There are several reasons why a workplace injury claim could be helpful for you: 1 - Opportunity for more compensation. Wage replacement is typically around two-thirds of a worker’s average wage with a workers’ compensation claim, but there is a cap. A lawsuit gives you the chance to recover the full amount of your lost wages. 2 - Access to additional damages. Sometimes an employer’s conduct is so egregious that the court sees fit to award punitive damages to an injured worker. The idea is to “punish” the employer financially, with the hope that they will be deterred from repeating their mistakes. 3 - Third-party liability. Some jobs tend to be on sites where multiple contractors are working. It may be possible to sue for damages from a third party if it can be shown that their negligence resulted in your getting hurt on the job. For example, if a faulty piece of machinery caused your injury, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of that equipment.