Most people know that workers’ compensation helps pay for medical bills and lost wages after a job injury. But many don’t know that you might also be able to sue another party if they caused or helped cause your injury. This is called third-party liability, and it can help you get more money to cover your losses.
Workers’ comp only pays part of what you need. It doesn’t pay for pain and suffering, and it usually only replaces about two-thirds of your lost wages. But if someone outside your job caused your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and get more money.
Examples of third-party claims
Third-party claims happen more often than people think. Here are some common examples:
- A delivery driver gets hit by another driver while working. Workers’ comp pays for treatment, but the driver can also sue the person who caused the crash.
- A construction worker trips on tools left by a subcontractor. They can collect workers’ comp and also file a claim against the subcontractor.
- A factory worker gets hurt by a machine that didn’t work right. The worker can file a claim against the company that made the machine.
These third-party cases are different from typical workers’ comp claims. You may need to file a separate lawsuit. But that’s okay—you aren’t doing anything wrong. You’re just using all the options the law gives you to get the money you need.
A work injury may need more than just workers’ comp
If someone other than your boss or coworker contributed to the cause of your injury, you may look into additional options. A personal injury case could help you get full pay for lost work, pain and suffering, and more.