Workers hurt while at their jobs have two potential sources of compensation for the physical injury suffered.

First, there is workers' compensation, a state- and employer-funded benefits program that usually compensates injured workers for medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation. Workers' compensation is helpful, but it covers only the basics.

Second, injured workers also have the right to seek monetary damages caused by negligent third parties who may have been responsible for the injury. One third party might be a manufacturer whose defectively designed equipment lacked a guard to protect fingers from being crushed. Another third party could be a negligent driver who caused injuries to an employee driving on the job.

Workers generally have the right to seek redress from third parties who contribute to their injuries, compensation that may be unavailable from workers' compensation programs. This might cover current compensation for pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of earning capacity, as well as anticipated needs, such as future medical bills and future lost wages.

Anyone injured on the job should seek legal counsel.