If you have suffered an on-the-job injury, you clearly have a right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits. However, if your injury was caused by a third party as opposed to a co-worker or your employer, you may also have the right to file a civil lawsuit to receive compensation in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits you may receive.
Most frequently this situation arises where employees are involved in a motor vehicle accident in the course of their employment, but the accident itself was caused by another party having no association with the employee or the employer. This is important because workers’ compensation benefits do not include several elements of damage that can be compensated as a civil personal injury claim. That would include primarily pain and suffering, and also perhaps other overlapping benefits which aren’t reduced by the workers’ compensation weekly benefit rate.
If you have suffered a work related injury that was caused by a third party, you should contact an attorney who has significant experience in both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims.
If you or someone you know has been injured at work and you would like to discuss your case with an attorney, please contact Walt Thomas at Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP today at 712-309-3738.