Occupational accidents and injuries have serious consequences for victims, who might face lost wages on top of expensive medical bills. These damages and more may be compensable in third-party workplace accident claims.
Victims should immediately inform their employers and document their injuries with doctors when workplace accidents occur. We can quickly interview other workers who witnessed the accident, as they may offer useful testimony in your lawsuit. Workplace injury lawsuits involve negligent third parties, not victims’ employers, and must be filed within two years of an accident. Your claim may cover all damages from the accident, like medical bills and losses due to emotional distress, as well as your missed income. We can estimate your lost wages by referring to employment and income documentation, using statements from medical experts if necessary to prove your need for future lost wages.
The Reiff Law Firm’s work injury lawyers can review your case for free when you call (215) 709-6940 today.
Documenting Workplace Accidents and Injuries in Aston, PA
The most crucial thing workers can do after sustaining occupational injuries is document them by reporting to their managers and getting immediate treatment from medical professionals.
Workplaces should have procedures in place for reporting accidents and injuries. Make sure you explicitly inform your employer of the accident and that you cannot work because of it. Waiting to tell your employer about your injuries could negatively affect your future case, particularly if your only way to recover damages is through your employer’s insurance.
Call 911 and request an ambulance to be sent to your workplace if necessary. Let paramedics treat you at the scene and take you to the hospital. Always go to the hospital after a workplace accident, no matter how severe the incident or your immediate injuries appear.
Doctors may give you a long-term treatment plan to aid your physical recovery, and closely following their advice is crucial. Deviating from your treatment plan or stopping care for any reason could raise questions about your need for compensatory damages or the severity of your injuries.
Your fellow employees might witness an occupational incident and provide useful statements in your case. Inform our work injury lawyers of peers who witnessed the accident so we can promptly schedule interviews to preserve their statements and recollections. Witnesses can testify about important matters, like the apparent cause of the accident and the victim’s visible injuries at the scene.
Filing Work Injury Lawsuits in Aston, PA
When victims file workplace injury lawsuits, they typically do so against negligent third parties rather than their employers. In addition to holding the appropriate parties accountable, victims must file their claims within two years of an accident to get the compensation they need.
Third-Party Claims
Generally speaking, victims may only file work injury lawsuits against third parties, not their employers. A common example of this is accidents due to defective products, which might happen on construction sites in Aston. If machinery is not made properly, it could be dangerous to use, potentially causing explosions, fires, or other serious accidents. In these situations, the company that produced the defective product may be liable, and to confirm this, our attorneys may involve experts in your case to review the equipment and get eyewitnesses to testify in court.
Investigating the potential liability of third parties is important, as it could open the door to additional damages for victims. For example, while non-economic damages are unavailable in Workers’ Compensation claims, victims can get compensation for pain and suffering in third-party workplace accident lawsuits.
Following the Statute of Limitations
You must file on time to get compensation for occupational injuries from a workplace accident lawsuit. According to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, plaintiffs in Pennsylvania have two years to seek damages from negligent third parties, and filing a lawsuit any later would lead to a case dismissal. Preparing your case immediately after an accident is crucial so our lawyers have ample time to gather evidence of your injuries, damages, and their cause. While there is a limit on how long victims file lawsuits, there is no limit on how long those lawsuits might take to complete.
Calculating Your Lost Wages from a Work Injury in Aston, PA
After sustaining severe occupational injuries, victims may be unable to return to work for some time, leading to devastating lost wages. These damages should be compensated in your work injury lawsuit, and our lawyers can calculate your deserved recovery by reviewing employment and income records.
For example, we may need access to recent tax returns, income statements, and paychecks. These documents can help confirm your income before the accident so that we can calculate your losses since the accident. If you can return to work but at a lower earning capacity, we can argue for the defendant to cover the difference in your income.
We will calculate future losses in addition to your lost wages to date. Permanent brain or spinal cord injuries from falls or other occupational accidents could prevent a victim from working ever again, leading to a life-long loss of income. Medical experts can often testify in support of victims getting compensation for future lost wages, giving juries additional context and clarifying some of the more complicated aspects of their injuries.
Do not attempt to resume workplace responsibilities before doctors tell you to, especially if you have a labor-intensive job. This could worsen your injuries and weaken your case, particularly your request for lost wages.
Though lost wages and medical bills may be the most egregious damages for victims, they often incur other economic losses that are also compensable. Report all damages to our lawyers so we can submit proof of them during your case.
Call Our Lawyers to Discuss Your Recent Work Injury in Aston, PA
For a free case review from The Reiff Law Firm, call our work injury lawyers today at (215) 709-6940.