In a general workers’ compensation case, there are two parties: an injured worker and the employer. Workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system, meaning that it does not matter how you got hurt. Personal injury claims, on the other hand, are all about negligence. A “third-party” claim arises when a worker is injured as a result of negligence of a third party while on the job.
To give one of the most common examples, a driver conducting business may be injured in an accident with another vehicle due to the other driver’s negligence. He or she was injured at work and is entitled to all of the benefits of a workers’ compensation claim. Because he or she was also injured through the negligence of another driver (someone not employed by the employer in question), it may be possible to bring a claim against that other driver in addition to the workers’ comp claim.
A third-party claim allows you to recover pain, suffering, and loss of future economic damages.
That said, the way that these two systems interact can be immensely complex. In order to recover full damages, it is critical to understand the dynamics. Failure to do so can result in fewer benefits and even financial catastrophe. We have a comprehensive expertise about how these systems interact and are ready to apply it to your case.
Our team has dedicated itself to the rights of injured workers since 1972. As such, we are prepared to handle all third-party claims involved with workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation claims are often more secure than the third-party claims due to guaranteed prompt payments of medical bills and disability payments. Third-party claims, however, add to the overall compensation; the combination of third-party and workers’ compensation claims together can greatly increase your total compensation.