$
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Recovered in Verdicts and Settlements
When a workplace accident happens, most people think first of workers’ compensation or potential claims against an employer. But in many cases, another party entirely may be responsible—or partially responsible—for the harm you’ve suffered. These situations fall under what’s known as third-party liability.
Unlike workers’ comp, which offers limited benefits and bars lawsuits against employers in most situations, third-party claims can open the door to full financial recovery. They also provide a vital path to justice when an injury wasn’t simply an unfortunate event, but the result of someone else’s negligence.
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers represent workers who have suffered serious, preventable injuries caused by third parties. We do not handle workers’ compensation claims. Instead, we focus on building strong cases against manufacturers, contractors, vendors, and others whose actions created unsafe conditions.
Third-party liability refers to the legal responsibility of a person or entity who is not your employer but contributed to your injury. In these situations, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the third party in addition to receiving workers’ comp benefits from your employer.
These cases are especially important because third parties—unlike employers—do not have immunity from lawsuits under most workers’ compensation systems. That means you may be able to pursue compensation for the full extent of your damages, including pain and suffering and long-term disability.
The lawyers at Nix Patterson can help you identify whether a third party contributed to your injury and explain your options clearly and thoroughly.
Third-party liability can arise in a wide range of workplace situations. These are some of the most common scenarios we investigate:
If you were injured by malfunctioning tools, safety devices, or heavy machinery, the manufacturer or distributor of that product may be liable. These cases often involve claims of design flaws, poor assembly, or a failure to provide adequate warnings.
On construction sites or industrial projects, it’s common for multiple companies to work side by side. If a subcontractor failed to follow safety procedures and caused your injury, that company may be held accountable.
In warehousing, retail, and logistics settings, workers are often injured by third-party delivery drivers or transport vehicles operating on or near the job site. The driver’s employer or contractor may be liable if they were negligent.
If your injury occurred while working at a location owned by someone other than your employer—such as a client’s site or leased facility—you may have a premises liability claim. Property owners have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment.
These are just a few examples. Our team investigates each case thoroughly to determine who may be liable and to pursue all available paths to recovery.
Workers’ compensation serves a purpose, but it comes with strict limits. It typically covers only medical bills and a portion of lost wages, and it does not allow for recovery of pain and suffering or other non-economic damages.
A third-party lawsuit, by contrast, gives you the opportunity to pursue a much broader range of compensation. This can include:
Too many injured workers don’t realize they may have legal options outside the workers’ comp system. If your injury involved unsafe equipment, untrained personnel, or dangerous conditions created by someone other than your employer, the lawyers at Nix Patterson can help you understand what’s possible.
Successfully bringing a third-party liability claim requires more than pointing to a dangerous situation or naming a responsible party. These cases rely on a clear legal framework and a carefully documented sequence of events. The lawyers at Nix Patterson know how to build claims that meet the high bar of proof required in civil court.
To prevail in a third-party case, four legal components must be proven:
That said, even if these four components are satisfied every successful case is built on compelling evidence. Our team focuses on collecting, preserving, and organizing documents and records that support your claim. This may include:
We leave no detail unexplored. Whether it’s finding a flaw in the design of a lift mechanism or identifying a subcontractor’s failure to cordon off a hazardous area, we tailor our investigation to the facts of your case.
Third-party claims often involve technical questions—about how a machine failed, why a process was unsafe, or whether standard industry practices were ignored. We work with engineers, safety specialists, and medical professionals to provide clarity. Their expert analysis can make complex failures understandable to judges and juries.
The lawyers at Nix Patterson take the lead in coordinating this expert input. We use it not just to support your case, but to tell a clear story of what went wrong—and why the third party should be held accountable.
Third-party liability is especially common in industries where multiple parties share responsibility for safety—or where workers rely on equipment or services provided by outside entities. These include:
The lawyers at Nix Patterson have handled litigation in each of these industries. We understand how to navigate industry-specific safety standards, contractual obligations, and the technical complexity that comes with third-party claims.
Not all workplace injury cases follow a simple path. When a third party is involved, the legal landscape becomes significantly more complex. Multiple parties may be pointing fingers at each other, contracts may conflict, and the facts often require careful untangling. But within this complexity also lies opportunity—especially when your legal team is prepared to take a structured, strategic approach.
One of the most difficult aspects of third-party claims is determining precisely who is responsible. There may be multiple subcontractors on a job site, manufacturers involved in different stages of a product’s development, or vendors who failed to deliver essential safety equipment. Pinpointing fault requires an understanding of the full scope of the worksite or supply chain.
Other common hurdles include:
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers manage these complications from the start. We know how to unravel convoluted arrangements and pursue the clearest path to liability. Our team handles communication between parties, manages procedural logistics, and ensures that your case doesn’t get bogged down in administrative red tape.
