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Personal Injury Cases in
Pennsylvania Work Accident Cases
In work accident cases, parties other than the employer may be liable for negligence which contributed to an accident. These cases are typically known as “third party cases.” They are common in construction site accidents and industrial or factory accidents. In some instances, office workers may have valid claims against third parties. For instance, an office worker who slips and falls in the parking lot at work may have a valid claim against the parking lot maintenance company which failed to shovel snow properly.
Workers with valid third party claims may make claims for financial compensation and recovery of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Click here for part 1 of this article and learn about workers’ compensation benefits.
Medical bills can be recovered against the tortfeasor (the party responsible for causing the accident). Both past medical expenses and those reasonably likely to occur in the future may be recovered.
Lost wages can be also be recovered against the negligent party. Like with medical expenses, injured workers can make claims for both past and future lost wages. Future lost wage claims often require sufficient proof, by way of multiple experts, such as:
- a medical doctor who confirms that an injury is permanent;
- a vocational expert who identifies how the injury affects the job/work performance; and
- an economist who performs a projection of the total loss for the remainder of the injured worker’s life.
Also, it is important to note that an employer who provided medical treatment and wage loss payments via a workers’ compensation claim may have a right to be paid back from the third party case. For example, a worker in Philadelphia is injured in a construction accident and makes a workers’ compensation claim. The employer pays $10,000 for medical bills and $20,000 in wage loss payments. The construction worker files a claim against the general contractor and succeeds. Subject to specific requirements under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law, the worker will probably be required to reimburse the employer a portion of the $10,000 paid for medical treatment and the $20,000 in wage loss payments.
Pain and suffering damages are meant to compensate an injured worker for the physical pain and mental anguish caused by an accident and resulting injuries. Many injured workers, especially those that suffer major injuries and permanent disability, often suffer significant anxiety and depression due to the inability to provide support for their families.
Paul Bucci, Pennsylvania Work Accident Lawyer
Paul Bucci is a work accident lawyer who cares deeply about injured workers’ rights. He has spent his entire legal career championing the rights of injured workers in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area. Please call the firm for a free consultation at Click To Call.
DISCLAIMER: Since each case is unique, discussion of prior outcomes and settlements in past cases is no guarantee of a similar outcome in current or future cases. This website does not create any attorney-client relationship or provide legal advice. It is crucial to speak to a qualified lawyer prior to making any decision about your case.
