Personal Injury · Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices

Florida Workplace Injury Attorney
Workers’ Comp Is Just the Beginning.
Third-Party Claims Are Where Real Recovery Lives.

Workers’ compensation provides basic medical and wage benefits — but it caps your recovery and bars pain and suffering. Third-party personal injury claims against negligent contractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners can produce far greater recovery with no cap. Chris Walsh evaluates both claims from day one for every workplace injury client. No fee unless we recover.

Free Consultation Call (772) 888-8888
30-Day Workers’ Comp Reporting Deadline & 2-Year Third-Party Deadline — Call Now
Christopher Walsh
Christopher Walsh
Trial Attorney · FL Bar #127459
$M+
Recovered for Clients
0
Fee Unless We Recover
4.9★
Google Rating · 260+ Reviews
“Former U.S. Navy combat aviator. I bring the same precision and tenacity to personal injury cases that I brought to the flight deck.”
What Limits Workplace Injury Recovery
●Workers’ compensation bars direct lawsuits against your employer and caps wage replacement at partial benefits with no pain and suffering
●Employers and their insurers have experienced adjusters who begin managing your claim immediately after the injury is reported
●Third-party defendants — contractors, equipment manufacturers, property owners — dispute that they owe any duty or caused any injury
●OSHA investigations may be ongoing simultaneously and create evidence that cuts both ways
●Florida’s 2-year statute of limitations for third-party claims is already running from the date of injury

What the Evidence Shows —
and Where It Can Be Challenged

Every workplace injury in Florida involves at least one potential claim — workers’ compensation — and many involve a second and far more valuable one: a third-party personal injury claim against a party other than your employer. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system with significant limitations. Third-party claims have no such limitations — they can include full lost wages, future earning capacity, medical costs, pain and suffering, and in appropriate cases punitive damages.

Chris Walsh evaluates both the workers’ compensation claim and any available third-party claims from the initial consultation. He handles cases arising from construction site accidents, industrial and manufacturing injuries, agricultural accidents, transportation incidents, and other work-related injuries throughout the Treasure Coast and surrounding counties. The Treasure Coast’s construction boom, agricultural sector, and industrial activity generate a significant volume of workplace injury cases every year.

⚖️ Florida Workplace Injury Law
Florida workers’ compensation is governed by Florida Statute §440 and provides medical benefits, temporary total/partial disability wage replacement, and impairment benefits. Employer immunity (Florida Statute §440.11): workers’ comp is the exclusive remedy against the employer except in cases of intentional injury. Third-party claims: not barred by workers’ comp immunity — negligent contractors, property owners, and product manufacturers can be sued in tort. OSHA violations (29 C.F.R.): establish negligence per se in third-party claims. HB 837 (2023): 2-year statute of limitations for third-party negligence claims; modified comparative negligence applies.
Florida Statute §440 (Workers’ Compensation Law) · Florida Statute §440.11 (Employer Immunity) · 29 C.F.R. (OSHA Regulations) · Florida HB 837 (2023 Tort Reform)

How We Fight This Charge

Third-Party Defendant Identification
We immediately identify every party beyond your employer who may share liability — contractors, equipment makers, property owners — and evaluate claims against each.
OSHA Violation Analysis
OSHA investigation findings and citations against any party on the worksite establish negligence per se and significantly strengthen your third-party claim.
Product Liability
Defective tools, machinery, and safety equipment that malfunction and cause injury support product liability claims against manufacturers and distributors independent of workers’ comp.
Workers’ Comp Coordination
We coordinate your workers’ comp claim and third-party claim strategically to maximize total recovery and protect your benefits throughout the process.
Full Economic Loss Analysis
Third-party claims include everything workers’ comp excludes: full lost wages, future earning capacity reduction, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Preservation of Evidence
Construction sites and industrial facilities change rapidly. We preserve physical evidence, accident reports, safety records, and witness statements before they are lost.
Notable Results
RECOVERED
Construction Site Fall · Third-Party Contractor · Recovery Beyond Workers’ Comp
SETTLED
Industrial Equipment Malfunction · Product Liability · Maximum Available Recovery
WON AT TRIAL
Workplace Injury · Contractor Negligence · Jury Verdict for Client

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case details available upon request.

Common Questions

Workplace Injury Attorney FAQ

What is the difference between a workers' compensation claim and a third-party personal injury claim after a workplace injury? +
Workers' compensation in Florida is a no-fault system that provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement to injured workers regardless of who was at fault — but it prohibits most lawsuits directly against your employer. A third-party personal injury claim is brought against a party other than your employer who caused or contributed to your injury — such as a negligent contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or delivery driver. Third-party claims are not limited by workers' comp caps and can include full economic damages, pain and suffering, and in some cases punitive damages. Many workplace injuries support both claims simultaneously.
Who can be held liable in a workplace injury third-party claim? +
Third parties who may be liable in a workplace injury claim include: manufacturers of defective tools, machinery, or equipment (product liability); property owners where the work was being performed (premises liability); other contractors or subcontractors on the jobsite; drivers of vehicles involved in work-related traffic accidents; and chemical or material manufacturers in toxic exposure cases. Identifying all potential third-party defendants is one of the first and most important steps an attorney takes in a workplace injury case.
What if I was injured on a construction site in Florida? +
Construction site injuries involve multiple potentially liable parties — the general contractor, subcontractors, property owner, and equipment manufacturers — and a complex regulatory framework under OSHA. OSHA violations can establish negligence per se in a third-party claim. Construction accidents often involve falls from heights, caught-in or struck-by incidents, electrical contacts, and equipment malfunctions — all of which may support both workers' comp and third-party claims. Immediate evidence preservation is critical on construction sites.
How long do I have to bring a third-party workplace injury claim in Florida? +
The statute of limitations for third-party personal injury claims arising from workplace accidents in Florida is 2 years from the date of injury under Florida's 2023 HB 837 tort reform (reduced from 4 years). Workers' compensation claims have their own reporting and filing requirements — injured workers must report the injury to their employer within 30 days. Do not delay on either front. The sooner you retain an attorney, the more options you have.
Related Practice Areas
Auto Accident
Work-related vehicle accidents generate both workers' comp and third-party claims against other drivers.
Slip & Fall
Slip and fall injuries at work sites may involve third-party premises liability claims.
Wrongful Death
Fatal workplace accidents give rise to wrongful death claims against third-party defendants.
Free Consultation · 24/7

Injured at Work?
Workers’ Comp Is the Floor.
Not the Ceiling.

Third-party claims can produce full recovery for everything workers’ comp leaves out. Call Chris Walsh at (772) 888-8888 to evaluate both claims immediately. No fee unless we recover.

(772) 888-8888 PSL: (772) 236-5203 Free Online Consultation

Free initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Florida Bar Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.20 apply.