Forklift Accident Attorneys in Reading, PA
Wrongful Injury Representation for Berks County Workers & Families
When a forklift accident leaves you or someone you love seriously hurt, the legal path forward isn’t simple. Workers’ compensation, third-party liability, and evidence preservation all demand attention at once. Liever, Hyman & Potter has represented wrongful injury victims in Reading since 1959, making us the longest-established motor vehicle injury law firm in Reading, PA. Our four attorneys handle wrongful injury and death claims and nothing else. No real estate closings, no business contracts. Virtually all of our combined 115-plus years of practice has gone to people hurt through no fault of their own.
If you were injured in a forklift accident in the Reading area, call us at (610) 885-1991 for a free consultation. We advance all case expenses and charge no fees of any kind until we recover money for you.
How Forklift Accidents Happen & Who May Be Liable
OSHA classifies forklifts as powered industrial trucks (PITs) and estimates that roughly 85 fatalities and 34,900 serious injuries occur in U.S. workplaces each year involving this equipment. Berks County’s warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution industries rely on forklifts daily, making these accidents a recurring hazard in this region.
Liability depends on what caused the accident. Common contributing factors include:
- Operator error: distraction, excessive speed, or inadequate training
- Overloaded or improperly stacked loads
- Absent or defective Roll Over Protection Systems (ROPS)
- Missing Falling Object Protection Systems (FOPS)
- Failure to observe pedestrian walkways or warning zones
- Driving with an elevated load
- Poorly maintained equipment or missing automatic warning devices
- Unsafe site conditions controlled by a property owner
OSHA requires employers to train and evaluate every forklift operator. Violations of those standards can serve as evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim. Approximately 42% of forklift-related fatalities involve an operator crushed by a tipping vehicle, but bystanders, delivery workers, and visitors on a worksite can be injured as well and may have independent claims.
Forklift Injuries: From Serious to Catastrophic
The forces involved in forklift accidents can cause fractures, crush injuries, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, amputations, internal organ damage, and death. Many victims face extended recovery periods, permanent physical limitations, and long-term rehabilitation costs that far exceed what workers’ compensation covers. That gap is where a third-party claim can make a substantial difference.
Your Legal Options After a Forklift Accident in Pennsylvania
Most injured workers qualify for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault. Pennsylvania law generally entitles you to medical expense coverage and partial wage replacement, typically about two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a statewide maximum. Workers’ compensation usually prevents a direct lawsuit against your employer, but it doesn’t bar claims against other parties who contributed to the accident.
A third-party personal injury claim may be available when responsibility extends beyond your employer. Responsible parties can include:
- Forklift manufacturers when a defective design, absent ROPS, or missing safety system contributed to the accident (product liability)
- Property owners when unsafe site conditions caused or worsened the injury (premises liability)
- Contractors or subcontractors whose employees were involved in the incident
Unlike workers’ compensation, a successful third-party claim can include compensation for pain and suffering and full lost income. When a forklift accident is fatal, workers’ compensation death benefits may be available to dependents, and a wrongful death claim against a third party may provide additional recovery beyond those benefits.
Report your injury to your employer promptly. Pennsylvania law requires notice within 120 days of a workplace injury to preserve workers’ compensation eligibility. That deadline and the two-year civil statute of limitations under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 can run at the same time.
Protecting Your Claim from Day One
Surveillance footage, incident reports, witness accounts, and equipment maintenance records can disappear within days of an accident. Seek medical attention immediately so your injuries are documented from the date they occurred. Don’t sign documents or settle with an employer’s insurer before speaking with an attorney. Early settlements may waive rights to additional compensation you may not yet know you’re owed.
The two-year personal injury statute of limitations under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 means that missing a deadline can bar recovery entirely. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we carefully review each case before advising you on your options. The free consultation is where that process starts.
Why Accidnet Victims in Reading Choose Liever, Hyman & Potter
In a recent three-year period, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar outcomes. Since 1959, we’ve won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families, more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area. Published results include a $3.5 million trucking crash settlement and a $6.5 million settlement for a client who suffered a brain bleed resulting in hemiplegia.
Lead attorney John R. Badal has devoted his entire legal career to representing wrongful injury victims. Admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991, he holds national recognition as a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, memberships tied to documented results at those thresholds. He has served as Chairman of the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association.
Within the legal community, our firm is known as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers.” A significant share of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members who know our record. Cases are assigned to a Civil Trial attorney qualified to handle them.
Start with a Free Consultation
You pay nothing out of pocket and nothing in fees until we recover money for you. That commitment applies to every client and every case, including the expenses we advance on your behalf during litigation. If you or a family member was injured in a forklift accident in Reading or the surrounding area, contact Liever, Hyman & Potter today.
Call (610) 885-1991 to speak with our team at no cost.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.