Work injuries differ from other injuries due to the special relationship between the employer and employee. Victims who sustain injuries at their workplace in Indianapolis will receive benefits through a workers’ compensation lawsuit. Hire a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience regarding third-party claims to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Third-Party Claims
A third-party petition is a personal injury claim against a business or an individual who causes your work injuries other than your employer. Victims who sustain injuries should hire reliable attorneys to assist them in filing a case. These Indianapolis car accident attorneys have extensive knowledge regarding work-related injuries and can assist you in securing a fair settlement for your injuries. Some of the common examples of such claims include:
Construction Accidents
Most construction sites have numerous subcontractors and contractors who work together on the project. Victims who sustain injuries due to the negligence of someone working for a different company can file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer. The property manager or owner is held responsible if the injuries sustained by the victim are due to unsafe conditions on the construction site.
Related: 8 Safety Precautions to Consider at Rigging Site to Avoid Accidents
Premises Injuries
Many employees, ranging from IT providers to HVAC professionals, travel off-site routinely to premises owned by other organizations during their day-to-day duties. Such professionals can sustain injuries in those properties during their routine work. Victims who sustain injuries in a trip and fall, slip and fall, or a similar incident due to unsafe conditions on the premises of another business should file a premises liability claim to hold the other business owner accountable.
Defective Equipment
Every job requires employees to work with various equipment. You can file a product liability claim if you sustain injuries due to defective products. The personal injury claim holds the distributor or manufacturer of the equipment liable for your injuries. Victims may also file a claim against any other third party responsible for maintaining or repairing that equipment.
Car Accidents
Your commute from and to work isn’t considered part of your work duties, but any driving done while you’re on the clock counts. Victims who sustain injuries while on their job are eligible for workers’ compensation. Victims of a motor vehicle accident can file a personal injury claim against the responsible driver as with any other motor vehicle accident.
The only way victims can know whether they have a third-party claim is to seek the services of a seasoned personal injury lawyer who investigates their injuries to establish what happened. If you or your loved one sustain injuries due to the negligent actions of another person, you should hire a lawyer to help you file a successful claim.
Related: Top Safety Measures to Use in the Workplace
Why You Need to File a Third-Party Claim
Victims of an accident may think that there’s no point in filing for a third-party claim. The workers’ compensation claim is usually limited to what it covers. Your compensation caters to benefits for vocational rehabilitation, medical expenses, and your weekly wage for an agreed amount of time. A third-party claim also provides victims extra financial compensation for losses not covered by the workers’ compensation settlement. Some of them include the following:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- The total amount of lost income
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship and care
- In some instances, punitive damages
The damages you may recover following a successful third-party claim are sometimes more significant than the worth of your workers’ compensation claim. If you face difficulties pursuing the case alone, you should seek the services of a reliable Indianapolis workers’ compensation attorney to help you.
Most law firms in Indianapolis focus solely on workers’ compensation or personal injury claims. Hire a lawyer with extensive knowledge of both types of cases. A seasoned attorney investigates your case thoroughly to help victims secure the compensation they deserve.