Regardless of the specific field of your occupation, whether you work in a restaurant, retail store, or on construction site, there is always the potential risk of injuries. You can file a workers’ compensation claim if you are injured while on the job. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance employers must carry that provides benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and other losses for employees who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. However, negligence is not a factor in workers’ compensation, which causes many to wonder what they should do if they were injured due to their co-worker’s negligence. If a co-worker injured you due to negligence, contact an adept Birmingham Workers’ Compensation Lawyer who can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Please continue reading to learn about your legal options if a co-worker is liable for a workplace injury.
What should I do if a co-worker is responsible for my injuries?
Regardless of whether you suffered a workplace injury in an accident or because of a co-worker’s negligence, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. As mentioned above, workers’ compensation can help you pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses. However, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering. Workplace injuries typically require long recovery periods, and victims are burdened with various losses that negatively impact their lives. When this occurs, and your injuries occur because of a negligent co-worker, you can file a third-party lawsuit to recover total compensation for your damages. With a workers’ compensation claim, you cannot recover the total cost of your losses.
If you decide to pursue a third-party lawsuit, you will be burdened with proving to the court that your co-worker’s negligent actions directly caused your injuries. To do this, you must demonstrate that they did something they weren’t supposed to or made a mistake that resulted in your injury. It is critical to note that the liable co-worker may not have enough money to cover the total cost of your damages. When this is the case, many wonder whether they can pursue legal action against their employer.
Can I take legal action against my employer?
If you suffered severe injuries, you may pursue legal action against your employer to recover monetary compensation for your damages. If you only suffered minor injuries such as abrasions, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer. Pursuing legal action when you are injured due to a co-worker’s negligence can be complex as you must prove that your employer knew that the co-worker was dangerous to others or they failed to protect you.
If you were injured due to your co-worker’s negligence, contact a seasoned Jefferson County workers’ compensation lawyer from Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC today. Our firm is prepared to vigorously fight to help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.
