Minot Workplace Injury Lawyers

Minot worksite injury attorneys representing workers in third-party injury lawsuits

Many workers who are injured have a direct claim against a third party, in addition to or instead of their workers’ compensation claim. At Larson Law Firm P.C., our skilled North Dakota workplace injury lawyers leverage many years of legal experience to help clients who have been injured on the job. We’ll explain why you can file a personal injury or product liability claim. We demand compensation for all your medical bills, all your lost income, daily physical pain and suffering, and any property damages. We’ll work to restore your health and your ability to work again.

How can we help?

What types of third-party work injury claims do you handle?

When someone other than your employer or coworker causes injury to you while you are working within the scope of your employment, you have a right to file what is called a third-party liability claim. A third-party claim is a personal injury claim. It is not a workers’ compensation claim. At Larson Law Firm P.C., our Minot workplace injury lawyers are skilled at filing personal injury claims on behalf of injured workers against third parties. We also file wrongful death actions if your loved one was killed while working and a third party negligently caused your loved one’s death.

Generally, employees and independent contractors can both file personal injury claims against third parties. An employee is a worker whose duties and work performance are controlled by an employer. An independent contractor generally works for himself/herself.

Some of the different types of third-party claims our Minot work injury lawyers handle include:

Defective product claims

Many workers are injured on the job because the machines, equipment, and tools they use are defective. Products may be defective due to poor design, poor workmanship, failure to warn workers about the dangers of using the product, and faulty instructions.

At Larson Law Firm P.C., our skilled North Dakota workplace injury lawyers file defective product claims against the manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of these products. In these cases, called product liability cases, you just need to show the work product you used was defective when you used it and that the defect caused your injuries or the death of a loved one.

Our lawyers work with product safety experts who are skilled at showing why workplace products are defective. Makers of the products may be strictly liable. They may also be liable due to their negligence, such as failure to comply with Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations, and because they breached their warranties.

Some of the possible types of workplace product defects include defective:

  • Power tools, including electrical and hydraulic power tools
  • Hand tools for hammering welding, and other types of work
  • Transportation equipment, including forklifts, derricks, hoists, and cranes
  • Industrial equipment, such as conveyors and rotators
  • Office equipment
  • Construction equipment, including scaffolding
  • Oil rig equipment

Both employees and independent contractors can file a personal injury lawsuit if a dangerous or defective product caused them harm.

Dangerous property claims

Property owners owe a duty to people that they ask to do work on their property to ensure that the property is safe. Workers who trip and fall over objects, slip and fall on wet floors, or suffer harm that could have been prevented if the property owner had inspected the property, repaired any defects, and warned the worker about known dangers can file a personal injury claim against the employer.

Vehicle accident claims

Workers can file a third-party claim in Minot if they are involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t work for the same company as the worker. Workers may use their vehicles for different reasons, like:

  • Helping existing clients
  • Making sales to new clients
  • Making deliveries
  • Transporting construction materials to and from the construction sites
  • Conducting errands for their employer

If a vehicle accident victim can show that another driver was responsible for the accident, our Minot third-party work injury lawyers can file a car or truck accident claim on your behalf.

Claims against other companies who are not your employers

Some types of work, such as construction work, often involve more than one employer. A construction site may be managed by a general contractor. That contractor may then work with different subcontractors such as plumbers, masons, and electricians.

If anyone who works for a subcontractor (whether they’re an employee or an independent contractor) is injured due to the negligence of another subcontractor or the general contractor, that person can file a third-party claim against the responsible subcontractor or the general contractor.

At Larson Law Firm P.C., our skilled North Dakota workplace injury lawyers handle claims by a worker for one employer against another employer.

What types of claims can non-employees file if they’re injured while working in North Dakota?

North Dakota law distinguishes between employees and independent contractors. Independent contractors can file a personal injury claim against third parties and against their employer. Employees, unless they have a third-party claim, must file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer.

Generally, an employee is a worker that the employer controls. Employers don’t control the work of independent contractors. A worker who works full-time for the same employer at sites the employer selects using tools and equipment the employer provides is likely to be considered an employee. A worker who works for different people at different locations at times the worker (not the employer) chooses and uses his/her own work tools is likely to be considered an independent contractor.

Can employees ever file a lawsuit against their employer?

Generally, if the employer intentionally causes harm to the employee, then the employee can file a personal injury claim against the employer.

How much is my worksite injury claim worth?

When our Minot worksite injury lawyers file a claim against a manufacturer, property owner, driver, or any other third party; we seek the following damages:

  • All your current and future medical expenses.
  • All your lost wages, including wages you won’t earn in the future because you need more time to heal or because you have a permanent disability
  • Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Any property damage
  • Any scarring or disfigurement
  • Any loss of bodily function

A personal injury damage award may also include punitive damages, which are meant to punish the responsible party for unconscionable actions.

Do you have a Minot third-party work injury lawyer near me?

At Larson Law Firm P.C., our personal injury lawyers meet clients at our Minot office located at 1020 North Broadway. We do meet clients who are immobile or too ill at hospitals and other locations. We also conduct consultations by phone and through video conferences.

We’ll answer all your questions about third-party claims, explain your rights, and seek all the compensation you deserve.

Call today for a free consultation with an experienced North Dakota workplace injury lawyer

When personal injury and workers’ compensation claims overlap, you need to seek advice from an experienced Minot personal injury lawyer who handles cases in this area. Our legal team works hard to secure the full and fair compensation you deserve after an injury at work. Our attorneys know how to handle situations where workers’ compensation and personal injury claims overlap.

If you were injured in a workplace accident, call Larson Law Firm P.C. or complete our contact form to schedule your free initial consultation. From our offices in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo, we represent injured workers throughout North Dakota. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.