Representing Those Hurt on the Job
When you are injured on the job in Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation is typically the first source of coverage for your medical bills and lost wages. However, workers’ compensation does not always tell the whole story. Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may have grounds to pursue additional compensation through a workplace injury claim in Pennsylvania that goes beyond what your employer’s policy provides.
Third-party claims are one avenue worth exploring when a party other than your employer contributed to your injury, such as an equipment manufacturer, a contractor, or a negligent driver. The Valley Forge and Harrisburg lawyers of Graham & Mauer, P.C. can evaluate your situation, identify every potential source of recovery, and help you pursue the full compensation you are entitled to receive.
Why File a Third-Party Claim in Pennsylvania?
People are injured on the job every day. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2010 there were over three million workplace injuries in the United States, over 30 percent of which required days away from work. Furthermore, there were 4,206 workplace fatalities the same year. While most of these cases qualify for workers’ compensation benefits – usually covering medical costs and lost wages – there are many situations in which workers comp does not adequately cover the losses the victim suffers.
Moreover, if your injury occurs at work but is not directly the fault of your employer, those who are responsible for the negligence that led to your injury are never held accountable if you simply apply for workers comp. A third-party claim allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent company or individual that caused your injury – and may allow you to recover more than you would in a simple workers’ compensation claim.
You may be able to seek compensation in a third-party case with our law firm and also receive workers’ compensation. Furthermore, through a third-party case, you can often gain coverage for past and future medical costs, loss of earnings, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, emotional distress, and other pain and suffering – much of which is not available through workers’ compensation.
Examples of Third-Party Cases
You can only file a third-party claim if your injury occurred at work but another party other than your employer was responsible. Common types of third-party cases include the following:
- Injury owing to a defective product, material, machine or tool
- Owners or general contractors who fail to provide a safe work environment at a construction site
- Careless or reckless car or truck drivers
- Negligent employees of other companies
- Factory collisions
Call Graham & Mauer – Speak to Our Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured at the work site, Graham & Mauer, P.C. is prepared to help you obtain fair compensation. With offices in Valley Forge and Harrisburg, personal injury lawyers from our firm are easy to reach for clients throughout eastern and central Pennsylvania. Call us toll-free today at 800-218-0808 for a free phone consultation on workplace accidents like slip and fall injuries, or contact us online.
