It is fairly common for workers injured on the Job to have both workers compensation claims and third party personal injury claims as well. The scenario can present from car and truck accidents while engaged in employment responsibilities, construction site mishaps with general contractors responsible for the safety lapses causing injury and sometimes factory workers hurt because of defective machinery or equipment. In such instances it is helpful if the lawyer handling the file has familiarity and competence as to both in order to maximize both the gross level of recovery and the net recovery after taking into account and negotiating lien issues that are present whenever the employer's workers compensation carrier pays for medical bills incurred or lost wages.
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An experienced lawyer with expertise in both the personal injury field and workers compensation given Connecticut's statutory scheme which touches upon employer immunity for ordinary negligence, lien waiver and reduction issue and subrogation rights to collect from legally liable third parties, can be extremely valuable to the ultimate outcome. IN addition, maintaining good lines of communication and a solid reputation for dealing fairly and competently with such issues is invaluable in negotiating liens with workers compensation defense firms who regularly seek to collect such liens on behalf of the employer's insurance companies who have made payments to injured workers or on their behalf. Such relationships and familiarity breeds the best possible results most of the time.
