Long Island Forklift Accident Attorney
Over 20 Years Representing Injured Workers & Bystanders in Nassau & Suffolk Counties
Forklift accidents don’t just injure the person operating the machine. Coworkers, bystanders, and anyone sharing a warehouse floor, construction site, or industrial facility can be struck, pinned, or buried under a falling load. At The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C., we represent people seriously injured in forklift accidents throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, bringing more than 20 years of personal injury experience to every case we take on.
What makes these cases complex is liability. A single accident often involves an employer, an equipment owner, a maintenance contractor, and a site general contractor, each with separate legal obligations. We build every case in-house rather than farming it out, so we can trace responsibility through that entire chain rather than processing a single claim and moving on.
If you or someone you know was injured in a forklift accident on Long Island, call us at (800) 242-3740 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Forklift Accidents
Understanding how an accident happened matters when identifying who can be held responsible. Forklift accidents typically fall into a few recognizable patterns, and each pattern points toward a different set of potential defendants.
- Rollovers and tip-overs: Overloaded or imbalanced loads, sharp turns, and uneven surfaces cause forklifts to tip. These are among the deadliest accidents a warehouse or job site can produce.
- Struck-by incidents: Poor visibility, backing without a spotter, and absent traffic control protocols allow forklifts to hit pedestrians and coworkers with little or no warning.
- Falling loads: Improperly secured or unbalanced materials can drop onto workers below, often without any mechanical failure at all.
- Inadequate maintenance or training: Equipment left in poor repair and operators who were never properly certified are frequently identified as contributing causes in OSHA investigations.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
New York law generally prevents an injured worker from suing their own employer directly for a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation is typically the exclusive remedy against the employer. But workers’ compensation and a third-party personal injury lawsuit aren’t mutually exclusive. An injured worker may be able to pursue both for the same forklift accident.
Third-party claims can reach the equipment manufacturer if a defect contributed to the accident, the company that last serviced or maintained the forklift, the property owner where the accident occurred, and a general contractor or another contractor on a multi-employer site. On construction sites specifically, New York Labor Law Sections place safety duties on property owners and general contractors. When an unsafe condition or a code violation contributed to the accident, those sections can support a claim alongside workers’ compensation. We help injured workers and bystanders throughout Long Island identify every party whose negligence contributed and pursue claims against each of them.
Injuries Associated With Forklift Accidents
A forklift can weigh 9,000 pounds or more before a load is even attached. The injuries reflect that mass. Crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, and amputations all appear regularly in these cases. Many require surgery, extended rehabilitation, and months away from work. That kind of toll supports a thorough claim, not a quick settlement that closes out future medical costs before the full picture is known.
Deadlines You Need to Track After a Long Island Forklift Accident
Two separate timelines run simultaneously after a forklift accident, and missing either one can close off a path to recovery. For workers’ compensation, New York generally requires notifying your employer within 30 days of the accident. The formal claim, filed on Form C-3 with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, generally must be submitted within two years of the accident date.
The deadline for a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party is generally three years from the accident date under New York law. That window shortens significantly when a municipality or government entity is involved, sometimes to as little as 90 days for the initial notice of claim. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more options may remain open.
How We Handle Forklift Accident Cases on Long Island
Multi-party liability cases require a different level of preparation than a straightforward single-defendant claim. We investigate the equipment history, review OSHA records, identify all contractors present at the site, and assess New York Labor Law applicability before determining the full scope of a claim. That work happens in-house. Gregory Goodman personally manages each case and stays directly accessible to clients rather than routing communication through paralegals or outside staff.
Every case we take is prepared as though it will go to a jury. That posture matters in negotiations: insurance carriers and defense attorneys know when a firm is ready to try a case and when it isn’t. We’re familiar with Nassau County and Suffolk County court procedures from handling personal injury cases in both jurisdictions, and we bring that familiarity to every claim we represent.
Our Satisfied Clients
We genuinely care about our clients and will do everything we can to ensure their satisfaction
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“Gregory handled a Consumer Credit dispute for me within weeks!”
Gregory handled a Consumer Credit dispute for me within weeks! He's very efficient, responsive, and professional. I would definitely recommend him for helping you resolve your consumer credit disputes!- Bee. G -
“They keep in contact with you by letting you know everything that's going on with your case.”
“This firm was on point they keep in contact with you by letting you know everything that's going on with your case. I'm happy to have them represent me anytime. Thank you guys.- Shirvon G.
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“I highly recommend Mr. Goodman.”
I endorse this lawyer. Gregory A. Goodman is an excellent trial attorney and is very well researched in what he does. Mr. Goodman will never come to a trial or a motion conference unless he is fully prepared and knows everything that is going on with the file. He is a fierce advocate and is excellent at what he does. I highly recommend Mr. Goodman.- Jason T. -
“Goodman is a person of human quality, responsible and honest. I recommend it.”
You who are reading, will be in good hands. Goodman is a person of human quality, responsible and honest. I recommend it.- Melissa F. -
“Gregory Goodman is very professional and consistent.”
Gregory Goodman is very professional and consistent, he provides in detail all options and is very thorough with his work, I highly recommend. He helped with a situation a few months ago and since then all has been very well! Thank you Gregory Goodman!- Davin S. -
“Best money I ever spent!”
Excellent lawyer! I live out of state and needed a lawyer in NY I could trust. He made no promises, always upfront about the possible outcomes. He always worked very hard to get me the results I needed. He came through every time! He understood my financial circumstances and worked with me so I could hire him within my budget. Best money I ever spent! He’s honest and trustworthy, and I’m grateful for his help in more than one legal matter. I can’t say enough great things about Greg.- Ted R. -
“Mr Gregory was very pleasant, helpful & considerate.”
Mr Gregory was very pleasant, helpful & considerate. I would highly recommend him.- Ruth B. -
“Very professional”
Very professional, very respectful and kind, and got the job done for me.- Barwhale G.
