In many professions, it is necessary for workers to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep themselves safe. This is often issued by the employer, but there are also cases where workers will buy the equipment on their own and bring it to the job site.
One potential problem that can occur is if a worker is given defective or inadequate PPE. They may think they are being protected from workplace hazards, but they later suffer long-term harm.
For example, say that workers are issued defective earmuffs or earplugs that do not actually protect them from excessive noise levels in the workplace. They may fully believe that the equipment they have is preventing hearing loss, but the cumulative effect of long-term exposure can cause irreversible damage. This can change the course of a person’s life, as hearing loss is often permanent.
A third-party lawsuit
In cases like this, because defective products are involved, employees may want to consider their rights to both workers’ comp benefits and a third-party lawsuit.
If they miss time at work because of their injuries, or if they need medical treatment, workers’ comp can cover some of those costs – lost wages and medical bills. But a third-party lawsuit may also give them the option to sue the manufacturer of the defective equipment, seeking further compensation. This is also true for defective machinery, power tools, harnesses and safety systems, and much more.
Seeking full compensation after an on-the-job injury
PPE for hearing loss is just one example of defective equipment that could cause injury on the job. Employees need to know exactly what legal options they have.
