Forklift Accident Claims

Yes. If you’ve suffered injuries following an accident at work involving a forklift truck, then subject to various time limits, you may have grounds for a claim. Premier Legal Assist is a FCA regulated claims management firm that works with experienced solicitors specialising in work accident claims, including those involving forklifts.

Start by completing a brief online form where you describe the circumstances of your case as well as the injuries you suffered, and we'll be in touch for a free no-obligation consultation.

If your case qualifies, you will be referred to a specialist work accident compensation solicitor. If they take on your case, then they will gather evidence, deal with your employers and their insurers, and negotiate compensation all on a no‑win, no‑fee basis.

The amount of compensation you may receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how they have affected your life. Claims are assessed under two categories: General Damages, which cover pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life; and Special Damages, which compensate you for your financial or ‘out of pocket’ losses such as lost earnings, medical costs (including prescriptions, private medical treatment and therapy), and care needs.

Minor injuries may be worth a few thousand pounds, while serious or life-changing injuries, such as spinal, head, or multiple severe injuries, can reach much higher amounts – each case is unique, and so if your claim is eligible, it is important to have a specialist and experienced legal team behind you to get the compensation you are owed. Your solicitor, often with the help of expert medical evidence, will assess the extent of your injuries, recovery prospects, and financial impact in order to work out the correct value of the compensation you are owed.

Forklift accidents can cause a wide range of serious physical injuries because of the vehicle’s size, speed and weight. Common injuries include:

• Crush injuries
• Fractures
• Amputations
• Spinal damage
• Head and brain injuries
• Back and neck trauma
• Ligament damage
• Scarring
• Friction burns
• Chest and internal injuries
• Severe soft tissue damage
• PTSD and psychological injuries

In the most serious cases, such as those involving multiple or life-changing injuries, claim values can be significant, especially where long-term care, rehabilitation, or loss of earnings are involved.

If one of our specialist panel personal injury lawyers takes on your case, then they will obtain medical evidence about the lasting impact of your injuries to ensure your claim reflects the full extent of your physical and emotional recovery needs. If a medical assessment is required, your solicitor will arrange this locally and conveniently for you.

Yes, an employer's duty of care covers full and part-time workers, temporary and agency workers, self-employed contractors and visitors to the work site where the accident took place. If you fall under any of those categories and have been involved in a forklift incident, you may be able to claim compensation. 

Under the Limitation Act (1980), you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim for compensation as an adult (over the age of 18). If you were injured as a minor (under the age of 18), the time limit is three years from the date of your 18th birthday. 

Robust evidence is crucial to successfully prove negligence and the extent of your injuries in a forklift accident claim. Key types of evidence include:

• Accident reports
• Photographic evidence
• CCTV footage
• Medical reports and records
• Witness evidence, for example from other workers, or anyone who saw what happened
• Expert evidence
• Evidence of financial losses such as payslips
• Workplace training records

If one of our panel personal injury solicitors takes on your forklift claim, they will help you gather and present all necessary evidence to build a compelling case.

No, an employer cannot legally sack or penalise an employee solely for making a legitimate forklift accident claim. Under UK employment law, employees have a legal right to claim compensation if they have been a victim of workplace negligence.

If an employer dismisses, demotes, singles out, victimises or refuses training opportunities to an employee purely because they made a claim, the employee may have grounds for a claim of unfair or constructive dismissal.

It's also important to note that any compensation paid out in a successful workplace accident claim typically comes from the Employer's Liability insurance (EL), which most employers are legally required to have. This means the employer themselves usually do not have to pay out of their pocket, which should dismiss any concerns about financially burdening smaller businesses in particular.

It is very rare for forklift accident claims to go to Court. Most cases are settled outside of the courtroom through negotiations between the claimant's solicitor and the employer's insurance provider.

Both sides generally prefer to avoid Court proceedings due to the associated costs, time, and uncertainty. However, if a settlement agreement cannot be reached amicably, then going to Court remains an option. This is where a judge would review all evidence and decide on who is responsible for the accident (also known as ‘liability’) and if the employer is found to be responsible, and if it hasn’t already been agreed, the Court will determine the amount of compensation you should receive given all the medical, loss of earnings etc evidence.

Your solicitor will handle all communication and negotiations with the employer and their insurers. Your lawyers will push for fair compensation for your injuries and losses, ultimately going to Court if necessary. 

Our panel of experienced personal injury solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning that you will not pay them anything if your claim is unsuccessful, and there are no upfront fees to get your case started.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

This arrangement significantly reduces the financial risk for the injured party, making legal representation accessible without the burden of upfront costs. Your solicitor will explain the terms to you clearly before you proceed with your case to ensure that you fully understand the process.