I was hurt on the job, can I sue?
If you are hurt at work you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. In New York, you cannot sue your employer or co-employee. However, if your injury was caused by a party other than your employer or a co-worker, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit. Often and in most construction accidents the injured worker can file a workers’ compensation claim and sue the third party as well. Responsible parties for your injuries may include: • property owners; • the owner of the building or structure; • the general or prime contractor; • the project or construction manager; • other contractors and subcontractors; • even equipment manufacturers. The benefit to a third-party lawsuit is that an injured construction worker can recover additional money beyond the limited amounts available under the workers’ compensation system. Those additional money damages may include: • pain and suffering; • lost wages; • lost income; • loss of annuity; • loss of pension; • loss of Soci
