Overall, workers’ compensation benefits provide employees with funds when they are hurt on the job. In some instances, however, they may only cover some of your costs. Third parties, or anyone other than yourself or your employer, can often be responsible for a work-related injury. A machine manufacturer may have created a faulty product, or perhaps you were involved in a vehicle accident involving a random person while you were out making deliveries. In those situations, a third party may be at fault.
If you have received an injury at work that involved a third party, contact our experienced Ohio workers’ compensation lawyers Victor Kademenos or Adrienne Hines at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA Being injured on the job has a negative impact on every aspect of your life, and we know that workers’ compensation cannot cover all of your costs. You may be able to file a third-party lawsuit to recover your losses. Call us today at (419) 625-7770 to see how we can get you the funds you deserve.
Workers’ Compensation Versus Third Party Liability
According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, workers’ comp is designed to protect employers from being liable for work injuries and also provides employees with funds after they are injured on the job. Workers’ compensation is a no fault system, meaning that neither the employee nor the employer is blamed for a workplace injury.
In some cases, however, an injury is caused by factors that are completely out of your control. When an injury is caused by a third party, this is referred to as third-party liability. In these cases, you will still receive the benefits of workers’ compensation; however, third-party liability gives you the opportunity to file a lawsuit for physical pain, mental anguish, and other losses that cannot be recovered from your employer through workers’ compensation.
Common Third-Party Accidents
Many jobs involve the use of equipment that is made by a third-party, interaction with people outside of work, and other situations that might result in someone else causing your injuries while at work. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
- Construction Site Accidents – Jobs in the construction field often involve working with equipment made by a third party. If this machinery malfunctions and leads to an injury, it is the fault of the manufacturer. Other construction accidents involve workers being struck by cars. In these cases, the car owner would be at fault.
- Accidents Involving Animals and Private Property – If an employee is injured by someone’s animal while performing work duties, the owner of that animal is liable. The same goes for property. If a worker is hurt while working on private land, the land owner is liable for all costs if they were negligent in some way.
- Auto Collisions – A car striking an employee or an employee’s vehicle would result in the offender being responsible for any inflicted injuries.
Determining who is responsible for your workplace injury can be complicated. Third parties often have teams of attorneys on their side representing them. Let us help you obtain compensation. Call Victor Kademenos or Adrienne Hines at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA today at (419) 625-7770.
