In 2012, there were nearly 3 million incidents of US workers becoming ill or injured on the job in 2012.[1] About 12,000 of those cases involved intentional injury by other persons in the workplace, including injuries inflicted by co-workers.[2]
  1. An injury from a fellow employee can come in the form of violence, harassment, sabotage, negligence or reckless indifference.
  2. An employee or contractor can be injured when a co-worker accidentally backs a truck into the scaffolding or ladder they are standing on.
  3. A slip and fall injury can occur when a co-worker fails to put up a “Slippery Floor” sign after washing or waxing the floor at a work site.
  4. Sometimes a co-worker will strike, threaten or sexually harass a fellow employee. Or they may sabotage a co-worker’s equipment or personal property. Sometimes a co-worker engaging in “horseplay” pushes another worker into a dangerous machine or vehicle. Or they might leave a machine on that should have been switched off, let the machine fall into a state of poor maintenance, or fail to warn a co-worker of a malfunction.

Whatever your situation, it is vital that you know your rights and get the right guidance before filing your worker’s compensation claim, particularly if you have questions about the possibility of suing your co-worker.

Coworker Violence, Harassment, and Negligence

Intentional injuries from a co-worker can take many forms, including:

  • Violent confrontations in the workplace, including physical and/or verbal assault
  • Certain forms of sexual harassment
  • Threats of violence from a co-worker
  • Sabotage of a co-worker or manager causing damage to his or her property
  • Armed robbery by a co-worker
  • Suicide in the workplace
  • Hostage incidents in the workplace[3]

Injuries can also result from a co-worker’s negligence or reckless indifference to your safety. Careless and reckless co-workers cause thousands of on-the-job injuries each year, ranging from slips and falls to tools and equipment left in unsafe conditions, to collapsing ladders and scaffolding.

A claim based on a co-worker’s gross negligence may lead to additional damages being paid under the workers’ compensation system, including damages for pain and suffering. The right legal guidance is necessary for building the strongest possible workers’ compensation case.

In many cases, suing a co-worker may not be possible. In that case, our attorneys will build the strongest workers’ compensation claim possible, with all facts stated clearly and in a way that powerfully builds your case.

All facts and evidence must be gathered as soon as possible, and the claim made within a certain time period after the injury, to ensure a successful claim and fair and just compensation.

Contact us now to learn more about how we can help with your injury by a fellow worker claim. There is no risk or obligation. We charge you no legal fees unless we recover money damages for you. Call us today at 800-529-4030 for a free consultation, and start claiming fair and just compensation for what you have suffered.

work injury lawyer

When You Are Injured on the Job

If you become ill or injured because of your job, it is vital that you:

  • Get immediate medical help. If needed, call an ambulance or other transportation to get to a doctor’s office or hospital. Your employer is required to pay for that transportation, so don’t hesitate to call for the right help, even if you don’t have health insurance.
  • Immediately tell your doctor that your injury or illness is work-related. Get a medical certificate from your doctor stating that the injuries or illness occurred while you were performing your job duties.
  • Follow all of the doctor’s orders to aid your full recovery. Do not let your medical care lapse—show up for every appointment and take medication and other instructions as given. Otherwise your employer’s insurance company may refuse to accept that you are still injured and in need of compensation.
  • Report the work-related illness or injury to your employer as soon as possible. Follow the protocol and procedures of your workplace, such as recording the details of the accident or illness in a register of injuries.
  • Call on a team of highly qualified attorneys, such as those at Gay & Chacker. We will immediately go to work to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is prepared in a way that will bring you maximum compensation.
  • If you are able to return to work, follow any return-to-work procedures your company might have.
  • Understand and follow all of the rules of your workers’ compensation carrier. If you violate any part of those rules, you may lose some of your benefits.

It is illegal for your employer to try to stop you from reporting your work-related illness or injury, or to try to persuade you to not report an injury, illness, death, or hazardous condition to that employer, the state, or your doctor.

Your employer may also tell you that you and your family will be compensated for your losses and damages, outside of the workers’ compensation system. The accident is then quickly forgotten or denied, leaving you without compensation for medical expenses or lost wages.

Protect your rights. Contact Gay & Chacker as soon as possible after you are injured, or have a family member do so. We will persistently pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries, all losses, and pain and suffering.

Types of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Many things contribute to or cause work-related illness or injury, including:

  • Faulty machinery
  • Explosions
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Falling objects
  • Falling from heights
  • Physical overexertion
  • Ladder & Scaffolding Accidents
  • Company vehicle accidents

Our attorneys have decades of experience in handling all types of injury claims, including:

Physical evidence and eyewitness memories can disappear or fade quickly. Your employer may also try to destroy or throw out items that are important to your case.

If you or someone you love is injured while performing work duties, Gay & Chacker’s workers’ compensation and personal injury attorneys will work hard to your protect rights, including the right to full and fair compensation for current and future medical expenses, therapy and rehabilitation, current and future lost income, disability, pain and suffering, and/or wrongful death.

Our attorneys will ensure that eyewitness accounts are recorded and that all necessary evidence is collected. We will also ensure that any damaged equipment is preserved as-is, to better build your claim and to determine who was at fault. We will guide you every step of the way in the workers’ compensation process, and in any personal injury lawsuit.

Protecting Your Legal Rights

If you or someone you love has been injured by the actions or negligence of a co-worker, you will need immediate legal guidance and representation.

Based in Philadelphia, Gay & Chacker workers’ compensation/injury by a co-worker attorneys have the legal know-how, wisdom and experience to help you build the strongest possible claim. We will also advise you as to whether it is possible or necessary to sue the co-worker who caused the injuries.

Our dedicated workers’ compensation and personal injury attorneys will be tenacious in pursuing maximum compensation to cover your current and future losses, including lost wages and benefits, current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and in the case of the death of a loved one, death benefit.

We will immediately gather all medical and technical evidence, including the testimony of medical experts, to build the strongest possible compensation claim for you, including representing you in court if necessary.

Whether you live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or a surrounding state, we will keep you informed every step of the way, returning your calls and guiding you through the claims process.

Contact us now to learn more about how we can help with your injury by a fellow worker claim. There is no risk or obligation. We charge you no legal fees unless we recover money damages for you. Call us today at 800-529-4030 for a free consultation, and start claiming fair and just compensation for what you have suffered.

[1] http://www.bls.gov/iif/
[2] http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshfaq1.htm#q07
[3] http://www.mediate.com/articles/larsen.cfm