Insights Into How Our Legal System Works

Can You Sue When Injured While Working?

6 April 2018 by Yolanda Lane

Workers' compensation insurance is usually required by every business. It helps pay for medical bills and some lost income if you are injured on the job. It also protects your employer from a lawsuit. However, there are some times when you can sue your employer or someone else if you were injured while working. Check out these people you may be able to sue.

Your Employer

In most cases, you can't sue your employer if you are hurt while working because workers' compensation insurance protects them, but if your employer doesn't have workers' compensation insurance or they don't have enough coverage to pay your medical bills, you may be able to sue the employer. 

Even if it is not legally required for your employer to have workers' compensation, you may be able to sue and win. It's also possible to file a lawsuit if your employer intentionally hurt you, such as purposely punching you in the face. Depending on your injuries, you may even get additional money for more lost income, pain and suffering and even punitive damages.

A Product Manufacturer

You can also typically file a lawsuit against a product manufacturer if you were injured by their product at work. For example, your employer purchases new chairs for everyone, but your chair is defective. It's not your employer's fault, so you can't sue them, but you may be able to sue the chair manufacturer. 

You can still file a workers' compensation claim to get money fast because you don't have to prove fault in a workers' compensation claim. You'll likely need to repay some money to workers' compensation because you can't double-dip. You'll still get to keep any money not covered by workers' compensation, such as pain and suffering.

Another Driver

In some cases, you aren't in the office while working. You may need to drive to a meeting across town. If you get into a car accident on your way, it will likely be covered by workers' compensation. However, if the accident wasn't your fault, you can also sue the other driver to get more money for injuries and damages. 

It may also be necessary to sue the other driver if your employer argues you weren't working at the time of the accident. They may argue you were running a personal errand, which means you'd have to handle the accident privately by filing a claim or suing the at-fault driver.

If you've been injured at work, you deserve to get reimbursed so that you can pay for medical bills. In some cases, however, workers' compensation isn't enough, and you need to file a lawsuit to get every cent you deserve. For more information about workers' compensation or related lawsuits, contact a workers' compensation attorney in your area today.

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