Forklift Accident Permanently Injures Big-Box Retail Worker

This case takes place in Illinois and involves an incident where a male employee was severely injured after being hit by the fork of a forklift at a big-box retailer.

ByZach Barreto

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Updated onAugust 26, 2021

Forklift Accident Permanently Injures Big-Box Retail Worker

The plaintiff was unloading a delivery when another employee drove the forklift into him fork first. The employee drove the forklift through a large set of doors that the plaintiff happened to be walking by at the time of the accident. The forklift immediately ran into the plaintiff, causing extensive injuries from both the impact of the fork and crushing injuries caused by the forklift’s tires. As a result of the injuries he sustained in this accident, the plaintiff can no longer work.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

Do you supervise logistics at a big box retailer?

Do you set protocols and or safety rules for the operation of forklifts?

Expert Witness Response E-008086

inline imageI am a Shift Manager at a major big-box retailer. I manage, schedule, and assist in hiring our supervision team, clerical staff, approximately 180 Teamsters, and 135 casual workers. I also direct our equipment maintenance, building maintenance, spotters/drivers, and clean-up crews. Two of the four are outside contracted companies. I manage/supervise the distribution center for all produce, fresh meat, and dairy shipped to every store in our company. I deal with safety rules and protocols on a daily basis for pallet jacks, forklifts, scissor lifts, and tractors. I also assist in training and setting safety rules on the aforementioned equipment. I am certified by OSHA in the "Train the Trainer" program and have operated or managed the operation of this kind of equipment for 18+ years.

About the author

Zach Barreto

Zach Barreto

Zach Barreto is a distinguished professional in the legal industry, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Research at the Expert Institute. With a deep understanding of a broad range of legal practice areas, Zach's expertise encompasses personal injury, medical malpractice, mass torts, defective products, and many other sectors. His skills are particularly evident in handling complex litigation matters, including high-profile cases like the Opioids litigation, NFL Concussion Litigation, California Wildfires, 3M earplugs, Elmiron, Transvaginal Mesh, NFL Concussion Litigation, Roundup, Camp Lejeune, Hernia Mesh, IVC filters, Paraquat, Paragard, Talcum Powder, Zantac, and many others.

Under his leadership, the Expert Institute’s research team has expanded impressively from a single member to a robust team of 100 professionals over the last decade. This growth reflects his ability to navigate the intricate and demanding landscape of legal research and expert recruitment effectively. Zach has been instrumental in working on nationally significant litigation matters, including cases involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, toxic chemical exposure, and wrongful death, among others.

At the Expert Institute, Zach is responsible for managing all aspects of the research department and developing strategic institutional relationships. He plays a key role in equipping attorneys for success through expert consulting, case management, strategic research, and expert due diligence provided by the Institute’s cloud-based legal services platform, Expert iQ.

Educationally, Zach holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and European History from Vanderbilt University.

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