North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits cover a lot of your medical expenses and make up for much of the income you’ve lost after an on-the-job injury. Unfortunately, while certainly helpful and welcome, those benefits can leave plenty of ongoing expenses unpaid and don’t fully replace the amount you made when working. They also don’t address the pain, suffering, and other intangible damages you incurred from your work injury.
Usually, workers’ compensation benefits are the only source of compensation after a work-related accident and injury. However, when the blame for a workplace accident is on a third party’s shoulders, meaning someone other than the direct employer, the law does not protect those parties from personal injury lawsuits as it does for employers.
For example, you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation against other individuals or companies if:
You suffered injuries in a car or truck accident caused by another driver during the course of your employment.
You were injured on negligently maintained property owned by a third party while at work, such as making a delivery or service call.
Your injury was caused by a defective or unreasonably dangerous tool, piece of equipment, or machine in the workplace.
A toxic substance manufactured by a third party was the source of the injury.
For these reasons, never assume that starting a worker’s compensation claim is the only possible source of recovery for your injuries and losses. You should speak with an experienced North Carolina personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney to determine if a civil lawsuit may be possible in your situation.