Third-Party Liability: Seeking Additional Compensation After A Work Accident
Workers’ compensation benefits are an important source of financial support for employees who cannot work due to an on-the-job injury. Unfortunately, workers’ comp benefits may not be enough to cover all your expenses, nor do they compensate for damages like pain and suffering.
You are typically prohibited from suing your employer (or coworkers of that employer) for your injuries because workers’ compensation laws protect employers from legal liability. But you can sue a negligent third party (unrelated to your employer) for causing or contributing to your injuries.
At Hardee, Massey & Blodgett, LLP, our attorneys have more than 58 combined years of experience in personal injury and workers’ compensation law. In addition to helping you claim the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve, we can also help you hold negligent third parties liable for your injuries in a separate personal injury lawsuit.
Auto Accidents While Driving For Work
Car accidents are one of the most common injury scenarios generally, so it is no surprise that they would be among the most common sources of third-party liability claims as well. If you are a commercial driver (truck, bus, delivery van, etc.), an auto accident is a workplace accident. The same is true if you are otherwise traveling for work, excluding accidents during your daily commute.
Let’s say that you were struck by a drunk driver one day while driving your delivery route. You could seek workers’ compensation benefits for your injuries, but you could also file a lawsuit against the drunk driver, because this person has no affiliation with your employer.
Suing Contractors And Subcontractors On The Job Site
Tight construction schedules require all kinds of different workers to be on a construction site at the same time. This can lead to accidents and injuries. If you were harmed by the negligence of a coworker for your same employer, you’d be limited to seeking workers’ compensation benefits only. But if your accident/injuries were caused by a subcontractor or anyone else who works for a different employer, you can pursue additional compensation in a third-party liability claim.
The same principle may apply if you work in a large office building or similar workplace. Businesses often hire outside contractors to perform janitorial services or maintenance work. If you were injured because one of these other workers was negligent, you may have grounds for an additional legal claim.
Contact Us For A Free Discussion About Your Case
Hardee, Massey & Blodgett is based in Greenville, and we serve clients throughout North Carolina. To learn how our skilled attorneys can help you with a worker’s compensation or third-party liability matter, contact us to schedule a free consultation. Just call 252-787-4627 or send us an email.