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Workers’ Compensation Claims and Personal Injury Claim (Part B)

What Constitutes a Third-Party Liability Lawsuit?

To file a third-party liability lawsuit, it must be shown that someone other than your employer or co-worker was responsible for your work-related injuries. If you can demonstrate that a third-party's negligence led to your injuries in a Chicago work accident, then you may be able to receive compensation.

It's important to understand what is meant by "negligence." Negligence is when a person fails to act in a reasonable and careful way that would prevent you from becoming injured.

Compensatory and Punitive Damages

There is a difference between compensatory and punitive damages in a third-party liability case. Compensatory damages are to compensate you for pain and suffering that are a result of your injuries. Punitive damages are to punish the responsible party and to keep an incident like yours from happening again. For instance, a drunk driver would likely have to pay punitive damages.

Punitive damages can be more difficult to prove as it must be shown that the person's conduct was particularly egregious. In fact, most third-party liability claims don't involve punitive damages but will involve compensatory damages.

Similarities in Workers' Compensation Benefits and Third-Party Damages

There are some similarities in the benefits you could receive for Workers' Compensation and damages recovered in a third-party lawsuit. In both, you can receive compensation for medical expenses. Also, the compensation you receive in Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits-a Workers' Compensation benefit-is similar to the lost wages you can be compensated for in a third-party liability lawsuit.

However, an important difference is that with TTD benefits, you only receive 70% of your weekly wage, while in a liability lawsuit you can claim 100% of your lost wages.

Since there can be an overlap in available compensation, this complicates the process, which is why a Chicago injury lawyer should assist you.

Hiring a Chicago Injury Lawyer

During this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago injury lawyer can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.

The Chicago personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - (312) 263-1080.

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
5215 Old Orchard Road
Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

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