Many people believe that all workplace injuries fall under the strict purview of workman's compensation law. The fact is there are many situations that allow an employee to recover damagesfor a workplace injury that go well beyond what workers' compensation insurance covers. Cases involving defective products in the workplace or toxic substances, for instance, may allow you to bring an additional claim against an appropriate or designer manufacturer of the product or substance involved. Injuries that occur while in the scope of your employment but on another person or entity's property may allow you to bring an additional claim against that person or entity, as well. These claims, often called third-party claims, can allow an injured individual to make a claim for pain, suffering, disfigurement, and disability, damages not generally recoverable in a workers' compensation claim. Many factors such as these add to the layered complexity of workplace injuries.
There are a variety of reasons that you may be eligible for punitive damages in cases involving an injury at the workplace. Should your injuries stem from an employer's intentional or egregious conduct, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and recover punitive damages against them. If your employer fails to carry worker's compensation insurance, you may be able to obtain damages in a civil court proceeding against them, as well.
An employer's culpability or a third-party's culpability is not something that is easy for a layperson to prove. These situations can be very complex but work-related injuries could yield damages well beyond what is covered by the standard workers' compensation insurance claim.
Did you know that if your injuries leave you disabled and prevent you from obtaining gainful employment in the future, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? An injury in the workplace is rarely cut and dry. The aforementioned issues could easily be over-looked without the help of skilled personal injury lawyers like those at Panio Law Offices. We're here to help you to understand your rights when injured on the job.
Have more questions? Call us at (708) 928-8680. We can help.