Workplace Injury Lawyers in Birmingham

Did you get hurt at work because someone from outside your company made a dangerous mistake? Don’t assume workers’ comp is your only path forward. If a third party caused your injury, you might have a separate legal claim that can help you recover more.

A lawyer from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can review your case, investigate what happened, and help you explore your legal options. Our team has over 20 years of experience helping injured workers in Birmingham and throughout Alabama. We know how to take on outside contractors, property owners, and equipment makers who don’t follow safety rules.

Call us today at (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to get started with your free consultation. You won’t pay any legal fees unless we recover money for you.

What Is a Third-Party Workplace Injury Claim?

A third-party workplace injury claim is a compensation claim you file against someone other than your employer. These claims involve outside contractors, drivers, property owners, companies that make tools or equipment, or other parties. If their actions or inaction led to your work-related injury or illness, you could hold them legally responsible in a third-party claim.

These claims are different from workers’ compensation claims in several ways. First, you must show that the other party caused you harm. You also need to prove that person or business had a duty to act safely. This is different from a workers’ comp case, which usually does not require proof of fault.

You can also recover more types of compensation from a third-party claim. For example, you can seek compensation for the full value of your lost wages and for pain and suffering. These types of compensation are not available in workers’ comp claims. If someone who doesn’t work for your employer caused you harm while you were working, it’s worth speaking with a lawyer who handles these specific kinds of cases.

Examples of Third-Party Liability at Work

If someone other than your employer caused your workplace injury, you might have a legal claim against the person or company at fault. Below are some example scenarios in which a third party could be liable for a workplace accident, injury, or illness:

• A delivery truck driver runs a red light and hits a utility worker in a marked roadside zone. The actions of the driver, who doesn’t work for the utility company, injure the utility worker.
• An outside contractor leaves exposed wires in an office building during renovations. Later on, a worker from another business trips and falls over the wires.
• A cleaning company uses harsh chemicals without warning staff in a shared kitchen. An employee from another company develops breathing problems after exposure to the fumes.
• A ladder collapses while in use because the manufacturer used defective locking mechanisms. The fall causes broken bones and missed work time for the person using the equipment.
• A roofing subcontractor tosses debris off the side of a building without checking the area below. A flooring crew member working nearby gets struck in the shoulder by falling materials.
• A third-party security guard ignores a broken stairwell light for weeks. A warehouse worker unfamiliar with the building misses a step and suffers a back injury on the way down.

Why Third-Party Injury Claims Matter

Third-party injury claims can help you recover more than a regular workers’ compensation case. Workers’ comp only pays part of your lost wages and medical bills. It does not pay for pain, mental stress, or loss of quality of life, but a third-party claim can. These cases also allow you to hold outside parties responsible. That matters when someone else’s unsafe practices put you in danger.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Third-Party Workplace Injury Case?

Not every work injury happens because of something an employee or employer does. Here are some examples of outside parties who could be responsible for on-the-job injuries:

• Subcontractors on construction sites who ignore safety steps or rush their work
• Manufacturers that sell faulty machines, tools, or safety gear
• Owners of properties with hazards like uneven floors or poor lighting
• Delivery drivers who make unsafe moves or ignore traffic rules
• Cleaning crews that leave floors wet, block exits, or use toxic chemicals without notice
• Repair and maintenance contractors who do sloppy work
• Security companies or guards who allow unsafe conditions that lead to injury

How an Attorney Can Investigate Third-Party Negligence

When you hire a lawyer after a workplace injury or illness, they do more than just file papers. They look into what happened and why. Your attorney can visit the scene of the incident, speak with witnesses, and review job site photos. They can check safety records to find out which companies were present. If a machine or tool failed, they might even hire an expert to study the item. If exposure to a toxic chemical made you sick, they can track down suppliers and check for missing warnings.

An experienced attorney will know how to spot signs of carelessness by outside parties. They can look beyond your employer’s role to find the real cause. This kind of detailed fact-finding is essential for building a strong case. It helps you prove who should pay and what your case is worth. A lawyer’s investigation can make a big difference in your recovery.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury Involving Third-Party Negligence

If you got hurt at work and think someone outside your company might be responsible, you need to act quickly. Alabama law gives you a limited time to file a legal claim. You also need to gather details while the facts are still fresh. Taking the right steps early on can protect your rights and help you build a strong case. Here’s what you should do:

• Get medical care right away and tell your doctor exactly how the injury happened.
• Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any factors that might have played a role.
• Write down the names and contact details of any witnesses who saw the incident occur.
• Hang on to the clothing, tools, or equipment you were using when the injury occurred.
• Avoid talking to insurance companies or signing anything without first speaking with a lawyer.
• Save medical records, bills, and anything else that shows how the injury affected your life.
• Contact a lawyer who handles third-party work injury claims to discuss your case.

Why Choose Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP for Your Third-Party Workplace Injury Case?

If you suffered a serious injury at work due to the negligence of a third party, Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can help. Our lawyers have handled workplace cases involving unsafe equipment, careless contractors, and dangerous job sites for more than 20 years. We know how to build strong cases against large companies, vendors, and property owners and have recovered millions for workers across Alabama.

When insurance companies offer low settlements, we push back. Our trial team prepares every case for court and never backs down from a fight. We charge no fees unless we win and offer free case reviews. When you work with us, you get a team that knows Alabama law inside and out. We live here, we work here, and we stand up for injured workers here every day. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.

Contact a Workplace Injury Attorney in Alabama

If you got hurt at work because of someone else’s actions, call Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP today at (205) 324-1212 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer for free. Our team can look into your case, answer your questions, and explain your rights.