Seeking Additional Compensation For A Workplace Injury
Workers’ compensation can be essential after a work accident, but it may not always be enough. When covering the costs of your injury seems impossible, you may be surprised to learn that there may be another source for compensation.
At the Steenberg Law Firm, we help clients get the compensation they deserve after their workplace accident. We do not settle for less in our work, and we are not afraid to pursue sources of income outside workers’ compensation.
Who Else May Be Liable?
While injured workers with a workers’ comp case can get medical bills paid and get paid a portion of their lost wages, it is often not enough money for the long term. However, if the negligent actions or inaction of a third party caused or contributed to causing your injury, you may be entitled to additional compensation by filing a third-party action (also called third-party lawsuits or claims). A “third party” is any entity or person other than your employer.
When you are hurt at work, you would file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. By pursuing a compensation claim, you are barred from directly suing your employer as a result of your work injury. However, if the action or inaction of an outside “third party” played any part in causing your accident or injury, then you may be able to sue the third party in addition to receiving ongoing workers’ compensation benefits. The third-party lawsuit benefits can help pay for costs not covered by workers’ compensation such as full reimbursement of lost wages, and compensation for mental and emotional pain and suffering.
For example, if your work injury resulted from a slip and fall while on the job and the owner of the property where the fall occurred is not your employer, then you may be able to sue the property owner for unsafe conditions such as ice or broken concrete. The third-party claims are typically filed by work injury attorneys such as attorneys from Steenberg Law Firm against the makers of defective products, contractors and drivers who cause automobile accidents.
How We Can Help You
If you believe you have both a New York workers’ compensation case and a third-party action, then it is recommended you retain a law firm such as the Steenberg Law Firm who can handle both types of cases.
Common third parties responsible for work-related injuries include:
- At-fault drivers in work-related vehicle accidents
- Negligent contractors and subcontractors at construction sites
- Manufacturers and sellers of defective products
- Property owners in slip and fall or other premises liability cases (i.e., apartment owners or real estate developers)
Remember, employees who suffer an injury at work at the hands of a third party are still entitled to workers’ compensation benefits because their injuries are work-related, but they may also pursue a personal injury claim against someone else (or company) as long as the other “third party” (person or company) is not the employer.
We Can Fight For Your Recovery
A workplace injury can be devastating, but it does not have to be costly. If you need help securing the compensation you deserve, contact us. Call 716-558-2000 or email us here to schedule your free initial consultation today. We look forward to helping you hold all liable parties accountable for their actions.