Most Common Forklift Injury Types in the Workplace

Forklift accidents don’t just happen—they hit hard. When you’re struck by several thousand pounds of steel or crushed under a falling load, the injuries can change your life in a second. Below, Orange County forklift accident lawyers at Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates go over the most common and serious types of injuries people suffer in forklift-related incidents across California worksites. Some require months of recovery. Others cause lifelong disability—or worse.

Crush Injuries to the Foot and Ankle

If a forklift runs over your foot, the damage can be severe. Many victims suffer shattered forefoot or midfoot bones, deep tissue trauma, or even compartment syndrome—an emergency that can cut off blood flow. These injuries often require multiple surgeries, long hospital stays, and time away from work. Even after recovery, chronic pain or limited movement in the foot or ankle may remain.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Permanent Damage

Tip-overs, falls from elevated forks, or being pinned by a forklift can cause major trauma to your spine. If the spinal cord is compressed or severed, it could result in partial or complete paralysis. Some people lose function in their legs (paraplegia) or all four limbs (quadriplegia), and others suffer disc herniations or fractured vertebrae that affect balance, coordination, and control over their body. These are devastating outcomes that often require lifelong care.

Head Injuries and Brain Trauma

Falling cargo, dock accidents, and forklift rollovers can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A direct hit to the head can cause concussions, skull fractures, internal bleeding, or swelling in the brain. Symptoms might not show up right away, but long-term effects include memory loss, migraines, personality changes, or cognitive impairment. In fatal cases, head trauma is often to blame.

Crushing Injuries to the Chest or Trunk

If you’re pinned between a forklift and a wall or another piece of equipment, your chest and abdomen are at serious risk. Blunt force trauma can break ribs, damage the lungs, rupture internal organs like the liver or spleen, or tear major blood vessels. These injuries can be fatal within minutes if not treated urgently. Survivors often deal with internal scarring or breathing issues for years.

Broken Bones and Multiple Fractures

Forklift accidents frequently lead to complex fractures, especially in the legs, arms, hips, and pelvis. Victims may need surgery to install pins, rods, or plates—and months of rehab to rebuild strength. These injuries are painful and can prevent you from working or handling everyday activities. In some cases, the bones never heal correctly, leaving lasting impairment.

Pelvic and Lower Body Injuries

When someone is struck or thrown from a forklift, the lower body takes the brunt of the impact. The pelvis can fracture in multiple places, which may affect bladder or bowel function and make walking extremely difficult. Damage to the hips, knees, or femur bones can also lead to permanent limps, arthritis, or a need for assistive devices like canes or walkers.

Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage

Some injuries from forklift impacts aren’t visible on the outside. Blunt trauma to the abdomen or back can cause internal bleeding or organ rupture. You may not notice the symptoms—like dizziness, nausea, or weakness—until the damage becomes life-threatening. Emergency surgery is often needed, and even then, long-term complications are possible.

Degloving and Soft Tissue Trauma

In more gruesome accidents, victims suffer “degloving” injuries—where skin and muscle are ripped off due to being dragged, crushed, or pinned. This type of soft tissue injury may result in permanent disfigurement, infection, and a high risk of limb amputation. Skin grafts and reconstruction surgeries are often required.

Amputations and Loss of Limbs

Forklift wheels, moving parts, and crushing force can sever limbs or damage them so badly they need to be amputated. Victims commonly lose fingers, feet, or legs. Beyond the physical pain and surgical risks, amputations affect your entire lifestyle—limiting work options, mobility, and independence.

Death from Traumatic Injuries

Sadly, some forklift accidents are fatal. A person can be killed instantly by a tip-over, fall, or crushing force. Families are left grieving while facing funeral expenses, lost income, and overwhelming emotional stress.

Contact Orange County Forklift Accident Lawyer Samer Habbas

If you’ve been injured in a forklift accident—or lost a loved one— you shouldn’t be left to handle the consequences alone. At Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates, we know how to handle serious worksite injuries and pursue every available path to compensation. Whether your forklift injury case falls under workers’ comp or involves negligence by a third party, we’ll fight to recover the full damages you’re entitled to—medical costs, lost wages, and more. Let our Orange County forklift accident lawyers help you understand your options and move forward with confidence. Contact Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates at 949-727-9300 or reach out online for a free consultation.