Columbia, SC personal injury attorney Mark D. Chappell talks about when a third party is liable for work-related injuries. He notes that in workplace injury cases, third-party liability can play a critical role in securing fair compensation. For example, if a truck driver is struck by another truck while on the interstate, the at-fault driver and their employer may be considered third parties. Similarly, if a worker is injured in a plant due to a machine malfunction, the manufacturer of that machine could be pursued as a third-party defendant.

He is currently representing an individual who suffered catastrophic injuries when a machine malfunctioned, projecting 1,800 degrees of salt across his body. The incident caused the loss of all his fingers and one of his legs. While the client has a valid workers’ compensation claim, he notes that such claims are limited and generally do not cover long-term medical needs, permanent disability, or pain and suffering. By pursuing the machine’s manufacturer under third-party liability, he seeks to hold the responsible party accountable and secure the compensation the client truly deserves.