Most workers spend more hours at their job than anywhere else. Many of them receive extensive training on their roles, security protocols, procedures, etc.
However, accidents do happen. And sometimes, it is enough for a co-worker to act negligently for someone else to be injured. In such a situation, what is the procedure? What can be done?
If this has happened to you or someone close to you, you should know that you can get more than just workers’ compensation in these cases.
But let’s start with the basics: any employee who is injured during business hours—whether due to an accident or the negligence of another colleague—has the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits. This compensation can cover medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses due to your injury, and a percentage of your lost wages. Still, it does not cover pain and suffering or anything else.
It is important to note that you cannot apply for workers’ compensation if you are injured on the way to work and/or home, if you are on a meal break, if you engage in criminal activity, or if you are under the influence of some substance. If your accident did not occur under any of these situations, then you can request your employer to apply for compensation.
Now, in addition to workers’ compensation, if you have been injured due to the negligent conduct of a co-worker, you can file a lawsuit against that person to seek compensation for damages. This would cover everything you have had to go through as a result of your injury.
This compensation would also include pain and suffering, expenses that your family has incurred both during the accident and after, as well as if, in general, your lifestyle and that of your family has been affected.
