Workplace injuries affect millions of American workers every year, spanning construction sites, factories, offices, warehouses, and every industry in between. While workers' compensation provides some benefits, many injured workers are entitled to additional compensation through third-party liability claims — especially when equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners contributed to the injury.
Overview
Every year, roughly 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses are reported in the United States, and thousands of workers die from on-the-job injuries. These incidents occur across all industries, from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and office environments.
Most injured workers are covered by workers' compensation insurance, which provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement regardless of fault. However, workers' compensation benefits are often limited and do not cover pain and suffering, full lost wages, or the true long-term cost of a serious injury.
What many injured workers do not realize is that when a third party — someone other than your employer — contributed to your injury, you may be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers' compensation claim. These third-party claims can provide substantially greater compensation and are not subject to the same limitations.
Workers' Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
Understanding the distinction between these two types of claims is essential for maximizing your recovery after a workplace injury.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance system. You do not need to prove your employer was negligent — you simply need to show that your injury occurred in the course of your employment. Benefits typically include medical expenses, a portion of lost wages (usually around two-thirds), and disability benefits. However, workers' compensation does not cover pain and suffering, and you generally cannot sue your employer for additional damages.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
When someone other than your employer or a co-worker causes or contributes to your workplace injury, you may be able to pursue a third-party personal injury claim. Unlike workers' compensation, a third-party claim allows you to recover full lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages. Common third parties include equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, property owners, and drivers of other vehicles.
You can pursue both a workers' compensation claim and a third-party personal injury claim simultaneously.
Common Causes
Workplace injuries occur across many industries and circumstances. Some of the most common causes include the following.
Construction Site Accidents
The construction industry has one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and fatalities. Falls from heights, scaffolding collapses, being struck by objects, electrocution, and trench cave-ins are among the most common construction accidents. OSHA's "Fatal Four" — falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between hazards — account for the majority of construction worker deaths.
Machinery and Equipment Accidents
Heavy machinery, conveyor belts, presses, forklifts, and other industrial equipment can cause devastating injuries when safety guards are missing, equipment malfunctions, or operators receive inadequate training. Equipment manufacturers may be liable for defective designs or manufacturing defects.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, and other repetitive stress injuries develop over time from performing the same motions repeatedly. These injuries are common in manufacturing, assembly, typing, and other jobs requiring repetitive movements.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Wet floors, cluttered walkways, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting cause falls in workplaces of all kinds. These injuries can range from minor sprains to devastating head and spinal injuries.
Exposure to Harmful Substances
Workers exposed to toxic chemicals, asbestos, silica dust, and other hazardous substances may develop serious respiratory conditions, cancers, and other illnesses. These exposure cases may involve both workers' compensation claims and third-party suits against chemical manufacturers or property owners.
Vehicle Accidents
Workers who drive as part of their job — delivery drivers, truck operators, sales representatives, and others — may be injured in traffic accidents. When another driver causes the accident, a third-party personal injury claim is available in addition to workers' compensation.
Types of Injuries
Workplace injuries span the full spectrum of severity, from strains and sprains to catastrophic and fatal injuries.
- Back and spinal injuries — Heavy lifting, falls, and being struck by objects frequently cause herniated discs, spinal fractures, and spinal cord damage. These injuries can cause chronic pain and permanent disability.
- Repetitive stress injuries — Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other overuse injuries develop gradually and can significantly impair your ability to work.
- Fractures and broken bones — Falls, equipment accidents, and being struck by objects commonly result in broken arms, legs, ribs, and pelvises.
- Burns — Chemical burns, electrical burns, and thermal burns are hazards in many industrial and construction settings.
- Crush injuries — Heavy equipment, falling objects, and collapsing structures can crush limbs, causing severe tissue damage that may require amputation.
- Traumatic brain injuries — Falling objects, falls from heights, and equipment accidents can cause concussions and more severe brain injuries.
- Amputations — Industrial machinery, power tools, and construction equipment can cause traumatic amputations. These life-changing injuries require extensive medical treatment, prosthetics, and rehabilitation.
- Occupational illnesses — Asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis, occupational asthma, and chemical sensitivities can develop from workplace exposures, sometimes decades after the initial exposure.
OSHA and Safety Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces workplace safety standards. When an employer violates OSHA regulations and a worker is injured as a result, those violations can serve as powerful evidence in a personal injury claim.
Common OSHA violations that contribute to workplace injuries include failure to provide fall protection, inadequate machine guarding, insufficient hazard communication, lack of personal protective equipment, and failure to maintain safe working conditions.
If OSHA has cited your employer for a safety violation related to your injury, this evidence can significantly strengthen your claim.
Compensation Available
The compensation available to injured workers depends on whether the claim is pursued through workers' compensation, a third-party lawsuit, or both.
Through Workers' Compensation
- Medical expenses related to the workplace injury
- Temporary total or partial disability benefits (typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage)
- Permanent partial or total disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
Through Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
- Full medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Full lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages (in cases of willful negligence)
What to Do After a Workplace Injury
- Report the injury immediately — Notify your employer or supervisor about the injury as soon as it happens. Most states have strict deadlines for reporting workplace injuries that can affect your eligibility for workers' compensation.
- Seek medical attention — Get medical treatment right away. Ask your doctor to document that the injury is work-related. Keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, and prescriptions.
- Document everything — Photograph the accident scene, the hazardous condition or equipment involved, and your injuries. Write down exactly what happened while the details are fresh in your mind.
- File a workers' compensation claim — Report your injury to your employer in writing and follow your state's procedures for filing a workers' compensation claim.
- Identify potential third parties — Consider whether anyone other than your employer or a co-worker contributed to your injury. This could be an equipment manufacturer, a subcontractor, a property owner, or a driver.
- Do not accept a quick settlement — Insurance companies may try to resolve your claim quickly and cheaply. Do not accept any settlement or sign any documents without first consulting an attorney.
- Contact an attorney — A workplace injury attorney can help you navigate both the workers' compensation system and any potential third-party claims, ensuring you recover the maximum compensation available.
How Claim Bureau Helps
Workplace injury cases often involve navigating two separate legal systems simultaneously — workers' compensation and third-party personal injury claims. This dual-track approach requires an attorney who understands both systems and can identify all available avenues for compensation.
Claim Bureau connects injured workers with attorneys experienced in workplace injury cases. Through our free case evaluation, we learn about your injury, how it happened, and whether third parties may be involved. We then match you with a qualified attorney in your area who can pursue every dollar of compensation you are entitled to. There is no cost to use our service, and your attorney works on contingency — meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult with a qualified attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation.
