When you are hurt on the job, it is critical to understand your options for recovering compensation so you can get back on your feet. In most cases, you will need to submit a workers’ compensation claim to get the money you need. However, some injury victims can file a personal injury lawsuit instead. An experienced Fort Pierce work accident lawyer can help.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we have secured compensation for accident victims in over 30,000 cases. Our team of Fort Pierce personal injury lawyers knows the challenges that can come with a work accident case and will use every tool at our disposal to help you recover the money you deserve for your damages. Reach out to set up a free case evaluation today.
Differences Between Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Following a workplace accident in which you were injured, you must determine your options for recovering compensation. In most cases, you will have to file a workers’ comp claim to get the money you need. However, under certain conditions, it’s possible to file a personal injury lawsuit, which can mean recovering more money for your damages.
Obviously, if your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, your only option for recovering damages will be through a lawsuit. However, Florida law requires most employers to carry this insurance coverage. Workers’ comp insurance protects employers from lawsuits by injured workers while providing a straightforward path to compensation for injury victims.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim
One of the biggest benefits of filing a workers’ comp claim is that you can recover money quickly through a claim while dealing with minimal paperwork and red tape.
On the downside, you will only be able to recover minimal damages through a workers’ comp claim. With workers’ comp, you are only eligible to recover a limited array of economic damages.
Pursuing damages through workers’ compensation is generally going to be far less contentious than going to court. However, you should be aware that your employer’s insurance provider is still likely going to carry out a thorough investigation into your claim to ensure your injury is real and that it was caused by a workplace accident that occurred in the course of your duties.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
The main benefit of filing a personal injury lawsuit rather than a workers’ comp claim is that there is the potential for recovering far more money through a lawsuit.
The available economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit are more extensive, and you will also be eligible to collect non-economic damages. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, you can recover punitive damages.
On the other hand, the main drawback when filing a personal injury lawsuit is that the process for a lawsuit is long, and you may not recover the money you need for years. Furthermore, you can expect a hard-fought legal battle and challenges from the liable party’s insurer. The situations in which you can file a lawsuit after an on-the-job injury include the following:
- Your employer’s negligence caused your injuries
- Your employer deliberately caused you harm
- A third party was responsible for your damages
Even if your job is inherently dangerous, your employer is required to take steps to minimize the hazards you face and provide you with a reasonably safe work environment. Should your employer fail to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety, you have the right to file a lawsuit against them for negligence.
Following an injury caused by a third party, which could include the driver of a vehicle that struck you or the maker of a defective tool, you will be able to sue the liable party for damages. Following a car accident that occurs on the job, an experienced Fort Pierce car accident lawyer can help with your lawsuit.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Pay Attention to the Filing Deadline When Submitting a Work Accident Lawsuit
When looking to secure compensation for an injury you sustained in the workplace, you must be mindful of the personal injury statute of limitations. Accident victims now have two years to file a lawsuit in most circumstances.
Missing the filing deadline will likely mean you are out of options for pursuing damages. It will always be in your best interest to hire an experienced work accident lawyer in Fort Pierce as early as possible to ensure you fully understand your legal rights, meet all applicable deadlines, and secure a favorable case result.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our Fort Pierce, FL, Work Accidents Attorneys Get Paid on a Contingency Fee Basis
When you work with the team from The Schiller Kessler Group, you will never have to worry about being billed for legal services you can’t afford. The personal injury lawyers at our firm are paid on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless we are successful in securing compensation for our clients.
We don’t charge our clients a high hourly rate or require a fee to retain our services. Instead, we will collect a single fee once we successfully secure compensation for our clients from the party responsible for their damages. This fee will be paid directly from the money recovered at a fixed percentage.
With this payment system, you can be sure that we will do everything we can to get you maximum compensation since our financial outcome is tied to yours. By charging our clients in this manner, we are also able to provide any accident victim with legal representation, regardless of their financial standing.
Get Help From an Experienced Work Accident Attorney Serving Fort Pierce Today
The best way to put yourself in a position to recover the money you deserve following a work accident is to secure the services of an experienced work accident lawyer in Fort Pierce. At The Schiller Kessler Group, our team has a proven track record of securing big wins for our clients. Check out our client testimonials to get a better idea about the service you can expect.
Contact us by phone or by completing our online contact form to schedule a free case review today.
Injured? Call The Aggressive Attorneys Today
