Timonium Third-Party Injury Claim Lawyers

Trusted Attorneys Representing Workers in Third-Party Injury Claims in Timonium, MD

If you are injured at work, your first avenue of payment may be workers' compensation. This option is especially convenient because it does not require you to show that your employer was at fault. However, if the injury was caused by a party other than your employer, such as an outside contractor or a negligent driver, you could file a third-party injury claim instead.

This can open doors to payment that may not be available in a standard workers' compensation claim, but these claims also require hard proof. At Posner & Cord, LLC, our Timonium, Maryland third-party injury lawyers can help you file a claim against the party at fault and seek real payment for your damages. In our years of practice, we have recovered millions for clients by building detailed claims and fighting for our clients' rights in negotiation and litigation.

Who Can Be Held at Fault in a Third-Party Injury Claim?

In a third-party injury claim, fault can fall on any person or company other than your employer whose carelessness contributed to your workplace injury. Maryland's workers' compensation system generally prevents injured employees from suing their own employers, but it does not shield outside parties from responsibility.

The responsible party depends on how the injury happened. A worker who is hit by a negligent driver while making deliveries or traveling between job sites may have a claim against that driver. If a defective machine, power tool, or safety harness caused the injury, the manufacturer or distributor may be liable. On construction sites, general contractors and subcontractors from other companies can be responsible for hazards they created or failed to correct. Property owners, equipment rental companies, and maintenance contractors may also share fault in some cases.

What Is Contributory Negligence?

Contributory negligence is a legal rule that can prevent an injured person from recovering compensation if they share any fault whatsoever for an accident. Maryland is one of only a few places in the country that still follows this rule. Under it, a worker who is found even slightly responsible for their own injury may be denied payment.

This rule creates an important difference between workers' comp and third-party claims. Workers' comp benefits are generally available regardless of fault, so a mistake on your part usually will not stop those benefits. A third-party claim, however, can be lost entirely if the defense convinces a jury that you contributed to the accident. Defendants often argue that an injured worker ignored safety training, failed to use protective equipment, or knowingly took a risk.

There are limited situations where a claim may still succeed despite some fault by the injured person, such as when the defendant had a final, clear opportunity to prevent the harm and did not take it. Careful investigation and strong evidence are often necessary to overcome contributory negligence arguments.

What Compensation Can You Get Through a Third-Party Injury Claim in Maryland?

A third-party injury claim in Maryland can provide compensation that workers' comp does not cover. Workers' comp generally pays only part of your lost wages and does not include payment for pain and suffering. A third-party claim can seek your full lost income, including future earnings if your injury limits your ability to work.

You may also recover compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, and the loss of activities you enjoyed before the injury. In cases involving serious or permanent injuries, these damages can be substantial. Keep in mind that the workers' comp insurer may have a right to be repaid from your third-party recovery for benefits it has already paid. Planning for this repayment from the start helps you understand what you will actually receive.

Meet With Our Timonium, Maryland Third-Party Injury Attorneys

At Posner & Cord, LLC, we investigate every party connected to your workplace injury and build third-party claims designed to withstand contributory negligence arguments. Contact our Timonium, MD third-party injury lawyers or call 410-252-0600 to arrange a complimentary consultation.