How Third Parties Can Cause Injuries in the Workplace

It is common knowledge that injuries on the job are compensated for by workers compensation insurance. However, there are cases where workers compensation insurance isn't the only source of remedy for a workplace injury. For example, if you have been injured by a third party, you can sue the liable party for personal injury damages in addition to your worker's compensation insurance. Here are four examples of how third parties can cause damages to employees on the job:

Defective Products

It would be difficult to find even a single business that relies solely on the products it produces. Computers, printers, cranes, walls – all these are usually ordered from other companies. If a business orders a product and it turns out to be defective, the injured parties can make defective product claims just as anybody would do if injured in a residential premise. For example, if a crane comes with defective hydraulics and ends up crashing your arm, you have a genuine claim against the supplier or manufacturer of the crane.

Negligent Subcontractors

Many businesses try to improve their efficiency by concentrating on their core operations and outsourcing all other operations. For example, if you work in a moving company, your employer may outsource the landscaping and cleaning services to businesses that specialize in the same. If such subcontractors cause injury on the premises, they must be held liable for the damages. For example, a subcontractor that leaves sharp tools on the floor during office hours is liable for the damages when a sharp tool ends up cutting an employee.

Negligent Visitors

Like many businesses, you probably have customers, business partners, job seekers, and even family members of employers and employees routinely visiting your place of work. These visitors might also accidentally cause injury to you or another employee. If that happens, it won't make sense to pursue workers compensation claim and leave the negligent visitor out of the hook. For example, when the boss' child crashes into you with their car in the parking lot, they must be held responsible for the accident just as they would be if the accident occurred on the highway.

Injuries on Customer's Premises

If you are working on a customer's premises, then it's possible for the customer's negligence to cause you injury. If that happens, you can lodge a personal injury lawsuit against the customer even though you were technically on the job. Consider an example where you are injured while repairing a customer's electrical connection. You can sue the customer if it turns out that your injury was due to their negligence.

To learn more, contact services like Gregory R Heline & Associates Law Office.


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