Miami Forklift Accident Lawyer
Some of the most dangerous accidents at construction sites and in warehouses involve forklifts. Indeed, every year thousands of people are injured and dozens killed due to forklifts. And while most forklift accidents involve injuries to the forklift operators themselves, which are often covered by workers’ compensation, there are many cases where the victim is an innocent person or someone other than the forklift operator’s employer can be held legally and financially responsible.
This is where our Miami forklift accident lawyers can help. At Pita Weber Del Prado, our South Florida personal injury attorneys have the skill and experience to successfully represent victims of these types of industrial accidents. Our team includes a Florida Board-certified civil trial attorney with a proven track record of obtaining multi-million settlements and judgments for his clients.
Injured on the Job? You May Not Be Limited to Workers’ Comp
Forklift accidents most commonly occur in a workplace setting, such as an active construction site or a warehouse, when moving materials around. Because of this, many people injured in forklift accidents in the course of doing their job assume they are limited to seeking Florida workers’ compensation benefits for their medical care and lost wages. But that is not always the case.
Workers’ compensation only covers a Florida employer’s liability for injuries to their employees. Yet many Miami forklift accidents are the result of a third party’s negligent or reckless conduct. Accident victims can therefore seek compensation from these parties even if they are receiving workers’ comp from their employer. Some common examples of such third-party responsibility include:
- Equipment Malfunctions — Like any motorized vehicle, a forklift can fail due to a mechanical problem. If the issue can be traced back to a design or manufacturing defect, the company that manufactured the forklift may be responsible for any accidental injuries under Florida product liability laws.
- Defective Rentals — Businesses often rent forklifts for temporary use. The owners of these rental forklifts must ensure they are regularly inspected and properly maintained. If a rental company allows an improperly maintained forklift to leave its premises, it can be found liable if that forklift causes an accident.
- Premises Liability — Forklifts need to operate in a safe space with unobstructed pathways, proper lighting, and level ground. A warehouse, job site, or other property owner can be sued under Florida premises liability law if dangerous or unsafe conditions on their land played a role in causing a forklift accident.
Contact Our Miami Forklift Accident Lawyers Today
Damages in forklift accident cases are often substantial. For instance, the Miami forklift accident lawyers at Pita Weber Del Prado obtained a $5.5 million settlement in 2020 on behalf of a security guard injured when a warehouse employee drove a forklift over his foot. By pursuing a personal injury claim against a third party (i.e., someone other than the victim’s employer) we were able to ensure that he received economic and non-economic damages far beyond what was available through workers’ compensation.
So if you are in a similar situation and need legal representation from a qualified Miami forklift accident attorney, contact Pita Weber Del Prado today at 305-670-2889 to schedule a free consultation.
