When most Kentucky residents think about product liability law, they think about salmonella causing foods, faulty wiring in a household appliance or even malfunctioning airbags. You may not consider that a workplace injury could also result in a product liability claim. For instance, your injuries may have been caused by a piece of defective equipment.
Since you were injured at work, you more than likely already filed a workers’ compensation claim to at least cover your medical expenses and the income you lose during your recovery. If you choose not to pursue the matter any further, you may lose out on potential restitution from a third party. Often, there are numerous factors involved in a work accident, and one of them may be due to the negligence of another party.
Perhaps the manufacturer of the equipment you were using at the time produced a defective product, which put you in danger and caused your injuries. Maybe the person or people who installed the equipment did so improperly. It might even be possible that one of your co-workers or someone else using the equipment made a crucial mistake that now leaves you unable to work, even if temporarily.
If the evidence shows that a piece of defective equipment led to your injuries, you may be able to seek restitution from a third party. Manufacturers, distributors and installers, among others, owe a duty to those who use the equipment to ensure it is safe. If you are unsure whether this would apply in your situation, you may want to discuss the matter with a Kentucky attorney who deals with injured workers who need workers’ compensation and who may also have a third-party claim against someone else.
