Workers' Compensation Vs. Personal Injury

At the Law Offices of John M. McCabe, we often field questions from our clients about workers' compensation and personal injury law. Although both legal terms relate to injuries sustained, there are crucial differences between them regarding how they are pursued legally. Let's delve into these differences, which will assist in identifying the appropriate course of action if you've been injured.

What is Workers' Compensation?

Workers' compensation is an insurance program mandated by the state, designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. Regardless of who is at fault, workers' compensation provides for medical expenses, wage replacement, and sometimes, rehabilitation or retraining costs. In some severe cases where the injury results in death, it provides benefits to the worker's dependents.

In general, when you accept workers' compensation, you waive the right to sue your employer for negligence. This trade-off is known as the "workers' compensation bargain".

What is Personal Injury?

Personal injury law, on the other hand, pertains to the legal remedies and defenses involved in civil lawsuits brought as a result of wrongful conduct. Unlike workers' compensation, personal injury cases are rooted in the concept of negligence.

In a personal injury case, the injured party (the plaintiff) must demonstrate that another party (the defendant) acted negligently, and this negligence directly caused the plaintiff's injury. If successful, the plaintiff may be entitled to recover damages for:

• medical expenses
• pain and suffering
• emotional distress
• loss of enjoyment of life
• lost wages
• and in some cases
• punitive damages.

Key Differences Between Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury

When it comes to workplace accidents or injuries, understanding the differences between workers' compensation and personal injury claims is crucial. Many people may assume they are the same, but they are actually distinct legal processes with their own unique requirements and benefits.

Fault

One of the most significant differences between workers' compensation and personal injury lies in the requirement of fault. In personal injury cases, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's negligence caused the injury. On the other hand, workers' compensation is a no-fault system. An employee is entitled to benefits for an employment-related injury, regardless of whether the employer was negligent.

Damages

In personal injury cases, the plaintiff can recover all types of damages that are a direct result of the injury. This includes compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, which can significantly increase the value of the claim.

Workers' compensation, however, does not provide compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. The primary elements of a workers' compensation claim include medical bills and a portion of lost wages.

Right to Sue

Another crucial distinction is the right to sue. In a workers' compensation case, the employee forfeits the right to sue their employer for negligence in exchange for the guarantee of benefits. With personal injury claims, the injured party has the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to seek compensation for damages.

It's important to note that although you generally cannot sue your employer for a work-related injury, there may be circumstances where a personal injury lawsuit is possible, such as if a third party's negligence caused your injury.

What are Some Instances When a Personal Injury Lawsuit Applies To a Work Injury?

While workers' compensation is the usual remedy for injuries sustained on the job, there are indeed circumstances where an employee might also have a personal injury claim arising from a workplace accident. Here are a few examples:

1. Injuries Caused by a Third Party

If an employee's injury at work was due to the negligence of a third party, not the employer or a co-worker, a personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate. For instance, if a delivery driver is injured in a car accident caused by another driver while on duty, they may file a personal injury lawsuit against that driver.

2. Defective Products

If an employee is injured at work due to a defective product or piece of equipment, they might have a product liability lawsuit against the product's manufacturer. For example, if a construction worker is injured due to a defective piece of machinery, they can sue the manufacturer for those injuries.

3. Toxic Substances

If a worker is exposed to toxic substances or chemicals that cause illnesses or injuries, such as asbestos leading to mesothelioma, they may be able to bring a toxic tort lawsuit against the manufacturer of the substance.

4. Employer's Intentional Conduct

If an employer intentionally causes harm to an employee, a personal injury lawsuit may be brought. For example, if an employer physically assaults an employee, that could lead to a personal injury claim.

5. Employer's Gross Negligence

In some cases, if the employer's gross negligence or reckless conduct led to the injury, a personal injury lawsuit might be possible. However, this varies widely by state, as some states do not allow such suits.

6. Injuries Not Covered by Workers' Compensation

If an injury is not covered by workers' compensation insurance, such as stress-induced mental injuries, a personal injury lawsuit might be an alternative.

7. Non-Subscribers to Workers’ Compensation

In some states, employers are not required to subscribe to workers' compensation. If an injury happens in a non-subscriber workplace, a personal injury claim might be possible.

What About Car Accidents While Working?

Car accidents that occur while working can lead to complex legal scenarios. The right to claim workers' compensation and/or file a personal injury lawsuit will largely depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Workers' Compensation

If you are driving as part of your job duties and are involved in a car accident, you are typically entitled to workers' compensation benefits. This can apply to a wide range of jobs, including truck drivers, delivery drivers, salespeople who travel for work, and any other job that requires you to use a vehicle for work-related tasks.

Workers' compensation will cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, you typically cannot sue your employer for additional damages if you accept workers' compensation.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

A personal injury claim or lawsuit might be appropriate if the car accident was caused by another party's negligence. This could be another driver who was at fault for the accident. In this case, you could pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver to recover damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The Dual Claim Scenario

It is possible to have both a workers' compensation claim and a personal injury claim at the same time. For example, if you are a delivery driver and another driver hits your vehicle, you might be entitled to workers' compensation benefits from your employer and also have the right to sue the driver who hit you.

Contact The Law Offices of John M. McCabe

Navigating the legal realms of workers' compensation and personal injury can be complex, especially when you're also dealing with an injury. Understanding the key differences between the two is crucial to ensure that your rights are protected, and you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact a workers' compensation lawyer today for a FREE consultation.