Severely Hurt at Work? Here's What You Need to Know

Workplace accidents happen; it’s a fact of life. 

But when the accident leaves you with a severe injury, causing permanent damage, long-term disability, or even psychological trauma, the stakes are exponentially higher.

A broken bone or mild concussion may heal with time, but spinal injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or chemical burns can change your life forever, leaving you to suffer with more than just pain, including mounting medical bills, lost wages from an inability to work, and more.

If you've suffered a severe injury at work or if you're helping a loved one navigate recovery and legal options, You may be entitled to much more than what workers' compensation provides, and Morgan & Morgan is here to help you fight for it.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

What Qualifies as a Severe Workplace Injury?

A severe workplace injury is any injury that leads to long-term impairment, significant medical treatment, or loss of earning capacity. These injuries often require months or years of recovery, ongoing therapy, or permanent lifestyle changes.

Some examples include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
• Severe burns or chemical exposure
• Loss of limb (amputation)
• Internal organ damage
• Crushed limbs from machinery
• Long-term respiratory illness from inhaling toxic substances
• PTSD or other psychological disorders resulting from traumatic workplace events

These injuries don’t just affect the injured worker—they impact families, finances, and future plans. That’s why legal action may be necessary to pursue full and fair compensation.

Workers' Compensation: A Starting Point, Not the Finish Line

Most employers in the U.S. are required to carry workers' compensation insurance, which provides benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault. These benefits typically include:

• Medical treatment
• A portion of lost wages
• Disability benefits (temporary or permanent)
• Vocational rehabilitation, in some cases

However, workers' compensation has limits. It doesn’t allow for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or punitive damages. In many severe injury cases, that’s simply not enough.

When Workers' Compensation Isn’t Enough

In some cases, you may be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit in addition to collecting workers’ comp. This might be possible if:

• A third party (not your employer or coworker) was responsible for your injury
• Defective machinery or tools caused your accident
• Your employer intentionally created an unsafe work environment
• You were injured in a workplace assault
• Safety protocols or OSHA regulations were knowingly violated

Filing a lawsuit in these situations could allow you to recover additional compensation beyond what’s provided by workers’ comp.

What Jobs Can Lead to Severe Injury Lawsuits?

Construction Site Accidents

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. Workers are exposed to heavy machinery, scaffolding, hazardous materials, and often work at great heights. A fall from even two stories can result in paralysis or death.

If a subcontractor, crane operator, or equipment manufacturer played a role in your injury, a third-party lawsuit may be possible.

Manufacturing and Industrial Settings

Factory workers are often exposed to moving parts, conveyor belts, and high-pressure systems. If safety guards are missing or machines are defective, serious injuries such as amputations or crush injuries can occur.

Employers may be held liable if they ignored safety warnings or bypassed safeguards to speed up production.

Warehouse and Logistics Work

Warehouse jobs are physically demanding and come with high risks: forklift accidents, falling inventory, and repetitive strain injuries. If a third-party delivery vendor, equipment maker, or even the property owner contributed to the unsafe environment, you could sue outside the scope of workers' comp.

Toxic Exposure in Laboratories or Plants

Injuries involving chemical burns, radiation exposure, or carcinogenic materials can have long-lasting consequences. If proper training, ventilation, or personal protective equipment (PPE) wasn’t provided, your employer or the chemical supplier may be at fault.

Office Jobs and Workplace Violence

Not all severe injuries involve hard hats and heavy machinery. Workers can suffer debilitating harm from workplace violence, falls, or chronic psychological trauma. If your employer failed to address known risks, they may be legally liable.

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Workplace Injury?

If you’ve been hurt on the job, your first instinct might be to file a workers’ compensation claim, and that’s often the right move. What many workers don’t realize, however, is that workers’ comp isn’t always the only option. 

Depending on the circumstances of your injury, other parties may be legally liable for your damages, and you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to receiving workers’ comp benefits.

Here’s who may be held liable in a workplace injury case:

Your Employer (in Certain Circumstances)

Most of the time, employers are protected from lawsuits by the workers’ compensation system. However, there are exceptions, including:

• Intentional harm or gross negligence
• Failure to provide legally required safety equipment
• Retaliation after reporting hazards or injuries
• Operating without workers’ compensation coverage (which is illegal in many states)

In these cases, your employer may be directly sued for your injuries.

Third Parties (Vendors, Contractors, Drivers, etc.)

