims in MT

Most Montana workers injured in forklift accidents are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits through their employer’s insurance coverage. Workers’ compensation generally provides benefits regardless of fault.

Workers’ compensation benefits may include:

• Medical treatment
• Wage loss benefits
• Temporary disability benefits
• Permanent disability benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation

However, workers’ compensation may not fully compensate victims for all damages, especially pain and suffering. In some cases, injured workers may also have the right to pursue a third-party personal injury claim.

What is a Third-Party Claim?

A third-party claim is a lawsuit against someone other than your employer who contributed to the accident. Examples include:

• Negligent subcontractors
• Equipment manufacturers
• Property owners
• Outside maintenance providers

Unlike workers’ compensation claims, third-party lawsuits may allow victims to recover:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Full lost wages
• Future earning capacity losses
• Emotional distress damages

An experienced Great Falls forklift accident attorney can determine whether you may qualify for both workers’ compensation benefits and a third-party claim.

Why Injured Workers Choose Our Firm

After a serious forklift accident, you are not just up against an employer. You may also be dealing with large insurance companies and out-of-state corporations that are focused on limiting what they pay. In that situation, the law firm you choose matters. Our attorneys have built a reputation across Montana for actually going to trial and winning substantial verdicts, which often motivates insurers to take our clients’ claims seriously from the start.

Our results reflect that history. We secured the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in Montana history at $27 million for a brain injury, an $11 million settlement in a construction accident case, a $9.79 million railroad crossing verdict, and many other verdicts and settlements in the millions.

To discuss your situation with a Great Falls forklift accident attorney, call (406) 233-1302 today.