Injuries Caused By A Co-Worker: What's The Legal Route?


When a work-related injury is discussed, there is often the presumption that the employer is either directly or indirectly to blame. However, a portion of injuries that occur on the job are instead caused by another employee, which often leads to many concerns.

Details Matter

After an injury, the main priority of the victim is to find out whether or not their injuries will be covered. Unfortunately, the details matter a lot when it comes to providing an answer to this concern. For the most part, if the negligent co-worker caused your injury while you were not performing an official work-related duty, the injury might not be covered. 

For instance, if two employees were on a lunch break outside playing catch and one person fell and broke their arm, their injury is the result of their actions. After all, the employer did not tell the person to play catch. 

Employer Responsibilities

An employer is responsible for every official task that takes place inside the building. So, provided you were engaging in an official work duty, the employer will likely have some level of legal responsibility concerning your injuries.

Take two people that work on an assembly line, for instance. One employee is new, and the other has been there for several years. Assume the new employee was not trained properly, did not perform an important safety step, and caused the other employee to be injured. In this instance, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure every team member is trained, and therefore, their negligence is the reason for the person's injuries. 

Informing an Employer

Speak up right away whenever you are injured, even if it's by a co-worker. Work-related injury cases are often costly because not only are there costs related to medical treatment, but the victim is often compensated for missed time from work. 

Unfortunately, some companies will do everything in their power to diminish the value of these cases, and if you have an injury caused by a co-worker that you fail to report promptly, you're giving them an easy way to accomplish their goal. You need to formally inform your employer of your injury as soon as possible. 

There is no way to decisively say an injury is or is not covered as a work-related issue. Only after a careful review of the incident and all the facts can this determination be reached. For this reason, it's a good idea to have a work injury assistance company review your situation to help you determine how to move forward. Visit sites such as https://midwestinjuryhelp.com/ for more information.

About Me

Latest Posts

12 February 2024
Estate planning stands as an essential aspect of financial management, often overlooked until a pressing need arises. It involves the strategic organi

15 November 2023
Many people assume that writing a will is an easy task that they can handle on their own. However, planning your estate does not only involve dividing

15 November 2023
Being charged with a DUI can be a daunting experience. It's a situation that demands the expertise of a professional — a DUI attorney. These legal exp