Powerful Legal Support For Forklift Injuries In Austin
After a forklift accident, your life can change quickly. Medical bills grow, missed work brings uncertainty, and it is hard to know what comes next. At Howry Breen & Herman, LLP, we understand how overwhelming this can be when your health and security are in jeopardy. If you are searching for a forklift accident attorney in Austin, our team is here to provide guidance and real support every step of the way.
Because of Austin's busy industrial and commercial landscape, forklift accidents can be especially complex. Our attorneys have experience helping individuals across the city address the serious challenges that follow these injuries. With nearly 25 years of trial work, recognized verdicts, and deep local knowledge, we help you navigate a difficult system and focus on what matters most—your recovery.
Trusted Austin Forklift Accident Lawyers With Proven Results
Our team at Howry Breen & Herman, LLP represents Austinites injured on job sites, in warehouses, and at logistics centers throughout the city. We are trial lawyers—not just personal injury attorneys—who appear in courtrooms across Austin and Central Texas. From your first call, our attention centers on your full recovery and future well-being.
We measure our success by results. Our attorneys have secured a $53.9 million verdict for a client paralyzed and burned, a $15 million wrongful death judgment for a local family, and many other high-value outcomes. These results are possible because we invest the time, resources, and trial skills you deserve.
When you work with our team, you get more than legal counsel. We strive to help you with every part of your recovery—connecting you to medical care in Austin, arranging rental car assistance when possible, and guiding you with frequent updates. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our acknowledgment by Best Law Firms and Best Lawyers is an honor, but above all, we value helping clients and families through the most difficult experiences.
After a Forklift Accident in Austin: Immediate Steps to Protect Yourself
Taking early action after a forklift accident will protect your health and your legal rights:
Seek medical attention immediately for any injury, even if it seems minor. Dell Seton Medical Center and St. David's Medical Center are equipped to handle workplace injuries.
Notify your employer or supervisor right away. Follow your company’s reporting procedures and any OSHA requirements. Always make a written report to ensure there is a record.
Document the incident. Take photos of the accident scene, any equipment involved, your injuries, and get witness contact information.
Keep every medical document and receipt. Save discharge papers, doctor’s notes, and anything related to your care in Austin's hospitals or clinics.
Consult a forklift accident attorney before discussing your accident with insurance adjusters or company representatives. Legal advice early on protects your rights.
We know that balancing medical care, employer rules, and insurance calls is stressful. Our team works to coordinate your treatment, help with claims, and communicate with all parties, letting you focus on healing. From your first day, our attorneys aim to protect your interests under Texas law and show you each option available.
Common Causes & Liability in Austin Forklift Accidents
Forklifts see daily use at Austin's construction sites, warehouses, and distribution hubs. With this comes a greater risk when safety is overlooked. The leading causes of forklift accidents in Austin include improper training, poorly maintained equipment, blocked or unsafe work areas, improper loading, and failure to follow safety guidelines.
Understanding Liability For Forklift Accidents
Responsibility after a forklift injury is often complicated. Texas law covers both workers' compensation and third-party claims if someone outside your employer was involved. For example, if a contractor failed to maintain equipment or if a property owner allowed hazardous conditions, more than one party could share fault. Our experience with Travis County and United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, along with investigative resources, helps us pursue every available recovery source for our clients in Austin.
We have guided clients through these legal issues, especially when multiple employers or contractors operate at the same site in areas like North Burnet or Southeast Austin. Each case is different, so we tailor our approach to your needs and circumstances.
What Compensation Can You Pursue for a Forklift Injury?
Compensation after a forklift accident in Austin depends on your exact situation. Clients often seek damages for:
Here are common damages available in these cases:
Medical bills, surgery, and rehabilitation costs
Lost wages and lost earning potential
Pain and suffering
Future medical care for long-term injuries
Our forklift accident attorneys work to account for all expenses and losses, both immediate and in the future. In past cases, we have secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for catastrophic workplace injuries in Austin. Case results depend on factors such as the severity of your injury, available insurance, the responsible parties involved, and the overall impact on your life. We explain these details clearly from day one, so you set your expectations with confidence and transparency.
The way our team handles cases makes a difference. At Howry Breen & Herman, LLP, we prepare each forklift accident claim as if it will go to trial—often in Travis County Civil Courts or the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. This approach helps us negotiate from a position of strength, because insurance companies and defense lawyers know our record for high-value results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a forklift accident claim in Austin?
You may have a claim if your injury was caused by negligence, unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, or if someone other than your employer contributed to what happened. Our team evaluates every forklift accident with knowledge of local rules and Texas law. We review documents such as accident reports and medical files to determine if a claim exists. In many cases—even when workers' compensation applies—you could have additional rights or a third-party claim. To know for sure, contact our office for a personal review.
What if my employer says I'm at fault for the forklift accident?
Employers sometimes blame workers in these situations, but Texas law protects your right to a proper investigation. Our attorneys have handled cases involving blame-shifting or threats of retaliation in Austin workplaces. We look at safety practices, maintenance records, and other evidence to challenge unfair accusations. You are protected under anti-retaliation laws, and our team is here to advocate for you through the legal process.
How long will a forklift accident case usually take?
The length of a forklift accident case in Austin depends on how serious the injuries are, how many parties are involved, and how insurance companies respond. Some claims resolve in a few months, while complex or disputed cases can last longer, especially if a trial is needed. Our attorneys will keep you informed of the expected timeline and provide regular updates so you are never left wondering about the status of your claim.
