When you’re suffering pain and financial consequences
from a workplace injury, you may want to see your employer held accountable in
court. For some people, it provides a catharsis they simply can’t get from the
negotiation table. That’s why one of the most common questions we get at our
firm is, “Can you
sue your employer for injury?”
Unfortunately, the answer is usually no. Under federal
law, employees aren’t allowed to sue their employers in civil court for
negligence and unsafe work conditions. In return, employees don’t have to prove
the employer did anything wrong to receive workers’ compensation, such as
medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability
benefits. To get the most compensation possible, it’s recommended to retain a
skilled attorney to represent you.
However, there are certain circumstances in which you can
sue your employer for injuries. These cases rarely occur, but they do happen.
For example, in some states, you may go to court if you can prove your employer
intentionally caused your injury. Likewise, some states offer more legal
options if you were injured in an accident involving a defective product your
employer manufactured. Discuss the details of your case to explore all the
avenues available to you.
