These days, workplace accidents are almost unavoidable. According to the National Safety Council, there are an average of 3.9 million workplace injuries and illnesses each year. You may be at work minding your business and being diligent, and all of a sudden, you’re falling off a ladder or struck by a falling accident.
Now, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. But what if the accident wasn’t your employer’s fault? What if it was caused by a third party, such as a product manufacturer or a contractor? In situations like this, you would have to file a workplace accident lawsuit against the third party who caused the accident to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In this article, we’ll be discussing four of the most common types of third-party lawsuits that can arise in the workplace.
Contractor Negligence
Contractors are usually hired to perform installations, repairs, or even maintenance. Now, when these contractors do not efficiently do their job, it could result in the injury or illness of a company employee. In this case, the victim needs to collect evidence and file a third-party claim against the negligent contractor.
For instance, if a construction worker is injured when an improperly installed scaffold collapses, the contractors will be sued for failing to properly secure the scaffold.
Direct Physical Violence
If an employee is physically assaulted by either a co-worker or a customer, you can file a third-party claim against the perpetrator of the violence or even their employee.
You would, however, need solid evidence of them assaulting you, and you would also need to prove that your illness or injury was a result of this act of violence. Some of the evidence you can use to solidify your claims includes photographs, medical records, and witness statements.
Defective Equipment
Equipment malfunctions are the most common cause of workplace accidents. Poor design or inadequate maintenance of machinery can lead to serious injury or even permanent disability for an employee. There have even been instances where employees lost their lives while handling defective equipment.
If you or a loved one have suffered any consequence of equipment failure, you are eligible to file a third-party lawsuit against the manufacturers of that equipment or even against the company that sold the equipment.
This can be an overwhelming process to navigate alone. However, with an experienced attorney by your side, you will claim all the compensation you need. That’s not all; lawsuits like these also help protect countless workers from similar situations in the future.
Toxic Exposure
Exposure to hazardous substances or chemicals that lead to adverse health effects. The worst part is that the effects of exposure do not always manifest immediately. They may come years after the incident, when you may no longer be with the company that exposed you to these hazards.
Now, if you find yourself in a situation like this, the best course of action would, of course, be to seek legal guidance. Your attorney will help you understand your rights and also help you pursue a third-party claim against those responsible for the toxic exposure.
You will most likely be advised to sue the manufacturer of the chemicals if the chemicals were defective or if the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the dangers of the chemicals.
Final Thoughts
Every worker deserves a safe workplace. Once your safety has been jeopardized, you should file a lawsuit against the perpetrators to get your due compensation.
Once you can prove they caused you pain and loss, you can explore your legal options and compel them to prioritize safety and quality standards in the workplace.
These lawsuits not only protect your rights, but they also fight for the safety of your fellow workers.
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