When you sustain injuries in an accident, you have the right to take legal action seeking compensation for your damages. However, workers’ compensation and personal injury claims are often confused for one another. It’s wise to learn more about both so you can effectively launch your case without obstacles. The following guide outlines the differences between the two.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation cases refer to any injuries sustained by full-time employees while they’re on the clock. In these cases, it doesn’t matter if the employee maintained any fault in the accident. As long as your attorney can prove that you took the necessary steps to follow your workplace’s rules, you should be able to recover benefits, including medical care and lost wages.

Workers’ compensation benefits are not meant to be a long-term solution to damages, however. These payments are geared to only provide temporary financial relief while the employee recovers. If you’re unable to return to your previous field, workers’ compensation benefits might include vocational rehabilitation to help you enter a new position and provide for yourself.

Personal Injury

Unlike workers’ compensation, personal injury claims depend on your attorney’s ability to prove the fault or negligence of another party. If the court determines that you were even partially responsible for your damages, they may not award any benefits. 

Personal injury claims involve one individual going against either another individual or an entity, such as a hospital, company, or government body. Common cases that fall under this include car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, and defective devices. 

The benefits associated with this kind of claim have no embargo on how long they may be provided. Compensation may cover loss of wages, medical care, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and potential loss of income. 

If you need help filing a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim, talk to the knowledgeable professionals at Bellotti Law Group, P.C. in the Greater Boston area. Focusing heavily on workers’ compensation and personal injuries allow these attorneys to bring a specialized understanding of the law to each case they take on. Visit their website for more information on their practice and call (617) 778-1000 to schedule a consultation.