Unfortunately, recovering personal injury compensation for a workplace accident is difficult. To raise your chance of success, enlist the services of a Seattle workplace injury lawyer.

Whether you’re experiencing back pain due to lifting a heavy object or you’ve been injured in a catastrophic accident, few things are worse than getting hurt at work.

Unfortunately, injured workers often find that the immediate options for financial recovery, such as workers compensation, do little to account for the true harm they have experienced. However, some work injury victims may be eligible for full compensation through the avenue of Washington state personal injury law.

Contact a Seattle work injury lawyer at Craig Swapp & Associates to see what type of aid you may be eligible to receive.

Parties That Can Be Sued in a Work Injury Case

It’s a common misconception that work injury suits can only be brought against employers. In reality, any party that causes you harm at work can be sued in a work injury case, including the following parties:

  • A product manufacturer, should you have been injured while using its defective good at work
  • The manufacturer of a toxic substance that harms you
  • Any other third party that contributes to your Seattle workplace injury

Typically, work injury claims are brought against employers who either don’t offer workers comp or who played a substantial, if not intentional, role in causing your injury.

Don’t forget that Washington state’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years, meaning that you have three years from the date of your accident to actually sue.

What to Include in Your Claim

To win compensatory damages in court, you must be able to demonstrate that the demands set forth in your claim have merit. Beyond documenting any physical harm you may have sustained, you will also need to disclose any and all losses you have experienced as a result of your work injury.

Examples of losses that may apply to your Seattle workplace injury claim include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages or earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Worsened quality of life

Work injury victims are allowed to not only account for how their impairments have affected them in the past and present, but how they expect them to affect their livelihood in the future.

Other Considerations

While Washington state generally does not cap the amount of damages a work injury victim is eligible to receive, you should rarely expect to receive punitive damages, as these are only awarded in the most egregious of cases.

In addition, it helps to know that all Washington employers are required to provide workers comp to their employees, although a few exceptions are made for those working in certain capacities.

Lastly, you might find that your employeror any other responsible partywill want to settle outside of court, which has both pros and cons. On the plus side, you will get the cash you need fast; on the downside, the amount you end up with will likely be significantly less than what you would receive from a court verdict. A qualified lawyer can help you weigh your options.

Hire a Seattle Work Injury Attorney

Workplace injuries, even in the least dangerous jobs, are surprisingly common. If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t let your harm go unnoticed.

To help ensure that you get what you deserve, team up with a Seattle work injury lawyer at Craig Swapp & Associates. Give us a call at 1-800-404-9000 or fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.