Forklift truck accident claims

If you have been injured in a forklift truck accident at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries and related financial losses

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Forklift Injury Claims

If you were injured in a forklift accident due to a lack of safety measures or other types of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation by making a forklift injury claim.

Forklift accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from bruising and lacerations to life-changing crush injuries, fractures, and spinal damage. Employers have a legal duty to carefully assess the risks associated with forklifts and take all reasonable measures to prevent workplace accidents.

Work accident solicitors have extensive experience handling such cases and will work closely with you to help you pursue compensation.

To find out if you are entitled to compensation for a forklift accident, call 0800 470 0474 today or arrange a call back for a free consultation with a legal adviser. If your case has merit, they will offer you a no win no fee service, so you only pay a fee if your claim is successful.

Key points about forklift injury claims

Can I claim?
You may be able to claim if you were injured by a forklift due to poor training, unsafe systems, or lack of supervision.
Who is liable?
Employers are usually responsible for providing a safe work environment, including proper forklift training and operation procedures.
Is there a time limit?
Yes, you must usually start your claim within 3 years of the accident.
What can I claim for?
Compensation may cover your injuries, lost earnings, treatment, and any long-term impact.
Will I receive a no win, no fee service?
Yes, your solicitor will handle your case on a no win, no fee basis. If they don’t win your claim, you won’t pay a solicitor’s fee.

If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

What is a forklift injury compensation claim?

A forklift injury claim is a type of personal injury claim made by someone who has been injured in an accident involving a forklift. This will typically be an employee who has been injured at work or a member of the public.

Workplace accident claims involving forklifts most often arise from workplaces such as warehouses, retail stores, and construction sites, where forklifts are regularly used to transport goods and materials.

According to the British Safety Council, there are approximately 1,300 forklift-related accidents each year in the UK. The most at risk of severe injury are often pedestrians and nearby workers rather than the forklift operators themselves.

Can I make a claim following a forklift truck accident?

Yes. If you have been involved in a forklift truck accident that wasn’t your fault within the last three years, and you sustained an injury as a result, you may be entitled to claim forklift injury compensation.

A free consultation with a legal adviser can let you know in as little as 10 minutes whether your case has merit by verifying whether:

Another party was responsible for your forklift accident.
The other party owed you a legal duty of care.
You sustained an injury or injuries as a direct result.
Your accident happened within the last three years.

If your claim is accepted, you will be paired with an experienced forklift injury solicitor who will handle your case on a no win no fee basis and work to secure the maximum compensation possible.

Who is responsible for a forklift truck accident at work?

Employers are typically held responsible for forklift truck injury claims if they failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent a forklift accident at work. Their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 include:

Ensure that forklift operators are adequately trained.
Keep the workplace environment safe and adequately designed for the use of forklifts.
Provide safe access for pedestrians where forklifts are in use.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for those who work near forklifts.
Regularly inspect and maintain forklifts and other machinery.
Limit the speed at which forklift trucks can be operated.
Ensure clear signage and communication protocols for safe forklift use.

In other cases, the liable party may be a forklift manufacturer, the forklift driver, or a property owner, if you were injured as a visitor in a shop.

Can I still claim for a forklift accident if I was partly at fault?

Yes, you may still be able to claim compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident. This is known as contributory negligence and means that the compensation award you receive may be reduced to reflect your level of responsibility for your injuries.

Is there a time limit to make a forklift accident claim?

In the UK, the time limit for starting a claim is usually 3 years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions:

If you were under 18 years old at the time of the accident, the three-year time limit starts on the date of your 18th birthday, giving you until you turn 21 to make a claim.
If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to handle their case, a litigation friend could claim on their behalf at any point. The three-year time limit only begins if they regain their mental capacity.
With fatal accident claims, a family member could usually claim forklift truck injury compensation within three years of the death of their loved one.

Speaking with a legal adviser can quickly determine whether you have a valid forklift accident claim and ensure that you meet the deadline for starting legal proceedings.

How do I make a forklift truck injury claim?

If you were injured in a forklift truck accident that wasn’t your fault, making a personal injury claim typically involves the following steps:

1. A free case assessment

A personal injury solicitor will offer you a free consultation to discuss your case and your entitlement to compensation. If you can proceed, they will identify the liable party and help you gather evidence to start your forklift accident claim.

2. Collecting evidence

Your solicitor will gather evidence to prove the defendant’s negligence, the injuries you suffered and their impact on your life. This will often include medical records, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and proof of related expenses.

3. Medical assessment

Your solicitor will arrange a free assessment of your injuries by an independent medical expert. They will confirm their severity, cause, and long-term impact on your life.

4. Submitting and negotiating the claim

Once you have all the evidence, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant. This will outline your allegations of negligence, the injuries you suffered and the compensation you seek. If they admit liability, you can negotiate a settlement.

5. Court proceedings

Most claims for a forklift truck accident are settled out of court between the two parties. However, if liability is denied or negotiations fail, your solicitor will be prepared to issue court proceedings and argue your claim before a judge.

6. Receiving your compensation

If your claim is successful, you will receive your compensation, usually as a lump sum payment.

How much compensation can I claim for a forklift accident?

