Workplace accidents can occur due to factors outside of everyone’s control. Inclement weather, machinery malfunctions and a host of other sudden and uncontrollable occurrences can lead to workers getting hurt on the job.
Occasionally, someone in the workplace is responsible for a workplace incident. A co-worker might make a mistake when handling heavy equipment or leave a spill unattended to, leading to another person slipping and falling.
If a workplace incident is clearly the result of a co-worker’s mistake or negligence, what rights do injured employees have?
Employers are liable for worker errors
The legal doctrine of respondeat superior generally makes businesses responsible for the negligence and misconduct of their workers while they are on the clock, performing work tasks. The company has vicarious liability even when an employee is clearly the party at fault.
However, injured workers typically cannot make direct compensation claims against their employers for on-the-job injuries. The no-fault protection provided by workers’ compensation fully indemnifies businesses from financial liability in cases where professionals get hurt on the job.
When a coworker is to blame for an on-the-job accident, the injured employee may have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. They can potentially receive benefits that help them pay for their medical care and that replace their lost wages.
Workers’ compensation claims can easily become complicated, especially if workers don’t report workplace accidents out of fear of endangering someone else’s employment. Discussing job injuries with a workers’ compensation attorney can help people understand the claims process and make sense of complex workplace liability rules.