When you get injured at work, you can file for workers’ compensation. If you think that another person or party contributed to your injury, you may be able to file what is known as a third-party personal injury claim. This is a claim you can make when someone aside from your employer helped to cause your injuries. A Washington, D.C. workplace accident lawyer from our firm can help you with this.
When Should I File a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim?
You should file a third-party personal injury claim when your employer or job is not the only reason you were injured. Some examples of scenarios in which a third-party claim could be valid include:
- You are making a trip to see a client for work. On the way, your car is hit by another driver and you suffer injuries. You can sue the other driver for damages.
- You are in your workplace and you trip and fall due to a damaged handrail in a stairwell. The landlord of your building could be held liable for your injuries.
- You get hurt on a job site, but it was due to the actions of a subcontractor. That negligent subcontractor can be sued.
Is It Harder to Win a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim?
The big difference between a third-party personal injury claim and workers’ compensation is what you have to prove. With workers’ comp, it’s simple. You need to show that you were hurt while performing your job. In a personal injury claim, you need to show that the other person was negligent. That means building a convincing case against them, and that can be tough without a lawyer’s help.
Can I File a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim Against My Supervisor or Boss?
This is not usually an option. If you were hurt in the workplace, you file against your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Washington, D.C. you have three years to pursue a personal injury claim, but we recommend moving a bit quicker. The earlier you act, the easier it can be for your lawyer to gather convincing evidence. That makes it easier to build a case and show how someone’s negligence led to your injuries.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File My Claim?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but one from our firm can do a lot to assist you with your case. An attorney can:
- File your third-party personal injury claim
- Help you build a case
- Gather evidence
- Handle all communications for you
- Calculate fair compensation
- Defend you from accusations of wrongdoing
Contact Our Legal Team
So if you have been injured on the job, make sure that you are fighting for all of the compensation that you deserve. Schedule a consultation with Trombly & Singer, PLLC and allow our experienced attorneys to take a closer look at your case. We can help you explore all of your legal options.
