St. Louis Forklift Accident Attorney

Fighting For Forklift Accident Victims in Missouri

Forklifts move thousands of pounds in crowded warehouses, factories, and job sites every day. When something goes wrong, the result can be life-changing for the person who is struck, crushed, or knocked from a platform. If you were hurt in a forklift accident in St. Louis, you may be facing painful injuries, time away from work, and a lot of questions about what to do next.

At Meyerkord Law Group, LC, we help injured people and families navigate some of the hardest days of their lives. Our family-led personal injury firm is based in Chesterfield and serves the entire St. Louis region, Missouri, Illinois, and beyond. We bring decades of combined experience, millions recovered for clients, and a simple promise to every case we accept. Your Injury. Our Priority.®

Call us today at (314) 500-6000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our forklift accident attorney in St. Louis.

Why Choose Us?

Choosing a lawyer after a serious work injury is about more than finding a name online. You want a team that will actually know you, return your calls, and take your case as seriously as you do. That is how we have built Meyerkord Law Group, LC. Our firm is family owned and operated, with multiple members of the Meyerkord family working side by side. That family-first mindset extends to every person we represent.

As a boutique personal injury practice, we are selective about the cases we take. When we agree to handle a forklift injury or death claim, we commit our full attention and resources. You are not passed from one case manager to another. Our attorneys stay closely involved, answer questions, and walk you through each decision so you always know where you stand.

We are also known for being trial-ready. Over the years, our attorneys have won a majority of the trials we have taken, which gives us real leverage when we push back against low or unfair settlement offers. Insurers and corporate defendants pay attention when they know a firm will take a case to court if that is what it takes to pursue a fair result. Combined with millions of dollars recovered for injury victims and families, this track record means we are prepared to stand up to the companies behind many forklift accidents.

What To Do After a Forklift Accident

In the moments and days after a forklift accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. Taking a few key steps can help protect your health and your legal rights. Every situation is different, but there are some general guidelines that are often helpful.

Get Medical Care Right Away

First, get medical attention as soon as you can. Some serious injuries, including internal bleeding and head trauma, are not always obvious right away. Seeing a doctor promptly helps protect your health and creates a medical record that documents what happened and how you were hurt. If emergency responders recommend transport to a hospital, it is usually wise to follow that advice.

Report The Incident

Next, report the incident according to your workplace procedures. This often means notifying a supervisor or safety manager and completing an incident report. If you are able, ask for a copy of any written report or note that was taken of the information. Sticking to the facts is important. You do not need to guess about causes or blame in the moment.

Preserve Evidence When Possible

If it is safe, try to preserve evidence. Photos of the forklift, the surrounding area, your injuries, and anything unusual about the scene can all be helpful later. If coworkers saw what happened, ask for their names and contact information in case statements are needed in the future.

Be Careful With Insurance & Company Contacts

It is also important to be careful about what you say to insurance adjusters, risk managers, or company representatives. They may ask for recorded statements or push you to sign forms quickly. These conversations can affect your rights.

Before giving detailed statements or signing documents, consider taking these precautions:

• Limit discussions to basic facts about the incident until you understand your rights.
• Avoid guessing about causes or accepting blame.
• Do not feel pressured to sign documents you have not had time to review.

How We Can Assist You

When you reach out to us after a forklift injury, our first priority is to listen. We want to understand where the accident happened, how you were hurt, and what challenges you are facing right now. From there, we begin a careful review of the facts so we can determine the best path forward for you and your family.

Investigating The Accident

Our attorneys work to gather and review key evidence, which may include company safety policies, training materials, maintenance and inspection records, and prior incident reports involving forklifts or other equipment. We look at how the workplace is arranged with aisles, loading docks, and pedestrian pathways. We also examine whether there were known hazards that were ignored or warnings that went unheeded.

Identifying All Potential Sources Of Compensation

Identifying all potential sources of compensation is another critical step. Many forklift incidents happen in workplaces, so workers’ compensation may be involved. In some cases, there may also be claims against third parties, such as general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, or companies responsible for servicing or supplying the forklift or its attachments. Our goal is to understand exactly who played a role in creating unsafe conditions and how those choices led to your injuries.

Preparing Cases For Negotiation Or Trial

Preparation is at the core of our approach. We believe most of a case is won long before anyone steps into a courtroom. That is why we invest time into developing clear, detailed strategies, working with appropriate experts, and even testing themes with focus groups when a case merits it. This level of preparation helps us negotiate from a position of strength and, when necessary, present a compelling case at trial.