While these cases present challenges, they also unlock powerful tools that are unavailable in the workers’ compensation system. Civil lawsuits allow for full pre-trial discovery, giving us access to internal company records, communications, and witness depositions. We also bring in subject-matter experts who can offer authoritative opinions on industry practices, product safety, and accident reconstruction.
These advantages can reveal patterns of negligence or unsafe practices that might otherwise remain hidden. More importantly, they support a more comprehensive recovery—allowing you to pursue damages for the full scope of your losses, including emotional trauma and loss of future earnings.
Our firm’s approach is rooted in preparation and persistence. From the moment we take your case, we begin constructing a detailed legal strategy tailored to the unique factors at play. We anticipate defenses, prepare for jurisdictional issues, and ensure that every avenue for recovery is explored.
If you’re facing a complicated injury situation involving a third party, our lawyers will step in with clarity, structure, and tenacity. We work to simplify the process for you—while building the strongest possible case backed by evidence, expert insight, and decades of legal experience.
After a serious workplace injury, knowing what to do—and when to do it—can make all the difference. Injured workers are often overwhelmed in the aftermath of an accident, especially when the circumstances involve third-party negligence. By acting promptly and strategically, you can preserve your right to seek full compensation and avoid costly missteps that could weaken your case.
Your first priority should always be your health. Even if your injuries seem minor, underlying issues such as internal trauma or joint damage may not show symptoms right away. A medical evaluation documents your condition, provides essential care, and creates an official record linking the injury to the incident. This documentation becomes a foundational piece of evidence in any legal claim.
Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments and comply with your doctor’s recommendations. Any gaps in treatment or delays can be used to question the severity or origin of your injury.
As soon as possible, record everything you can about the conditions surrounding your injury. Take photographs or video of any equipment, debris, warning signs—or lack thereof—and environmental hazards. Capture different angles and include wide shots and close-ups to create a clear record.
Speak with coworkers or others who may have witnessed the incident or know about unsafe practices. If they’re willing, ask them to provide a written or recorded statement. Also, collect names and contact information in case they need to testify later.
Even if your employer is not the liable party, notifying them creates a timestamped record of the event. Be as detailed as possible. Include what happened, who was involved, where it occurred, and what conditions contributed to the accident.
Avoid casual or verbal notifications. Instead, write a formal report and keep a copy for your own records. This helps establish credibility and supports the timeline of your injury.
After a workplace injury, it’s common for injured workers to receive forms, waivers, or quick settlement offers. These documents may be presented as routine or urgent, but they can carry major consequences. Signing too soon can limit your rights or bar you from filing a third-party claim altogether.
Before signing anything—especially paperwork from a third-party company or their insurer—consult with the lawyers at Nix Patterson. We will review any offers or documentation and help you understand their implications fully.
Our team is ready to guide you through every stage of the legal process. We focus on serious workplace injury cases involving third-party negligence and are deeply experienced in identifying all liable parties. From the moment you reach out, we begin gathering evidence, assessing damages, and preparing your case for the strongest possible outcome.
You won’t have to worry about upfront expenses. We advance all litigation costs and only get paid if we recover compensation for you. That includes the cost of expert witnesses, investigations, filings, and court appearances.
Our lawyers have deep experience litigating third-party workplace injury claims across a wide range of industries. We handle every part of the process—from investigating liability to hiring experts to fighting for maximum compensation.
We cover all litigation costs up front, including investigations, court fees, and expert witnesses. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact Nix Patterson today for a free, confidential consultation. Our lawyers are here to help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Nix Patterson only works on a contingency fee basis. Our clients pay us nothing unless we win. Schedule a free consultation today. Call 512.328.5333 or complete the form below.
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The information on this site is for informational purposes only. Though it deals with legal issues, it should not be taken as legal advice for any specific case or situation. The law changes rapidly, and we make no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy or reliability of the content or links on this site. Every case and legal issue is different. Speak with a lawyer for specific advice.
This site is not intended to create, and viewing it does not create, an attorney-client relationship. The verdicts and settlements shown on this site are intended to be representative of cases Nix Patterson handles. These listings are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of any other cases or claim. Results in litigation can never be guaranteed.
La información contenida en este sitio tiene únicamente fines informativos. Aunque trata de cuestiones jurídicas, no debe tomarse como asesoramiento jurídico para ningún caso o situación específicos. La legislación cambia rápidamente y no garantizamos la exactitud o fiabilidad de los contenidos o enlaces de este sitio. Cada caso y asunto jurídico es diferente. Hable con un abogado para obtener asesoramiento específico.
Este sitio no pretende crear, y su consulta no crea, una relación abogado-cliente. Los veredictos y acuerdos mostrados en este sitio pretenden ser representativos de los casos que maneja Nix Patterson. Estos listados no son una garantía o predicción del resultado de cualquier otro caso o reclamación. Los resultados en litigios nunca pueden ser garantizados.