Gaining Financial Compensation For A Workplace Injury
Posted on: 16 November 2017
In the course of a normal workday, there is always the risk that you will sustain a serious injury that will leave you unable to perform your duties. Sustaining a workplace injury can be devastating, but there are some ways that you can seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Here are three avenues to pursue when a workplace injury leaves you unable to earn an income in the future.
1. File a workers' compensation claim.
If you are an eligible employee (meaning that you are not an independent contractor or volunteer), then you are covered by workers' compensation insurance while you spend time performing work-related tasks. Any injuries that you sustain while doing your job could qualify you for financial benefits. Workers' compensation claims typically provide an allowance for basic living expenses and cover the cost of medical care related to the treatment of your injuries.
2. Sue your employer.
Most injuries that occur in the workplace are considered no-fault injuries. This means that neither you nor your employer can be held legally responsible for damages resulting from an injury. However, if your employer acted in a way that targeted you specifically (such as punching you or causing direct and intentional harm) then you might be able to seek financial restitution by filing a lawsuit against your employer. An attorney with experience handling workers' compensation cases will be able to determine if the circumstances surrounding your accident make you eligible for a lawsuit as you attempt to gain financial compensation following a workplace injury.
3. Sue a third party.
Another option that might be available to you after sustaining a workplace injury is filing a lawsuit against a third party. If the accident that resulted in your injury was partially caused by a faulty machine or product, then you might be able to sue the manufacturer of that machine or product in court.
An attorney will be able to determine if the negligent actions or poor production practices of a third party manufacturer contributed to your injury and help you file a lawsuit that will allow you to seek financial compensation from this third party.
Workplace injuries can leave you without access to a steady income and with mounting medical expenses. Be sure that you are familiar with filing a workers' compensation claim, suing your employer, and suing a third party when you want to seek financial compensation for your workplace injury in the future. For more information and options, contact a professional law firm in your area, such as Law Offices Of Timothy L Lapointe PC.
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