Ready to Talk? Get Help From an Austin Forklift Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one is recovering from a forklift accident, you do not have to face the process alone. Our team is ready to listen, offer clear answers to your questions, and lay out your next steps. All initial consultations are free of charge, and you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
I could not have found more caring people, better lawyers or a better law firm than Howry Breen & Herman.
M.A.
“We are so grateful they believed in us and partnered with us to handle this case!”
We don’t have enough words to describe how thankful we are for everything HBH did to win our business case for us. We are so grateful they believed in us and partnered with us to do it. They are amazing at what they do and we could not have had a better team. They made an enormous, positive difference for us and our business. I could not recommend them more highly.
J.K.
“We were always one step ahead!”
My lawyers at HBH were so smart and aggressive – we were always on offense and one step ahead. They just kept hammering and the other side had no answer.
T.B.
“Best in the Business, Strongly Recommend”
HBH went above and beyond to help out following a crisis. Over the course of a 3 year case, I was always kept in the loop by their amazing team. Their preparation and execution was flawless and made the whole process run smoothly. Cannot speak highly enough of their team and how they care for their clients. Will never recommend another personal injury firm besides HBH.
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
Law.com: Top 100 Verdicts 2024
Howry, Breen & Herman is proud to have been named a Tier 1, 2 and 3 Austin “Best Law Firm” in 9 practice areas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® (“U.S. News” and BL Rankings, LLC). Law firms are selected for inclusion in this prestigious ranking based on a series of quantitative and qualitative criteria. Our specialty and tiers are listed here: https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/howry-breen-herman-llp/overview/36628
The Austin Bar Association was founded in 1893 as a nonprofit professional organization for attorneys. Its mission is to enhance the legal profession, administration of justice, and the community through education, networking, and public service.
Abota Foundation Patriot
Howry Breen & Herman, LLP was selected the Top Personal Injury Law Firm in Austin by Texas Lawyer, “Best of 2020”. The annual special supplement contains the results of Texas Lawyer readers’ poll, wherein readers cast their votes for the best providers of services and goods to the legal profession.
Attorney Sean Breen and Attorney Chris Lavorato placed in California’s Top 100 Settlements for 2019, as tracked by The Recorder and VerdictSearch.
Our law firm is proud to have been recognized in the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame. Texas Lawyer in conjunction with VerdictSearch, recognize attorneys and law firms for their verdicts of $10 million or more. In 2011 Sean Breen was a Hall of Fame Award Recipient for the #1 Premises Liability Top Texas Verdict, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for the jury verdict award in the case VanDusen v. Aspen Square Management. In 2016 Sean Breen was inducted into the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for an outstanding verdict in Nester v. Textron.
Selection to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identity the nation’s most exceptional litigators for high-value personal injury, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice matters. HBH is proud that Sean Breen has been selected for this award. Less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community. (2017-2022)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Litigation - Trusts & Estates (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury - Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award. Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession. Both Sean Breen (since 2017) and Randy Howry (since 2018) are honored to receive this award.
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value, high stakes legal matters. To be considered for selection, an attorney must have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. These minimum qualifications are required for initial consideration. Thereafter, candidates are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, litigation experience, significant case results, representative high stakes matters, peer reputation, and community impact in order to rank the candidates throughout the state. HBH is privileged to honor Partners Sean Breen (2017- 2022) and Randy Howry 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for selection of this award.
Expertise - Howry Breen & Herman was recognized and featured in an article by expertisecommunity.com as one of the Best Real Estate Lawyers in Austin. 2020
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100, a highly respected legal organization that limits its members to premier trial attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by strict qualification requirements. Sean Breen Top 100 Civil Plaintiff, since 2009.
Top 10 Business Tort Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Randy Howry 2012-2013; Sean Breen since 2016.
The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes the top 5% of the most skilled attorneys in the nation. The robust selection process requires attorneys to nominate and review fellow lawyers based on their ethics, skill, knowledge, and ability to obtain results for their clients. The Best Lawyers in America® list is a way for plaintiffs to identify the leading attorneys in their region, known for their ability to get results with honesty, strength, and skill. Tim Herman, Sean Breen & Randy Howry have been featured by The Best Lawyers in America® (consecutively from 2006-2023) running alongside some of the most qualified firms in the nation. More info here.
Top Attorneys As Published In Texas Monthly
Sean Breen has been recognized for obtaining the Number 1 Verdict in Texas for electrical injury and utility negligence. This win underscores his relentless commitment to achieving justice for his clients and showcases the firms dedication to exceptional advocacy.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2017. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2016. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen has been a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2011, a renowned legal organization whose membership is restricted to trial attorneys who have achieved seven-figured settlements and/or jury verdicts.
Martindale-Hubbell® is widely regarded as one of the most renowned peer-review rating organizations in the legal field. Randy Howry (2018), Sean Breen (2001), Tim Herman (1998), and Glen Wilkerson (2014) at Howry, Breen & Herman have achieved the organization’s highest distinction of AV Preeminent®.
Each year, Super Lawyers® magazine publishes its list of peer-nominated/evaluated and independently reviewed attorneys. We are proud to have attorneys who have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers® List, by Thomas Reuters since 2003, running through 2020.
Membership in Top American Lawyers is limited to only 1% of all attorneys in the United States. Randy Howry is proud to be honored with a Lifetime Charter Membership in this exclusive organization (2017).
Randy Howry was honored by Austin Monthly’s Top Attorneys in 2023.