Often the benefits received from workers’ compensation are not enough to cover the losses associated with a serious work injury accident. If you need more compensation than workers’ compensation will provide, call Lightfoot Law, PLLC, and speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney about the possibility of a third-party negligence claim.
A third-party negligence claim is a civil legal claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. They arise when someone working for another company causes your workplace injury or illness, or you are injured by defective equipment owned or manufactured by someone other than your employer.
At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, our experienced attorneys will evaluate your claim at no cost to you and determine if you have a third-party liability case. We will ensure your legal rights are protected, that you understand the laws surrounding your claim, and answer all of your accident-related questions.
Our third-party negligence claim attorneys are:
- Professional and reliable;
- Knowledgeable and experienced; and
- Successful and driven.
Contact Lightfoot Law, PLLC, online or by calling (202) 919-5453to schedule your case consultation by phone, FaceTime or Zoom, or in-person, whichever you prefer.
What Can a Third-Party Negligence Claim Attorney Do to Help Me?
A construction site accident can leave a victim confused about where to turn for help. The lawyers of Lightfoot Law, PLLC in Washington, D.C., offer legal guidance and representation to individuals in the D.C. area and Maryland hurt in accidents involving defective or malfunctioning machinery and other equipment.
Our committed personal injury attorneys build liability cases to establish that the actions or omissions of third parties put workers in danger of serious injury or a workplace fatality. With determination and attention to detail, our Washington D.C. work injury lawyer pursues the maximum financial compensation possible for your losses.
The foundation of a strong third-party negligence claim is accounting for 100 percent of the fault that contributed to your injury and showing that none of that fault was your own. Washington, D.C., and Maryland use the rule of pure contributory negligence, which means that if the injured party was even minimally at fault, he or she might be blocked from collecting damages.
Our attorneys work tirelessly to build your third-party liability and get you the compensation you deserve through:
- Investigating your accident for legal responsibility;
- Identifying all sources of compensation for your injuries;
- Calculating your total economic and non-economic losses from the accident;
- Consulting with you and your family to determine the impact of your injuries on your life;
- Ensuring you have any additional assistance and support you need such as medical referrals and creditor notification of a pending claim;
- Aggressively negotiating with the insurance companies to get you the maximum compensation available;
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit to demand compensation when no settlement is forthcoming; and
- Presenting your case in court when necessary.
To learn more about the services offered at Lightfoot Law, PLLC, and our approach to third-party negligence claims, call us in Washington, D.C. We will gladly answer your questions about the third-party accident claims process and address your immediate concerns regarding your accident and medical care needs.
Causes of Third-Party Negligence Claims in Washington, D.C.
There are a wide range of third-party negligence claims. In the aftermath of accidents involving faulty forklifts, cranes, scaffolding, vehicles, and other machinery or equipment, a lawsuit may be brought against a number of potentially at-fault parties.
These include but are not limited to:
- A construction site accident can be caused by machinery, or other equipment that was defective in design or manufacture or that was put into commerce with insufficient instructions or warnings. A product liability lawsuit can allege negligence or breach of express or implied warranties.
- The distributor or seller of machinery or other equipment can be held liable if the product is unreasonably dangerous for an operator who uses it as intended.
- An independent contractor is responsible for providing a safe work environment. A contractor who uses faulty equipment or who fails to keep equipment properly maintained puts workers and others on the worksite at risk.
- Machine operators. At all times, heavy machinery should be operated with care and caution. A machine operator’s failure to follow safe operating instructions may expose him or her to liability for a worker’s injuries.
- Construction site owners. The owner of a site has a duty to minimize known hazards that could harm anyone lawfully present. If a dangerous condition on the property resulted from a breach of that duty, the site owner might be liable to an injured worker.
Some of the most common third-party negligence claims arise from construction sites where several contractors or companies work simultaneously.
Third-Party Negligence Claim Compensation
When you are injured at work and require medical attention, workers’ compensation is available to pay your medical bills, recoup some of your lost wages and obtain vocational training, regardless of who or what caused the accident. However, workers’ compensation payments are limited in scope, cover only up to two-thirds of lost income and do not account for your pain and suffering or other noneconomic damages. Also, workers’ compensation is your only legal remedy against your employer; you cannot sue your employer in court.
However, if a third-party’s actions contributed to your injury, that party may be financially liable for a portion of your accident-related damages. A successful products liability lawsuit against a manufacturer, distributor or seller can recover not only your full out-of-pocket expenses and loss of income but also damages for the diminished quality of life you experienced as a result of the injury. Other third parties may also be liable for their roles in causing an accident.
Compensation available in a third-party negligence claim may include any of the following and more:
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of income;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental and emotional trauma;
- Loss of enjoyment of life;
- Disfigurement and scarring; and
- Loss of consortium.
Contact an Experienced Washington, D.C. Third-Party Negligence Claim Attorney Today
To find out more about compensation in a third-party negligence suit and how it differs from a workers’ compensation claim, reach out to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at Lightfoot Law, PLLC. The litigators at Lightfoot Law, PLLC in Washington, D.C. file third-party negligence claims on behalf of workers throughout the D.C. area and Maryland who were injured by defective construction equipment or by other causes.
Suffering a preventable injury is often traumatic, painful, and costly. Thankfully, you have legal recourse at Lightfoot Law, PLLC. Our dedicated Washington, D.C., personal injury attorneys will fight to secure financial compensation for you.
If you are in serious financial distress and facing high medical bills, lost work wages, emotional suffering, physical pain, and even lifestyle changes, you can recover the costs of your injuries with the help of a responsible attorney like those at Lightfoot Law, PLLC.
To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers, call (202) 919-5453or contact us online.