Forklift Accident Attorney in Kirkland
$825,000 Recovered for a Forklift Accident Victim. We Know These Cases.
Forklift accidents produce some of the most severe workplace injuries we see: spinal fractures, crush injuries, traumatic brain injury, and amputation. These cases are legally complex because they involve overlapping frameworks including workers’ compensation, OSHA and WISHA standards, and third-party personal injury law. Handling them well requires attorneys who have actually worked through that complexity before.
We have. Rob Kornfeld litigated and settled a forklift accident case resulting in $825,000 for a sheet metal and HVAC worker who suffered spinal fractures and a spinal cord injury after being thrown from a forklift used as a man-lift in a warehouse operation. That’s the kind of claim we handle for injured workers in Kirkland, Bellevue, and Seattle.
If you or someone you care about was hurt in a forklift accident, call us at (425) 657-5255 for a free consultation. We can come to you if needed, including at your home or hospital room.
What Sets Lindquist & Kornfeld Apart on Forklift Injury Claims
Rob Kornfeld woke up in a hospital in July 1985 with severe injuries and no memory of what had happened. After 12 surgeries, he returned to practice. That experience shapes how he and our team approach every injured client: not as a file number, but as a person trying to get their life back. We’ve been representing injured workers in Washington State for more than 40 years.
Verified Case Experience
The $825,000 result Rob settled through mediation reflects direct, specific experience with this type of claim, not just general workplace injury work. We understand what a forklift accident investigation requires and what it takes to prove liability.
No Fees Unless We Recover
We work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t owe us attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultations are available by phone, at our office, at your home, or at the hospital.
Recognized Advocacy
Lindquist & Kornfeld holds memberships in both the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Neil Lindquist is recognized by Super Lawyers. These credentials reflect a track record built over decades of personal injury litigation in King County.
Talk to a Forklift Accident Attorney in Kirkland Today
Washington’s personal injury statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident under RCW 4.16.080, but exceptions can apply, and L&I claim deadlines are often shorter. Acting promptly can help protect your right to seek compensation and lets us preserve critical evidence, including maintenance records, operator training logs, and inspection records, before it’s gone.
Don’t give recorded statements or accept a quick settlement offer from an insurance company before speaking with us. Call Lindquist & Kornfeld at (425) 657-5255 or reach us through our online contact form.
Our Proven Results
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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$345,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client was walking on a side walk when they were hit by a car. They had shoulder surgery and a total knee replacement This is a good example as to why we need to have sufficient car insurance.
Car Accident -
$1,350,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
A young man in his 30’s was injured in a head-on car crash which resulted in discovery of Syringomyelia aka/Syrinx. The trauma from this collision lit up an underlying congenital condition which he did not know he had.
Brain Injury -
$750,000 Medical Malpractice
The Estate of Jane Doe v. Hospital: A retired patient went in for heart surgery and removal of an intra-aortic balloon pump from her femoral artery in her leg. After the IABP was removed, the client bled internally. The bleed was not timely diagnosed post-surgery and the patient bled to death.
Medical Malpractice -
$939,000 Dog Bite Injury
$939,000 Dog Bite Case Settlement. Fascial Injury.
Dog Bite Injury -
$450,000 Medical Malpractice
Jane Doe v. John Doe Entity: Mrs. Doe complained of a growth on her left breast which was read as benign. No biopsy was taken or suggested. Over the next year or two it continued to grow, but the patient was reassured it was nothing to worry about. Eventually the patient sought out a second opinion. The health care provider ordered a biopsy which was malignant. This diagnosis led to a mastectomy and stem cell transplant.
Medical Malpractice -
$22,763 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff was rear-ended and the Defendant was arrested for DUI. Plaintiff sustained a L5-S1 central disc protrusion and annular tear as well as neck and other back injuries and headaches. She has not fully recovered and continues to experience pain that is aggravated by day to day activities.
Car Accident -
$20,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff was side swiped by another car and hit on passenger side. He sustained neck, back and right elbow injuries.
Car Accident -
Confidential Settlement Medical Malpractice
John Doe v. John & Jane Doe, M.D.: John Doe’s below the knee amputation resulted from the failure of the health care provider to properly care for and treat a diabetic foot ulcer, which led to total contact casting. The health care provider negligently asked the patient to return in 2 weeks rather than 3-5 days to check the cast and the foot. The delay caused a loss of blood flow and circulation to his foot. Gangrene set in, making amputation necessary.
Medical Malpractice -
$650,000 Construction Accident
Construction laborer recovers $650,000 after fall from a scissor lift. Rob Kornfeld successfully litigated and mediated a settlement for an injured worker in Spokane County, Washington.
Construction Accident
Workers’ Compensation vs. a Third-Party Claim After a Kirkland Forklift Accident
In Washington, injured workers generally can’t sue their own employer directly for a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation through Labor and Industries (L&I) provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement without requiring proof of fault. But workers’ comp doesn’t cover everything, and it isn’t always the only option.
When a Third-Party Claim Is Available
When someone other than your employer or a co-worker caused or contributed to the accident, you may be able to file a separate third-party personal injury claim. Potentially responsible parties in a forklift accident can include another contractor on the site, a property owner, an equipment rental company, or a forklift manufacturer. The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), RCW chapter 49.17, also imposes a non-delegable duty on general contractors to enforce safety regulations for all workers on a construction site, including employees of subcontractors.
Third-party claims are fault-based and can allow recovery for damages workers’ comp doesn’t reach: pain and suffering, full lost wages, future earning capacity, and permanent disability. Washington follows a pure comparative fault standard, meaning you can recover even if you were partially at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
When L&I benefits have been paid, the agency has a statutory right to reimbursement from a third-party recovery under RCW 51.24. We help clients navigate that coordination to protect as much of the net recovery as possible. In Staub v. CIG Corporation, tried in King County Superior Court, we recovered a supplementary $335,000 third-party settlement for a construction worker whose employer failed to provide fall protection and who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result. That case illustrates how a third-party claim can meaningfully add to what workers’ comp alone provides.
Compensation We Pursue for Forklift Accident Victims
Through a third-party personal injury claim, we work to recover the full range of damages a forklift accident produces. We review insurance policies and coordinate with medical providers to document the complete impact of our clients’ injuries.
Economic damages can include past and future medical bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, assistive devices, in-home care, and lost income. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may have separate claims for financial losses and loss of companionship.
What Makes Our Firm Unique
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40+ Years of
Proven Legal ExperienceWith decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases. -
Aggressive & Personalized
RepresentationWe tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to. -
Committed to Securing
Justice for Each ClientWe treat every case with the urgency and dedication it deserves, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. -
No Fees Unless
We Win Your CaseOur clients can focus on healing while we fight for results—because we only get paid when you do.
