Workplace injuries can change lives in an instant. While workers’ compensation benefits are designed to help injured employees cover medical care and a portion of lost wages, they often fall short of addressing the full impact of a serious injury.
What many workers don’t realize is that, in some cases, workers’ compensation may not be the only option—especially when an injury was caused by some form of negligence or a defective product.
Having the right team working on your case can make all the difference in the world.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Negligence Claims
With workers’ compensation, when an employee is hurt at work, he or she can receive benefits without having to prove fault or wrongdoing, which is a good thing. What is unfortunate is that those benefits are limited. They typically do not account for pain and suffering, full wage loss, or long-term life disruption.
However, when a workplace injury is caused by a third party’s negligence – someone at a job site left behind a dangerous situation, there was equipment that failed or malfunctioned, a negligent driver caused an accident, or the workplace itself is an unsafe environment – an injured worker may be able to pursue a separate personal injury claim. These claims can provide compensation beyond what workers’ compensation allows.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Product Liability Claims
Some workplace injuries are caused by dangerous and defective products. Scaffolds, scissor lifts, power tools, and other common workplace products can be defective, dangerous, and cause serious injuries to workers. Manufacturers often put profits over safety and design and sell products that are unsafe for their intended users. When a defective product is the cause of a serious injury, the injured worker can pursue a personal injury claim and sue the product manufacturer and distributors and recover for the injuries caused by the dangerous product.
Real Examples of Additional Recoveries
We have helped many injured workers file product liability and negligence-based claims and secure meaningful financial results above and beyond workers’ compensation, including:
- A union carpenter injured in a construction accident who recovered $2.2 million
- A nurse hurt at work who obtained a $2 million settlement
- An HVAC repair worker injured on the job who recovered $1.5 million
- A man injured while driving a work truck who secured $1 million
Each of these cases involved more than just a workplace injury—they involved accountability for negligence or the design and manufacture of a dangerous product.
The Right Guidance Matters
Identifying whether negligence or a defective product played a role in a work-related injury is not always obvious.
Construction sites, hospitals, roadways, and industrial workplaces often involve multiple companies, contractors, or equipment manufacturers.
A thorough investigation and an aggressive legal strategy can make the difference between limited benefits and full financial recovery.
Contact us to learn more about your rights and how we can help you pursue the recovery you deserve.
How to reach us:
Text 215.372.8528
Call 215.981.0999
Message us through our website
We are here for you.