Forklift operator falls due to negligence of truck driver. $1.1M. San Bernardino County.

Summary

Trucker pulls away from dock and forklift falls from the back of the trailer.

The Case

• Case Name: Alonso v. Rasool, et al.
• Court and Case Number: San Bernardino County Superior Court / CIVSB2310781
• Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
• Date Action was Filed: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
• Type of Case: Negligence
• Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Kory E. Mathewson
• Plaintiffs:

Juan Cristobal Alonso, 54

• Defendants:

Tahir Rasool and Kohsar Logistics, LLC

• Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

• Gross Verdict or Award: $1,190,000
• Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None
• Economic Damages:

$37,461.33

• Non-Economic Damages:

$1,160,000

• Trial or Arbitration Time: 6 days
• Jury Deliberation Time: 1 /12 hours
• Jury Polls: Unanimous

The Attorneys

• Attorney for the Plaintiff:

Knapp Moss (formerly The Law Office of Lawrence Knapp) by Catherine Moss, Stockton.

• Attorney for the Defendant:

Borton Petrini LLP by Daniel Ferguson, Redlands.

The Experts

• William Stetson, M.D., orthopedic surgery.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

On May 19, 2021, plaintiff, working as a forklift operator, was severely injured when the commercial truck he was offloading unexpectedly pulled away from the loading dock.  This resulted in the forklift falling out of the back of the trailer and causing plaintiff forklift driver to hit his head and injure his back and knee. Defendants are the truck driver and the trucking company.

He was diagnosed with blunt head trauma and back contusion by the ER doctor and then given a post-concussive syndrome diagnosis by his workers comp doctor. Plaintiff treated for two weeks with workers' comp before he asked to be released to go back to work full duty as he feared losing his job.

When plaintiff sought help from plaintiff's counsel, he had not treated with any medical provider for over a year and a half. However, he continued to experience significant low-back pain with radicular symptoms, persistent headaches, and left knee pain. After receiving chiropractic treatment, plaintiff was referred out for a left knee MRI and a lumbar spine MRI. The imaging of the knee revealed torn menisci while the imaging of his low back revealed five herniated discs with a bulge at L5-S1. He was referred to a pain management/orthopedic clinic where he received one PRP injection in his knee and a surgical referral and three LESI injections at L5-S1 and a surgical referral. He did not follow through on either referral.

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

While plaintiff was operating a forklift to offload a trailer at a warehouse, the defendant truck driver suddenly pulled his truck away from the loading dock. This unexpected and negligent maneuver caused the forklift and plaintiff to fall out of the back of the trailer. Plaintiff sustained injury to his back, head, and knee. These injuries are now chronic injuries that will last a lifetime.

• Defendant's Contentions:

Defendants denied liability up to the date of trial and alleged comparative negligence until the last day of trial. Defendants ultimately contended that plaintiff's injuries had completely resolved two weeks after the incident occurred when he released himself from workers' compensation care.

Injuries and Other Damages

• Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:

L5-S1 disc bulge that caused low back pain with radicular symptoms into his left leg, post-concussive syndrome with persistent headaches, and torn menisci in his left knee.

Special Damages

• Special Damages Claimed - Past Medical: $37,461.33

Demands and Offers

• Plaintiff §998 Demand: $200,000
• Defendant §998 Offer: $95,000

Additional Notes

Insurer: Progressive

Disclaimer

This is not an official court document. While the publisher believes the information to be accurate, the publisher does not guarantee it and the reader is advised not to rely upon it without consulting the official court documents or the attorneys of record in this matter who are listed above.

Copyright © 2026 by Neubauer & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.