Who May Be Responsible for a Forklift Injury

Many people assume that a forklift accident at work is only a workers’ compensation issue. While workers’ compensation can be an important source of benefits, it is not always the only avenue for recovery. Depending on how and where the incident occurred, other parties may also bear responsibility.

In some cases, a general contractor or subcontractor can create unsafe conditions on a construction site or industrial project. For example, if a company forces rushed schedules, ignores basic safety rules, or fails to coordinate traffic patterns between equipment and pedestrians, that conduct may contribute to a serious injury. Property owners who control a warehouse or plant may also have obligations related to layout, lighting, and hazard correction.

Defective design or manufacturing issues can also play a role. If a forklift or an attachment fails unexpectedly, or if important safety features are missing or do not work correctly, there may be a claim against the manufacturer or distributor of that product. Likewise, if a service company neglects essential maintenance or repairs, and that neglect contributes to the accident, it may be another potential defendant.

Sometimes, another worker or outside vendor operating equipment nearby may cause or contribute to a collision. Even drivers making deliveries within a facility can be involved in serious incidents. The specific parties involved will depend on the facts of your case, the contracts in place, and who had control over different parts of the worksite.

Common Forklift Accident Injuries & Compensation

Forklift incidents are often violent events. The human body is not built to withstand the force of several thousand pounds of metal or cargo. As a result, people hurt in these accidents frequently suffer serious and sometimes permanent injuries.

Common injuries include crush injuries to the legs, feet, or torso, multiple fractures, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Some workers face amputations or severe soft tissue injuries that limit strength and range of motion. Many also experience significant neck and back injuries, which can require ongoing therapy or pain management.

These injuries can affect every part of life. You may need surgery, lengthy hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation. Returning to your old job may not be possible, or you may only be able to work in a reduced capacity. Simple daily activities like lifting a child, climbing stairs, or driving may become difficult or impossible.

Depending on the facts of the case and the type of claims available, compensation may address medical bills, future treatment needs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the physical and emotional impact of the injury. In fatal cases, families may pursue wrongful death damages related to financial losses and the loss of a loved one’s support and companionship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer if my forklift accident is covered by workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation can be an important source of benefits, but it is not always the whole picture. A lawyer can evaluate whether you may also have claims against other parties, such as equipment manufacturers, contractors, or property owners, which workers’ compensation does not address. These third-party claims can sometimes provide additional forms of compensation that go beyond wage replacement and medical bills. Our attorneys review how the accident happened, who controlled the worksite, and what equipment was involved to identify all potential options. We then explain those options so you can decide how you want to proceed.

Can I lose my job for talking to a forklift accident attorney?

Simply consulting with an attorney is not a valid reason for an employer to fire you, and many workers are protected by laws that discourage retaliation for reporting injuries or asserting workplace rights. That said, every workplace is different, and concerns about job security are very real for injured workers. When you contact Meyerkord Law Group, LC, your consultation is confidential, and we will discuss your situation privately. We can talk with you about general protections available in Missouri and Illinois and help you think through how to balance your health, your claim, and your employment concerns. Our goal is to support you in making informed choices, not to put your job at risk.

How long will a forklift accident case take to resolve?

The length of a forklift accident case can vary widely. Factors that often influence timing include the severity of your injuries, how long it takes your doctors to understand your long-term prognosis, how many parties are involved, and how willing insurers are to negotiate in good faith. Some claims resolve through settlement before a lawsuit is filed, while others require filing and may go through discovery or even trial. Our attorneys strive to move cases forward efficiently while also making sure we understand the full impact of your injuries before you make permanent decisions. Throughout the process, we keep you updated and give you honest expectations about likely timeframes.

Contact Our Forklift Accident Attorney in St. Louis Today

A forklift accident can change your life in a moment, but you do not have to carry the burden on your own. If you were hurt in a workplace forklift incident in the St. Louis area or lost a loved one in this kind of accident, our team is ready to listen and help you understand your options.

At Meyerkord Law Group, LC, we offer free consultations and handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront attorney’s fees if we take your case. As a family-led firm that lives by the motto Your Injury. Our Priority.®, we work to pair compassionate support with thoroughly prepared, trial-ready advocacy.

We encourage you to reach out and speak directly with a forklift accident attorney St. Louis workers can rely on for honest guidance.

Contact us today to get started with our St. Louis forklift accident attorney.