Third-Party Personal Injury Claims For Work-Related Accidents Or Illnesses

If you were hurt on the job in California, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. Workers’ comp is no-fault, meaning you don’t have to prove that anyone’s wrongdoing contributed to your injuries. It also means that you can’t sue your employer for a personal injury claim. But what if someone other than your employer (or co-workers) played a role in your work-related injury or illness? You might have a separate personal injury claim against those third parties in addition to your workers’ comp claim against your employer.

These cases – called third-party personal injury claims – can be incredibly challenging. You don’t want to tackle them alone. Turn to Workers' Compensation Lawyer, Inc., for guidance from a team of experienced workers’ comp lawyers.

What To Know About Third-Party Claims

Unlike workers’ compensation claims, personal injury claims generally require proving that someone’s negligence – that is, carelessness or failure to uphold a legal duty – contributed to your accident. The term third party refers to someone other than your employer. Third parties might include:

• Negligent drivers in work-related motor vehicle accidents
• Manufacturers of defective products
• Contractors, subcontractors or site owners in construction cases
• Property owners who were responsible for dangerous property conditions

If you’re successful in pursuing a third-party personal injury claim, you may be able to obtain damages (compensation) for:

• Your out-of-pocket expenses relating to the accident, including medical bills, property damage, and ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
• Your pain and suffering stemming from the accident or injury
• Punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer, in limited circumstances

Why You Need A Legal Team That Understands Both Claims

The process of pursuing a personal injury claim against third parties is much different from that of workers’ comp. If you’re successful in your personal injury claim, you may have to reimburse your employer for the workers’ comp benefits you received. Navigating these issues requires the skill and knowledge of an attorney who understands both types of claims.

At Workers' Compensation Lawyer, Inc., our lawyers know how to handle workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims – and the interplay between them. We can determine whether you have a third-party claim. If so, we know how to strategically handle both cases to put every possible dollar back in your pocket. Get started today by calling 800-496-0563 or by sending us an email.