Waco Forklift Accident Attorney

Legal Help After A Serious Forklift Injury

Forklift accidents can change your life in seconds. One moment you are doing your job, and the next you may be facing severe pain, time away from work, and questions about how you will support your family. If this happened to you in the Waco area, you do not have to face the aftermath on your own.

At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we represent injured workers and families after serious forklift and industrial incidents. Our attorneys pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, and the long-term impact of a preventable workplace injury. We operate on a contingency-fee basis, so you do not pay legal fees unless there is a favorable outcome in your case.

Our record in catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters includes multimillion-dollar results, and our firm is led by Vic Feazell, whose history of standing up to powerful institutions is known across Texas.

Contact us today at (254) 938-6885 to schedule a free consultation.

What Is a Forklift Accident?

A forklift accident is any incident involving a powered industrial truck—commonly known as a forklift—that results in injury or death. These accidents frequently occur in workplaces such as warehouses, loading docks, manufacturing plants, retail stockrooms, and construction sites.

Forklift accidents can involve operators, nearby workers, pedestrians, or even bystanders. Because forklifts are heavy, top-heavy, and often operate in tight spaces, even a brief lapse in attention or a mechanical failure can cause catastrophic harm.

Common injuries from forklift accidents include crushed limbs, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and fatal injuries. In many cases, these accidents are entirely preventable.

Common Types of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents take many forms, each presenting unique safety and legal issues. Some of the most common types of forklift accidents seen in Waco workplaces include:

• Forklift tip-overs: Forklifts can overturn due to uneven surfaces, sharp turns, overloaded forks, or elevated loads. Tip-overs are among the deadliest forklift accidents.
• Pedestrian strikes: Workers on foot may be struck or pinned by a moving forklift, especially in crowded warehouses or loading areas.
• Falling loads: Improperly secured or overloaded materials can fall from forks, crushing workers below.
• Crushing or pinning accidents: Workers may be pinned between a forklift and a wall, rack, or other equipment.
• Falls from forklifts: Operators or passengers (where passengers are not permitted) may fall from elevated forks or platforms.
• Mechanical failures: Brake failures, steering issues, or hydraulic malfunctions can cause sudden and uncontrollable movements.

Common Causes of Forklift Accidents

Forklift accidents rarely happen without warning. In many cases, they stem from negligence, unsafe practices, or violations of safety regulations. Common causes include:

• Lack of proper training: Forklift operators must be properly trained and certified. Inadequate training is a leading cause of serious accidents.
• Unsafe workplace conditions: Poor lighting, cluttered aisles, uneven flooring, or narrow pathways increase accident risks.
• Speeding or reckless operation: Operating forklifts too fast or making sharp turns can easily cause tip-overs.
• Overloading the forklift: Exceeding weight limits or lifting unbalanced loads compromises stability.
• Defective equipment: Faulty brakes, worn tires, or malfunctioning warning systems can lead to catastrophic failures.
• Lack of maintenance: Employers who fail to inspect and maintain forklifts may be liable for resulting injuries.
• Improper supervision: Failing to enforce safety protocols or allowing unqualified workers to operate forklifts puts everyone at risk.

Our Waco forklift accident attorney can investigate the root cause of the accident and identify all responsible parties.

Workers’ Compensation & Third-Party Claims

Forklift accidents often raise questions about what type of claim an injured worker can pursue. In Texas, the answer depends on several factors.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you may be entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident. Workers’ compensation benefits typically cover:

• Medical treatment
• A portion of lost wages
• Disability benefits

However, workers’ compensation generally does not cover pain and suffering or full lost wages.

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

In many forklift accident cases, someone other than the employer may be responsible. This opens the door to a third-party claim, which can provide significantly greater compensation. Potential third parties include:

• Forklift manufacturers or designers
• Maintenance or repair companies
• Property owners
• Contractors or subcontractors
• Equipment rental companies

A third-party claim allows injured workers to pursue damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, full lost wages, and future earning capacity.

At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we carefully analyze whether a third-party claim is available in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.

Forklift Accident FAQs

Do I have a claim if the accident was partly my fault?

Yes. Workers’ compensation benefits are typically available regardless of fault. Third-party claims may still be possible depending on the circumstances.

What if my employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance?

Texas allows some employers to opt out of workers’ compensation. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be able to file a direct injury lawsuit against them.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Strict deadlines apply to both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits. Speaking with a Waco forklift accident attorney as soon as possible helps protect your rights.

What compensation can I recover?

Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, disability benefits, pain and suffering, and future medical costs, depending on the type of claim.

Why Injured Workers Choose Our Firm

After a forklift accident, you may feel outmatched by your employer, its insurance company, or an equipment manufacturer. Our firm is built to stand up in these situations. Vic Feazell gained national attention for exposing the truth in the Henry Lee Lucas case and for securing a Guinness World Record libel judgment. That background reflects a willingness to challenge powerful organizations and push for accountability.

We bring that same mindset to serious workplace injury claims. Our past results in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases show that we know how to prepare serious matters and pursue meaningful recoveries. Every case is different, and no result can be guaranteed, but our history gives clients confidence that we understand what it takes when the stakes are high.

Inside our firm, we rely on a proprietary framework called The Vic Feazell Method. This system guides how we investigate incidents, analyze safety rules, review records, and prepare each claim. Our goal is to assemble the facts thoroughly so that when it is time to present a demand or argue in court, we are ready with a clear, well-supported story about what happened and why it should have been prevented.

Clients also choose us for how we treat them. We manage the burden of negotiations with insurers, medical providers, and opposing counsel so injured people do not have to juggle complex phone calls and paperwork while they heal. Our team stays in regular contact, explains timelines, returns calls quickly, and makes ourselves available when questions come up. When you work with our forklift accident lawyer Waco team, you can expect professionalism, courtesy, and respect throughout the process.

Call (254) 938-6885 to speak with our team today.