If you have been injured on the job you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits, compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, or both. In most cases, if you qualify for Workers’ Compensation you will not be allowed to sue your employer, but there are exceptions and a third party lawsuit may also be appropriate in your case. The work injury lawsuit attorneys listed in this website can help you determine the best course of action and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
A Workers’ Compensation claim is an insurance claim and you do not need to prove fault in order to receive benefits. Workers’ Compensation laws were enacted to ensure that injured workers can receive medical care and partial replacement of their lost wages without having to wait out a lengthy lawsuit. On the other side of the coin, employers are protected from most injury lawsuits brought by employees.
If you have a work-related injury or illness you should file your Workers’ Compensation claim right away. You have a limited amount of time to file and the sooner you started, the sooner you can start receiving benefits.
Eligibility
Most employees are eligible for Workers’ Compensation, but there are some exception which vary from state-to-state. Some workers, such as independent contractors, who are not employees are not covered by Workers’ Compensation laws. There are also grey areas, and your work injury lawsuit attorney can help you determine if you are considered an eligible employee in your state.
Benefits
Workers’ Compensation benefits are very limited, but that does not mean you should forgo pursuing them. Workers’ Compensation can cover your basic medical expenses and replace up to two-thirds of your lost income.
Because these benefits are rarely enough to cover all of your losses and the needs which arise out of your injuries, you should talk to your work injury lawyer about other possible avenues of compensation, such as a third-party lawsuit if you were injured by a defective product.
If you or someone you love has suffered a work-related injury, please search our database to be connected with an experienced workers compensation attorney in your area.