Dallas Forklift Injury Lawyers

Notable Results in Complex Cases

Our firm has secured major verdicts and settlements in industrial and workplace accident cases, including multi-million-dollar recoveries for families following explosions, electrocutions, and equipment failures. These results demonstrate our ability to take on complex liability, powerful corporate defendants, and the insurers that stand behind them.

• $860 Million – Wrongful Death: Construction Disaster/Crane Collapse: Member of the trial team that obtained an $860 million verdict for the mother and estate of a woman killed when a crane collapsed on a Dallas County apartment building.
• $109.5 Million – Gas Explosion: Burn Injuries: Verdict against CPS Energy for its failure to maintain its gas system, which caused a natural gas explosion and fire.
• $70 Million - Wrongful Death, Negligent Security/Operations
• $67.5 Million – Burn injury, Fire / Explosion
• $60 Million - Wrongful Death, Worksite Explosion
• $37.5 Million – Wrongful Death: Trucking Crash: Verdict for the estate of a man killed by an Oncor service truck. Oncor denied liability but the jury sided with us.
• $33.1 Million – Wrongful Death: Oilfield Accident: Settlement secured for the family of an oilfield worker killed in the line of duty.
• $30 Million – Wrongful Death, Trucking Crash
• $25 Million – Wrongful Death: Fire & Explosion Oilfield Disaster: Settlement obtained for the family of a worker killed in an oilfield fire and explosion.
• $10.5 Million – Workplace Injury: Electrical Shock: Settlement secured for a worker who suffered catastrophic injuries in an electrical shock incident.
• $12.5 Million – Personal Injuries, Construction Accident
• $10.5 Million – Wrongful Death, Negligent Undertaking

See more of our results.

Understanding Forklift Accident Claims

Forklifts are essential tools on construction sites, in warehouses, and at industrial facilities. But when training is inadequate, equipment is defective, or workplace safety rules are ignored, these machines can cause catastrophic harm. Victims often suffer crushing injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, or even death. 

Why Forklift Accidents Happen

Most forklift accidents can be traced back to preventable errors or unsafe practices. Common causes include:

• Operator negligence such as speeding, reckless driving, or improper maneuvering.
• Insufficient training where unqualified workers are allowed to operate forklifts.
• Defective or poorly maintained equipment including brake, steering, or hydraulic failures.
• Unsafe workplace conditions like cluttered aisles, poor lighting, or lack of supervision.
• Improper loading practices, including overloading or failing to secure cargo.

Each of these failures may amount to negligence, and negligence is what creates liability in forklift injury cases.

Who May Be Liable

Because forklifts are used in complex work environments, more than one party may be responsible for an accident. For example:

• Employers or contractors who failed to provide training or a safe workplace.
• Equipment manufacturers or distributors if a defect in design or manufacturing played a role.
• Property owners who allowed unsafe premises or conditions.
• Third-party contractors whose actions created a hazard. 

Investigating liability requires quick action to preserve equipment, training records, and accident scene evidence.

Your Rights After a Forklift Accident

Texas law allows injured workers and families to seek compensation beyond workers’ compensation in cases involving third-party negligence. Depending on the facts, victims may be entitled to recover for:

• Medical bills and long-term treatment costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

The most important step after a forklift accident is ensuring evidence is preserved and your rights are protected. An experienced Dallas forklift accident attorney can investigate the facts, identify every liable party, and pursue the full measure of compensation the law allows.

Compensation in Forklift Accident Cases

Forklift accidents often occur in the workplace, where workers’ compensation benefits may be available. These benefits typically cover medical care and part of a worker’s lost wages, but they are limited and do not provide damages for pain, suffering, or long-term loss of quality of life.

Understanding the distinction between workers’ compensation and civil lawsuits is essential in these cases:

• Workers’ Compensation: Provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement but usually prevents employees from suing their direct employer.
• Civil Injury / Third-Party Claims: May be brought against other responsible parties such as equipment manufacturers, property owners, or contractors. These lawsuits allow victims and families to pursue broader damages, including full lost income, pain and suffering, wrongful death damages, and even punitive damages in cases of gross negligence.

In many forklift cases, both avenues come into play. A worker may receive workers’ comp benefits while also filing a third-party lawsuit to recover the full measure of damages.

At Lyons & Simmons, our attorneys carefully investigate every case to identify all potential defendants and claims. This approach allows us to position clients to recover the damages they deserve, which may include:

• Medical expenses and long-term care needs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship and support (in wrongful death cases)
• Punitive damages when misconduct is extreme