Nearly three million job-related injuries and illnesses are reported every year in the United States. A workplace injury can happen to anyone, but some jobs are obviously more dangerous than others; construction, agricultural, and industrial workers report the most injuries, but police officers, taxi drivers, hospital orderlies, and nursing aides also report a considerable number of work-related injuries. Usually, injuries on the job are covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. In some circumstances, an injured employee can file a lawsuit. If you’re injured at work in southern California, discuss your case at once with an experienced Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney who can suggest your best legal option.
Workers’ compensation was developed to protect employees injured on the job while simultaneously protecting businesses from personal injury lawsuits. Employees are compensated without having to sue their employers. Workers’ compensation is funded by employers and administered by the individual states. Injured employees are in most cases limited to the compensation available through the workers’ comp system. Workers’ compensation benefits are restricted and typically pay only a part of your lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses. No pain and suffering compensation is available through workers’ comp.
Employers who do not carry workers’ compensation insurance may be sued in some cases when employees are injured. When a job-related injury is caused by a third party like a contractor or a subcontractor, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim can also be pursued if you’re injured by a negligent third-party driver while operating a company vehicle or if you’re injured by defective equipment that your employer purchased in good faith from the equipment’s manufacturer. And in California, if your employer’s responsibility for your injury goes beyond negligence – that is, if “serious and willful misconduct” by your employer is the direct cause of your injury – you may be able to obtain additional benefits. A good workers’ compensation lawyer can suggest the legal option that’s in your own best interests. If you’re injured while at work anywhere in southern California, get sound legal advice right away from an experienced Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney.