If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 for anyone pinned, crushed, struck, bleeding heavily or who hit their head.
- 2Keep others away from the vehicle and lift. Do not try to raise the vehicle yourself unless responders direct it.
- 3Shut off power to the lift if it is safe.
- 4Have someone notify the shop manager or owner right away.
- 5Ask that the lift be tagged out of service and not repaired, adjusted or cleaned until it is inspected and photographed.
- 6Later, write down the lift type, the vehicle, where the lift arms or pads were set, and whether locks were engaged.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Lift accidents in auto shops can happen when arms slip, pads are misplaced, a lock fails, a hydraulic or cable problem occurs, or a vehicle's balance shifts when a heavy part like a transmission is removed. Many details are technical. Describe what you saw and heard, and leave the cause to investigators. If you were under the vehicle, write down where you were standing, what you were working on and what warning you had, if any, such as a shift, a noise or a lock that did not click.
Because a lift may have been made, installed, inspected or serviced by another company, there may be third-party questions in addition to your workers' comp claim. Ask that inspection records and service logs be preserved.
The time limits for reporting an injury and filing a claim differ from state to state. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency promptly. A family member can help if you are hospitalized. In small shops, the owner may also be the person handling the report. It is reasonable to ask for a copy of what is sent to the insurer and the name of the adjuster.
Keep photos, the lift's make and model, any inspection tag, service records, the work order and all medical records. If coworkers saw the lift fail or had noticed problems with it before, ask for their names and how to reach them.
Getting medical care
Crush injuries and fractures may need emergency and specialist care, including imaging and orthopedics. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate. Even if you were only grazed or jumped clear, get checked. Crush and impact injuries can be worse than they look, and a fall to the shop floor can injure your head, back or wrists.
Tell every provider the injury happened at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see for follow-up. If you need imaging or a specialist, ask how approvals work on your claim so care is not delayed.
Ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery is often available. If you need equipment like a brace, crutches or a sling, ask how those are handled too.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- The lift may have been defective or poorly serviced by another company.
- You have crush injuries, fractures or lasting damage.
- You cannot return to mechanic work.
- Your claim is denied or delayed.
- You are asked for statements by the lift maker's or service company's insurer.
- The lift had problems that were reported before and were not fixed.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your care plan and keep notes on your progress. Recovery from fractures or crush injuries often involves time off and physical therapy. Write down what you can and cannot do, like gripping tools, standing on concrete or lying on a creeper.
Ask about restrictions and share them. Some shops have service writing or parts work. Some shops can offer service writing, parts counter, diagnostics or customer calls during recovery. Get any restrictions in writing and compare them to what you are asked to do.
It is common to feel uneasy under lifts after an accident. Tell your clinician. Feeling uneasy under a raised vehicle after an accident like this is common; tell your clinician. Before going back under a lift, ask what was inspected, repaired or changed.
Questions to ask
- Has the lift been tagged out and preserved?
- When was the lift last inspected, and by whom?
- Who installed and services this lift?
- Doctor, what does recovery look like?
- Is there non-lift work I can do while I heal?
- How are work-injury prescriptions handled, and can they be delivered?
- Attorney, could the lift maker or service company be responsible?
- Can I see the lift's inspection and service records?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a vehicle fell off a lift in the auto shop?
Call 911 for anyone struck or pinned, and keep others away. Ask that the lift be tagged out and left as it was. Report the injury in writing once everyone has care.
Is a lift accident covered by workers' comp?
Injuries from shop equipment on the job are generally the kind of event workers' comp addresses, depending on your state. Report it promptly.
Can I sue the lift manufacturer after a lift accident?
In some situations, a defective lift, or one installed or serviced poorly by another company, may raise third-party questions. This depends on your state and the facts. Many workers' compensation attorneys offer a free first consultation.
Why should the lift not be repaired right away?
The lift's condition can show what went wrong, such as a worn part, a lock that did not engage or misplaced arms. Photos and an inspection before repair help everyone understand what happened. Ask your employer to tag it out and preserve it.
What records should I ask for after a lift accident?
Ask for the lift's make and model, its inspection tag, service and repair records, and the work order for the vehicle. Keep your own copies of the injury report and medical records. Save names of coworkers who saw it.
Is it normal to be nervous working under lifts again?
Yes, many mechanics feel uneasy after a close call or an injury like this. Tell your clinician, since support is available. Ask your employer what safety changes were made before you return.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).