Workplace Injuries in Kitsap
It's not always easy to understand your rights in a job-related accident claim. You'll probably be able to file for workers' compensation benefits, but you need to keep in mind that only your lost wages and medical expenses will be covered. You can't sue your employer for personal injury damages, but you might be able to hold someone else accountable for the full range of your losses in a workplace injury accident.
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At J. Michael Koch & Associates, P.S., Inc., our attorneys advise clients about all aspects of job injury claims. We will investigate whether you have a third-party lawsuit — one where you can establish the liability of someone other than your employer or a co-worker for negligence. We will also advise you about dealing with the state Department of Labor and Industries, which will probably want to take assignment of your right to personal injury claims as you fill out your Washington workers' comp application.
The classic workplace injury case that will support a claim for personal injury damages while your workers' comp case is pending is a motor vehicle accident suffered while you were driving in the scope of your employment. Only by odd coincidence will the other driver be a co-worker also driving in the line of duty. In a work-related truck or car accident case, you'll normally be able to collect workers' compensation while you settle or litigate your personal injury claim with the other driver.
Here are some other situations that will often support a personal injury lawsuit for work-related accidents:
- Construction site accidents.
- Maintenance or repair injuries suffered at a customer's site.
- Shipyard, factory or warehouse accidents caused by a third party's negligence.
- Accidents related to dangerous property conditions or unsafe machinery.
With more than 35 years of trial experience in Kitsap and western Washington, Mike Koch knows how to investigate, develop and present evidence as to liability and damages in disputed workplace injury cases. He can protect you from mistakes on the workers' comp side of your case while concentrating on recovering the greatest amount possible in your personal injury lawsuit.
The lawyers of J. Michael Koch & Associates offer free case evaluations for injured workers in Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo or any of the communities associated with Naval Base Kitsap. Contact our office in Silverdale for more information about your legal rights.