The compensation awarded as a result of a forklift accident will depend on the following elements:

General damages – this is an award of compensation for the injury or injuries you have suffered and the impact that these have had on your life, such as:

Physical pain and suffering.
Mental and psychological distress.
Scarring and disfigurement.
Loss of amenities and quality of life.

Special damages – this is compensation awarded for any financial losses you have suffered as a result of your accident, such as:

Medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Travel expenses to and from medical appointments.
The cost of care or assistance while you recover.
Adaptations to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability.

Examples of compensation awards following an accident with a forklift

Below are some examples of forklift accident compensation payouts you could receive for some common injuries according to the Judicial College guidelines:

Injury Type	Compensation Payment
Severe knee injuries leading to some degree of disability	£26,190 to £96,210
Leg fractures or severe soft tissue damage	Up to £27,760
Shoulder injuries with restricted grip and movement	Up to £23,430
Back injuries of varying severities	Up to £160,980
Severe injuries to the hips and pelvis	£61,910 to £111,690
Arm injuries, with the upper bracket awarded for the amputation of both arms	Up to £300,000
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by a forklift accident	£3,950 to £122,850

To find out more about how much you could receive in a forklift accident claim, you can refer to our compensation calculator. Alternatively, you can arrange a free case assessment by calling 0800 470 0474 or filling in our online claim form to receive a call back.

Can I make a forklift truck accident claim using a No Win No Fee service?

Yes. If you have a valid forklift truck accident compensation claim, the solicitors we work with will offer you their expert advice and experience on a no win no fee basis. This means that:

You do not need to make any financial outlay before winning your case.
Your solicitors will only receive a success fee if they win your forklift accident compensation claim.
If they fail to win your claim, you will not have to pay their fee.

Conditional fee agreements level the playing field by providing access to justice for people who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation. The success fee awarded to your solicitor is capped at 25% of your settlement.

Common types of forklift truck accidents

There are various types of forklift truck accidents at work, including:

Tipping over

The most common causes of forklift tip-overs include overloading, driving too fast around corners or driving on slopes that are too steep. A forklift overturning could crush or cause injury to anybody nearby, as well as the driver.

Falling objects

Forklift operators and nearby workers can be at risk of serious injury from falling objects. Items could fall due to incorrectly balanced loads, being knocked from shelving or being transported over uneven surfaces.

Pedestrian accidents

Approximately two-thirds of injuries caused by forklift truck accidents affect nearby people other than those who drive a forklift. Lack of pedestrian segregation, faulty signal alarms, and careless operators can all lead to forklift accidents involving pedestrians.

Collisions

Colliding into other vehicles, shelving, walls, and pedestrians can all cause severe injuries and even fatalities. These accidents can be due to a lack of training, driver error, poor safety procedures and faulty machinery.

Driver ejection

These accidents usually occur in stand-up forklift trucks, where the driver lacks armrests or seatbelts for protection. These kinds of forklift trucks must be equipped with safety features, such as an operator compartment door, to ensure safety when the vehicle is in motion.

These and other types of accidents can cause a broad spectrum of potentially life-changing injuries to operators and other workers around them. If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a lack of proper safety measures in the workplace, you might be eligible to start a forklift truck accident claim.

What type of injuries can I claim compensation for following a forklift accident?

You may be able to claim compensation for a wide range of injuries that resulted from a forklift truck accident, including:

Broken bone injuries in the arms, legs, ribs, spine, pelvis, and skull.
Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, caused by collisions, overturning or falling loads.
Spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or complete paralysis, difficulty breathing, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Laceration injuries caused by falls from a forklift or by being struck by falling objects.
Burn injuries from coming into contact with hazardous chemicals or substances.
Amputation of limbs caused by crushing injuries, severe burns or fractures.
Psychological injuries, such as anxiety, depression and PTSD.

It is important to note that the severity of your injury will impact the amount of compensation you may be entitled to. The experienced solicitors we work with can help you assess the value of your forklift accident claim and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

What evidence will I need to make a forklift accident claim?

To make a forklift accident claim, you and your injury solicitor will need to gather as much evidence as possible to support your case. Here are some types of evidence that may be helpful:

Medical records – Documents that detail your injuries, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis will help demonstrate the severity and extent of your pain and suffering.
Accident report – You should promptly file an accident report with your employer that will detail what happened, when it happened, who was involved, and what injuries were sustained.
Witness statements – Statements from colleagues or bystanders can provide additional information about the incident and help support your claim.
Photographs or videos – Take photographs or videos of the scene of the accident, the forklift involved, and any injuries you sustained to help assess liability and damages.
Expert opinions – In some cases, expert evidence may be needed, such as an engineer’s report to determine whether the forklift was properly maintained.
Training records – This will show if a lack of training or instructions has contributed to your forklift injury at work.
Financial evidence – Keep all the receipts and other documents related to your financial losses so your solicitor can accurately calculate how much compensation you are entitled to.

Can my employer sack me for making a forklift injury claim?

If your employer breached their duty of care towards you and you suffered a forklift injury, you have the legal right to make an accident at work claim.

Your employer should not dismiss you or treat you unfairly because you made a claim against them. If you are dismissed on these grounds, you may have grounds for a further claim in an Employment Tribunal.

To start a forklift accident claim, or learn more about the claims process, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free consultation with a legal adviser. Alternatively, use the contact form below if you would prefer to have a legal adviser give you a call.

Last edited on 16th Apr 2026

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.