Man Sues Home Depot After Forklift Strike, Leg Amputation

Santiago Brito, then 71, filed a negligence lawsuit in November 2025 after a July incident on Richards Avenue in Santa Fe in which a Home Depot employee operating a forklift struck him as he walked with a cane after leaving a McDonald s. The collision ultimately resulted in amputation of Brito s right leg below the knee, according to the complaint and local reporting summarized by national outlets. The suit names a forklift operator identified in reports as Dawn or Dawni Laughter and alleges failures in equipment and staffing that contributed to the injury.

The complaint contends the forklift load was stacked so high that the operator s view was obstructed, and that the vehicle was being operated without a required spotter. It further alleges Home Depot policy requires two employees to be involved when operating a forklift, and that the truck was not properly equipped for safe operation on a public roadway at night, including lighting and other necessary gear. The lawsuit seeks unspecified actual and punitive damages and legal costs. Home Depot s corporate communications declined to comment.

For store employees and management, the suit spotlights operational choices that extend beyond the sales floor and into public spaces. Forklift operators routinely move heavy loads and rely on spotters, lighting, and vehicle configuration to maintain visibility and control. Allegations that company policy was not followed or that equipment was inadequate raise questions about training, supervision, and maintenance practices at individual stores and across the chain. Workers who operate forklifts may face increased scrutiny, new procedural mandates, or closer oversight as a result of litigation and public attention.

The complaint also fits into a pattern of prior forklift related incidents and claims against Home Depot in other jurisdictions, which could encourage regulators and plaintiffs to examine corporate policies and store level adherence more closely. For employees, the immediate concerns include whether stores will change staffing or scheduling around heavy lifts, whether additional safety equipment will be required, and how the company will address liability and morale following a high profile injury. For customers and pedestrians, the case underscores risks when heavy equipment is operated near public walkways, particularly at night.