During a worker's compensation claim, you may think that all the focus is on the company you worked for, but the liability for your injuries could expand beyond just your employer. Every case offers different elements and scenarios where other liable parties may become involved.
As an attorney moves forward with your case, you may see them expand the range of liability to help you reach a settlement you deserve and to ensure the parties involved all compensate you for the injuries you sustain while on the job. Learn about some scenarios where other companies and parties may be held liable for your worker's compensation.
Faulty Equipment
If you use specialty equipment on a regular basis at work, then you expect the equipment to work correctly and operate smoothly. In some cases, poorly manufactured equipment or equipment with defects can cause injuries and accidents on the job. For example, a forklift with faulty brakes could crash and cause injuries. Power tools may have broken safety elements and cause an injury.
Equipment is expected to operate without malfunction, especially if the equipment is new and within a warranty period. An attorney may seek out the purchase receipt and more information on when equipment was acquired. In some cases, you may have to purchase your own equipment, but the same elements still apply and could become a huge factor within your case.
An attorney can determine the manufacturer of the equipment and may hold them liable for putting lives in danger. Through their research, a lawyer may discover recalls, other instances with similar injuries, and reported problems from consumers. All of those elements will help build your case and create a log of evidence.
Third-Party Contractors & Workers
Not everyone who works with your company or on a job site will be a part of the same company. Your company may work in conjunction with third-party contractors, freelance contractors, or daily delivery drivers. For example, if your company handles deliveries on a regular basis, you may have suffered an injury due to a delivery truck.
The truck may have struck you or created a dangerous situation that caused you to get injured while you worked. Along with seeking worker's compensation from your employer, you may seek compensation from the truck company that caused the injury as well. An attorney can find out company details and use various forms of evidence to help prove your case.
Premises Liability
If your work involves other pieces of property, then an attorney may hold the landowners responsible for your work-based injuries as well. An attorney may seek compensation from a property owner. A property owner could be held liable for exposing you to unsafe conditions that clearly present a danger.
For example, you may have been working on a piece of property with unstable grounds. A trip and fall incident could occur when property owners are negligent in the proper care and create dangerous situations for any workers who have to use the property.
In many cases, you may face an uphill battle as employers deny your compensation, along with the other parties involved.
Food Services
Some companies may hire various forms of services to help feed employees. The food services could include food trucks, catered lunches, or a full-fledged cafeteria that is run by a different company. As you enjoy food breaks, you could run into several types of injuries. Food injuries may include burns, stomach illnesses, or slip and fall injuries due to spilled food.
If you have a food allergy, you could suffer from injuries due to improper listings of ingredients and allergens in certain foods. A reaction could lead to stress, trauma, and permanent injuries that you seek medical care for. For example, you could have a nut allergy and have unwarranted exposure to nut ingredients in certain foods.
All of these elements could become part of your worker's compensation case. The injury itself occurred while on the job, even it was your lunch break. An attorney may seek compensation from the food companies who serve the food and have a contract with your company.
Every case and scenario is different, especially when it comes to food. An attorney will use video footage, employee testimony, and other information to help build your case. If you bring your own lunch to work, then the food services would not likely be involved in your worker's compensation claim.
For more information on worker's compensation claims, contact us at David Helfand PA. We will complete a full evaluation of your case to determine who is at fault and what ways we need to expand the case in your favor. The end result will help you receive compensation from your injuries and the time you missed from work.
Our lawyers have years of experience and have settled a wide range of worker's compensation cases that involve other parties along with the company you worked for.