If someone who doesn’t work for your employer contributed to your injury, you may be able to sue that third party for negligence. Examples include:

• A delivery driver who caused a crash while you were working
• A subcontractor who failed to secure scaffolding at a construction site
• A property owner who failed to maintain safe premises where you were working offsite

In these cases, you can file a third-party lawsuit seeking compensation above and beyond what workers’ comp pays.

Product or Equipment Manufacturers

If your injury was caused by defective machinery, safety gear, or tools, you may have a product liability case against the manufacturer, distributor, or designer. Examples include:

• Faulty power tools that explode or malfunction
• Defective harnesses or fall-protection gear
• Malfunctioning forklifts or heavy equipment

These cases can be complex, but they may result in substantial compensation.

Maintenance Companies or Safety Inspectors

Sometimes, employers contract third-party companies to inspect, repair, or maintain machinery, electrical systems, or buildings. If negligence by one of these companies contributed to your accident, they may be held legally responsible.

Coworkers (in Rare Cases)

Most states don’t allow lawsuits against coworkers for accidents on the job—but there are exceptions. If a coworker intentionally harmed you (such as in a workplace assault), you may be able to sue them personally for damages.

Government Entities

If you were injured while working in or around public infrastructure, city buildings, or government projects, a local or state government agency could be responsible. These cases often require special procedures and deadlines—sometimes as short as 30–90 days to file a notice of claim.

Workers’ comp benefits are limited and often don’t fully cover lost income, pain and suffering, or long-term care. Identifying all parties who may be liable allows you to pursue additional damages and hold negligent individuals or companies accountable.

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys investigate every angle of a workplace injury case. We’ll dig deep to uncover all responsible parties and build a case that maximizes your compensation.

How to File a Severe Workplace Injury Lawsuit

Filing a lawsuit after a serious workplace injury can feel overwhelming—especially when you're trying to heal. Morgan & Morgan can guide you through each step, but here’s a general breakdown of the process:

1. Seek Medical Treatment Immediately

Even if the injury seems minor at first, symptoms of severe trauma can develop later. Always get prompt medical attention, and be honest about your symptoms. Your medical records will play a crucial role in your case.

2. Report the Injury to Your Employer

You must notify your employer promptly. Failing to report it in time could jeopardize your eligibility for workers’ comp and harm your legal case.

3. File a Workers’ Comp Claim

Even if you plan to sue, you’ll likely need to go through the workers’ comp process first. Keep detailed records of your injury, expenses, and time off work.

4. Consult a Workplace Injury Attorney at Morgan & Morgan

This is where Morgan & Morgan can help. We’ll review your situation to see if your case qualifies for a personal injury lawsuit or even a product liability or negligence claim.

5. Investigation and Evidence Collection

Our legal team will gather critical evidence, including:

• Surveillance footage or photos of the accident
• OSHA safety reports
• Eyewitness statements
• Expert medical testimony
• Equipment inspection reports
• Employer safety records
  
   

6. Settlement Negotiations or Trial

Most cases settle out of court, but if the other side won’t offer a fair deal, we aren’t afraid to go to trial. Morgan & Morgan has a proven track record of winning cases involving life-altering injuries.

Damages You May Be Entitled To

In a severe injury lawsuit, compensation can go beyond medical bills and basic income replacement. You may be able to recover:

• Full lost wages (past and future)
• Medical expenses (including long-term care and therapy)
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages, in extreme negligence cases
• Wrongful death damages, if a loved one passed due to a workplace injury
  
   

Can I Sue My Employer Directly?

In most states, you cannot sue your employer directly due to workers' compensation laws. However, there are exceptions, such as:

• Intentional harm
• Gross negligence
• Retaliation or unsafe work conditions knowingly ignored

What if I’m Partially at Fault?

Even if you made a mistake that contributed to your injury, you may still be eligible for compensation. States have different rules for comparative negligence, but a qualified attorney can help you navigate them.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Morgan & Morgan?

Morgan & Morgan’s work injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your case comes to a successful conclusion. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Your Injury Doesn’t Have to Define the Rest of Your Life – Contact Morgan & Morgan Today

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand how devastating a severe workplace injury can be—the physical pain, the lost opportunities, the stress on your family, and the uncertainty about the future.

For all of that hardship, you deserve more than just the bare minimum from workers’ comp. You deserve justice. Our team is ready to fight for every dollar you’re owed and hold negligent parties accountable.

We’ve recovered billions for clients across the country, and we’re ready to fight for you.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious workplace injury, don’t wait. Time limits apply, and the evidence you need could be lost if you delay.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.