Should you sue for a work injury?

December 23, 2014

Had an injury on the job? Here’s what you should do.

Should you sue for a work injury?

Regardless of how cautious you are in the workplace, there are situations that can sometimes lead to an accident.

Your first instinct might be to sue your employer, but there are many things to consider before you take action.

Both you and your employer are legally protected for injuries that happen on the job, and you’ll need to inquire about what your options are.

Spending time away from work due to a workplace injury shouldn’t cause you to lose out on the income you would have received if you had been working instead.

Compensation insurance

When considering whether you should sue, you should look into what types of compensation you can receive from your workplace’s compensation policy.

The main goal of this insurance policy is to provide protection for both employees and the employers. It’s a no-fault system, which means that regardless of who is at fault of the injury, whether it is the worker or the company, the benefits still hold true.

When you injure yourself on the job, the insurance will pay for the loss of earnings as a result of the accident. Before you decide whether you should sue or not, your first step should be to contact the relevant authorities immediately after the accident happens. In most cases, insurance coverage will only be valid  for the duration of six months , beyond that period, you will no longer be able to claim the benefits of the coverage.

So, can you sue or not?

In most circumstances, the answer is no. You will almost always have to file for compensation through your workplace’s safety insurance policy to make sure your income will continue if you can no longer go to work as a result of the accident.

If the accident results from a toxic product, one of the options is to sue the manufacturer of the product.

If another employee causes your injury, you can sue that individual person directly.

If the injury results from an intentional act of the employer, you will be able to sue the company.

These are only some of the circumstances where you can seek legal action for the accident. There will be a lot of work involved, like collecting evidence and building a case. A lawyer can help you decide whether suing is the right option for you. Lawyers are experts on personal injury cases and they will have a clear idea of what your steps should be.

The material on this website is provided for entertainment, informational and educational purposes only and should never act as a substitute to the advice of an applicable professional. Use of this website is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.
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