Third Party Claims for Injuries on the Job
You have been involved in an accident on the job in which you sustained injuries. You believe that the accident was not the fault of you or your employer. You believe someone other than you or your employer was responsible for the accident on the job that caused your injuries. You believe it was due to a third party.
What can you do to be compensated for your injuries that were caused by a third party? What are you allowed to do? What options are open to you?
All states except Texas
In every state other than Texas, with few exceptions, all employers have to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If your accident on the job occurred in Texas, you need to find out if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance.
If your employer is carrying workers’ compensation insurance, a workers’ compensation claim should be made. The purpose of workers’ compensation is to pay medical bills, lost wages and certain other benefits to workers who have been injured on the job while doing their duties for their employer.
You are eligible for these benefits no matter whose fault the accident was that brought about your injuries. In almost all cases, fault is not a determining factor when it comes to getting workers’ compensation benefits.
Your only remedy
Even if your accident on the job was due to the negligence of your employer, your are not permitted to sue your employer. Workers’ compensation benefits are your only remedy when it comes to your employer.
This is not the case, however, when it comes to a third party other than your employer being at fault for the accident on the job that resulted in your injuries. When it is a third party that is at fault for an accident on the job, you may be able to sue them for losses that have been brought about by their negligence.
This is referred to as a third party claim. In a third party claim, you are usually allowed to make a personal injury claim against the party who was responsible for your injuries that resulted from the accident on the job.
Personal injury claim
A personal injury claim is a claim that is brought by an individual who has received some type of negligent damage. It is brought against whoever is responsible for this negligent damage. In this case, it is a third party.
In regard to workers’ compensation claims, your are limited to the amount and kind of monetary compensation that you are allowed to recover. This is not the case with a third party personal injury claim.
Third party claims
In a third party personal injury claim, you are permitted to sue for damages that go far beyond what you can receive from workers’ compensation. You are usually allowed to sue for things like suffering, pain, disability and emotional distress.
The laws regarding third party personal injury claims for injuries brought about by an accident on the job vary from state to state. The best thing to do is to contact a workers’ compensation attorney. A workers’ compensation attorney will look into your case thoroughly and see if you should file a third party personal injury claim, as well as getting workers’ compensation benefits.
Related articles
- Can My Employer Ask Me to Submit to an Independent Medical Examination (usworkerscomp.com)
- What if I Want to See Another Doctor (usworkerscomp.com)
- Injured in an Accident on the Job in Texas and Receiving Workers’ Compensation (usworkerscomp.com)









