Employees are often the first to be struck in a Maryland storefront crash. Perhaps you were working at the front desk of a nail salon when a pickup truck smashed through the front window. Maybe you were serving tables at a restaurant when a criminal driving a stolen vehicle broke through a wall. Whatever the case may be, you’re probably dealing with serious injuries – and you might be wondering about potential sources of compensation.
Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Storefront Crash?
As an injured worker in Maryland, you are fully within your rights to file a workers’ compensation claim after an accident on the job. However, this might fail to cover your full range of damages. Workers’ compensation only covers a certain number of expenses related to a workplace accident – including lost income and medical costs. Even then, a workers’ comp claim may only cover a certain percentage of these damages.
In contrast, a personal injury lawsuit covers 100% of your economic damages – including medical costs and lost income. A personal injury lawsuit also provides additional compensation for non-economic damages. These represent your psychological and emotional losses, and examples include loss of enjoyment of life, depression, anxiety, humiliation, emotional distress, pain & suffering, and disfigurement. Workers’ compensation does not cover non-economic damages.
Who Can I Sue as an Employee After a Storefront Crash?
Various negligent parties may be responsible for your storefront crash injuries. The most obvious defendant is the driver of the vehicle that crashed into the store. This individual may have been drunk, distracted, or fatigued. Perhaps they were relying on questionable “self-parking” software, or maybe they were fleeing from police officers at the time of the crash. Whatever the case may be, you may be able to pursue compensation from a negligent driver.
You might also decide to sue a property owner. Although workers’ compensation laws prevent you from suing your own employer, a different party may own the parking lot or the general mall area. You might argue that this property owner should have installed barriers or bollards to prevent storefront crashes.
Speak with an auto accident lawyer in Maryland to determine who might have contributed to your specific crash. People can contribute to these crashes in subtle ways that might not be immediately clear – and an experienced lawyer may be able to provide helpful insights. For example, the local police department may have contributed to a storefront crash by triggering a pursuit in violation of their own written policies.
Can a Baltimore Storefront Crash Lawyer Help?
A Baltimore personal injury lawyer may be able to help employees hurt in storefront crashes. At Furman Honick Law, we are well aware of how life-changing and traumatic these incidents can be. We have helped numerous injured plaintiffs pursue compensation after storefront crashes, and you may have various legal options as an injured worker. Call Furman Honick today to learn more about these options and speak with a partner for a free case evaluation.
Sources:
thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/port-dover-clothing-shop-picking-up-the-pieces-after-car-crashes-into-storefront/article_190acffc-0f16-508f-8cad-899cf1bc4179.html
cantonrep.com/story/news/accident/2024/11/05/marcs-in-alliance-opened-after-car-crashes-into-the-store/76043767007/