Third-Party Claims
It has been estimated that about one-third of our lives is spent working, for as many as 30 years
With such a large amount of time spent on the job, probability dictates that some people will be involved in workplace accidents resulting in serious injury. In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 752,600 nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases in the public sector and 2.9 million in the private sector.
Many of these injuries fall under the realm of workers’ compensation, which awards payment of medical and disability benefits in exchange for employees’ relinquishing the right to sue. However, there are circumstances when these benefits are insufficient. Although injured workers cannot bring lawsuits against their employers for a work-related injury or illness, they are not precluded from suing third parties who bear responsibility.
The Eastern Kentucky jobsite accident lawyers at the Johnson Law Firm know that there are many contributing factors to each accident. We evaluate the entire situation to hold all responsible parties accountable for their negligence while making sure you are not unfairly blamed. If you have been hurt at work by a third party, our attorneys can help you recover all the compensation you deserve for your losses. Get started today with a free, no-obligation case review by calling 606-437-4488. You can also fill out this online form to discuss the details of your accident and find out your rights. We handle accident claims from anywhere in Kentucky, with a concentration in Pikeville and surrounding areas.
Car Accidents
Third-party actions can result in a number of accidents. One of the most common situations is an employee who is injured in a vehicle accident while driving for work. Delivery drivers, truck drivers, home healthcare workers, salespeople, and construction workers all spend time on the road as part of their job, increasing the odds of being involved in a work-related wreck. Even someone who is traveling to a work conference or client meeting and who gets into an accident that isn’t their fault may be eligible for workers’ compensation; they may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent motorist for additional damages, such as car repair, future lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Slip and Fall Accidents
A worker who is injured on property belonging to someone else might be able to bring a lawsuit against the owner or manager, in addition to collecting worker’s compensation benefits. As long as the accident happened during the scope of the employment by a dangerous condition on property not owned or managed by the employer, the resulting injuries may be compensable under both systems of redress. Falling after slipping or tripping on icy sidewalks, loose carpeting, broken stairways, uneven flooring, or hazardously placed items are common examples of injuries for which an employee can sue.
Defective Product Accidents
Workers who are injured by unsafe equipment may be able to sue the manufacturer if it knew of the danger and didn’t properly warn the business or employees. Machines that are defective, fail to properly operate, or are inherently dangerous can result in serious bodily harm. For example, factory personnel often work with heavy machinery whose malfunction can cause crushed body parts, loss of limbs, blindness, and more. Laborers who are hurt in this way can collect workers’ compensation benefits as well as file a products liability case against the manufacturer, designer, marketer, retailer, and/or distributor.
Subcontractor Accidents
The volume of and range of activities at construction sites make them inherently dangerous places. While the environment can present some unique safety issues, the responsibility for all workers on-site typically falls to the general contractor. Someone who is hurt on a construction jobsite while working for a subcontractor may be able to bring a third-party lawsuit against the general contractor for a safety violation, in addition to a workers’ compensation claim.
We Can Help
Even though workers’ compensation may cover an injury, a third party who acted negligently or intentionally by creating a dangerous condition should also be held liable to ensure full reimbursement to an innocent employee. If you’ve, been hurt on-the-job anywhere in the Bluegrass State, the experienced legal team at the Johnson Law Firm can help. We’ll fight hard to earn you every penny of the compensation you deserve. Our founder, Billy Johnson, has been named a Super Lawyer by U.S. News & World Report as well as an American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 trial lawyer, and he is a proud member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. He has been helping victims and their families put their lives back together since 1998 and he is ready to help you. Call us at 606-437-4488 or contact us here for a free consultation.
Attorney Billy Johnson
William “Billy” Johnson grew up in the Dorton area of Pike County, Kentucky, and early on decided to stay in the beautiful Appalachian mountains. Like many others in Eastern Kentucky, Billy’s dad worked as a coal miner, a hard job but one that taught his son how to meet challenges head on and persevere. Attorney Billy Johnson has years of experience helping injured clients with claims such as car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, work injuries, and more. [ Attorney Bio ]
