Can an Injured Worker Pursue a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

by | Mar 14, 2016 | Uncategorized

pBlacktopCrew-Dollarphotoclub_64300803-300x200.jpg When an employee is injured on the job, he or she is generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. In exchange for workers’ compensation benefits, employees are generally prohibited from suing their employer in a personal injury lawsuit – even if the employer was negligent or partially responsible for the injury-inducing accident. In some situations, however, an injured worker can also seek personal injury damages against any third parties liable for the accident and injuries. Known as third-party liability, an injured work may be able to seek money damages, in addition to workers’ compensation benefits, if someone other than the employer or employee was responsible or partially responsible for the accident. The following are some of the common situations in which issues of third-party liability might arise:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents. Some jobs’ primary duties, such as truck drivers and delivery drivers, involve operating a motor vehicle but many other jobs also require occasional driving while on the job. For example, a salesperson may occasionally need to drive to other locations on business trips or a plant supervisor may need to drive to another factory site to oversee operations. If an employee is injured in an auto accident while on the job, he or she may also have a personal injury claim against the negligent motorist.
  • Product Liability Claims. If a worker is injured as a result of defective machinery or equipment, the injured worker may have a product liability claim against the product manufacturer.
  • Medical Errors. If a worker’s injuries are exacerbated as a result of medical error, the injured worker may also have a medical malpractice claim against the treating doctor or hospital.

If you were injured in an on-the-job accident, you should notify your manager and obtain medical attention. In the case of a work-related auto accident, you should also notify the police. Additionally, as with any personal injury accident, you should also consider consulting with an Illinois injury attorney as well. An accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, options, and obligations in order to obtain maximum financial recovery. The Chicago accident and injury lawyers at Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish help accident and injury victims obtain maximum financial recovery from all possible sources following a work-related accident. We will guide you through the workers’ compensation claim process and represent you in connection with any applicable third-party claims, as well. We have obtained record setting and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of our injured clients. Contact our office at (312) 445-9084 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Chicago personal injury lawyers. Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (888) 325-7299 or (312) 445-9084.

$2,300,000 – Brain Injury
$650,000 – Motor Vehicle Accident
$800,000 – Construction Injury
$570,000 – Medical Malpractice

$4,300,000 – Medical Malpractice
$4,100,000 – Construction
$4,000,000 – Medical Malpractice
$3,000,000 – Vehicle Accident

$950,000 – Birth Injury Malpractice
$5,860,000 Medical Malpractice – Wrongful Death
$1,800,000 – Product Liability
$4,000,000 – Medical Malpractice

$3,000,000 – Vehicle Accident
$950,000 – Birth Injury Malpractice
$7,500,000 – Premises Liability

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