When you’re injured on the job, the first route for most people is workers’ compensation — a no-fault system that provides medical benefits and wage replacement regardless of who caused the accident. But not every workplace injury claim fits neatly into the workers’ comp system. In some cases, you may have grounds for a third-party personal injury lawsuit — for example, if a defective machine, contractor, or negligent third party caused your injuries.

These personal injury lawsuits follow a completely separate set of deadlines, called statutes of limitations, which vary depending on the state and the circumstances. Missing these deadlines can completely bar you from seeking compensation through the court system.

کرشمہ کپور کے سابق شوہر سنجے کپور انتقال کر گئے۔۔ موت کی وجہ ایک مکھی تھی؟

ایک اف%سوسناک خبر نے بھارتی انٹرٹینمنٹ اور بزنس حلقوں کو ہلا کر رکھ دیا—معروف صنعتکار اور کرشمہ کپور کے سابق شوہر، سنجے کپور، 53 برس کی عمر میں اچانک انتقال کر گئے۔

بھارتی میڈیا کے مطابق سنجے کپور انگلینڈ میں پولو میچ کھیل رہے تھے جب اچانک طبیعت بگڑ گئی۔ ابتدا میں سمجھا گیا کہ انہیں دل کا دورہ پڑا، تاہم بعد میں سامنے آنے والے چونکا دینے والے انکشاف نے سب کو حیران کر دیا۔

دراصل ایک شہد کی مکھی ان کے منہ میں چلی گئی تھی، جس کے بعد ان کے گلے میں سوجن اور شدید تکلیف ہوئی، اور یہ ہی جان لیوا ثابت ہوئی۔

یہ غیرمعمولی واقعہ اس وقت پیش آیا جب وہ میدان سے باہر آنے ہی والے تھے، لیکن اچانک دل کا دورہ پڑنے سے وہ گر پڑے اور جانبر نہ ہو سکے۔

سنجے کپور، جو معروف آٹو پارٹس کمپنی سونا کومسٹارکے چیئرمین تھے، ایک کامیاب بزنس مین ہونے کے ساتھ ساتھ کرشمہ کپور کے سابق شوہر بھی رہ چکے ہیں۔ دونوں نے 2003 میں شادی کی تھی، اور اگرچہ ان کا رشتہ زیادہ عرصہ نہ چل سکا، لیکن ان کے دو بچے، سمیرا اور کیان، ہمیشہ ان کے درمیان ایک مضبوط تعلق کا ذریعہ رہے۔

معروف بزنس کنسلٹنٹ سہیل سیٹھ نے ایکس (سابقہ ٹوئٹر) پر سنجے کی موت کی تصدیق کرتے ہوئے گہرے دکھ کا اظہار کیا۔

“ایک زبردست انسان، شاندار ساتھی اور دوست، سنجے کپور کی ناگہانی موت نے دل توڑ دیا ہے۔”

زندگی کبھی کبھار ایک لمحے میں سب کچھ بدل دیتی ہے۔ ایک پُرامن کھیل، ایک چھوٹی سی مکھی، اور ایک دل… اور وہ شخص جو کل تک زندگی سے بھرپور تھا، آج صرف یادوں میں رہ گیا۔

The General Rule: Standard Personal Injury Statutes Apply

In most states, personal injury claims related to workplace accidents (that fall outside of workers’ comp) follow the state’s general statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Here’s a sample of the typical filing windows:

These deadlines usually start on the date of the accident or injury, not when workers’ comp starts, not when you file an insurance claim, and not when you finish medical treatment.

Who Might You Sue Outside Workers’ Comp?

You generally cannot sue your employer directly if they carry workers’ comp coverage (except in very rare circumstances), but you can sue third parties who caused or contributed to your injury, such as:

• Equipment manufacturers (product liability)
• Contractors or subcontractors (on multi-employer job sites)
• Property owners (premises liability)
• Negligent drivers (for vehicle-related workplace injuries)
• Service providers (e.g., delivery companies, maintenance firms)

In these situations, your claim is treated like any other personal injury lawsuit — with its own deadlines.

Special Exceptions That May Alter the Deadline

1. Discovery Rule

In some cases, the statute of limitations doesn’t begin until you reasonably discover the injury. This is rare for traumatic injuries but can apply to:

• Occupational diseases (asbestos exposure, chemical poisoning)
• Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel, hearing loss)

2. Claims Involving Minors

If the injured worker is under 18, most states pause (toll) the statute until adulthood.

3. Government Entities

If a government agency or employee contributed to your injury, you often face much shorter deadlines (sometimes 30–180 days) to file a “notice of claim” before you’re allowed to sue.

How Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim Affects These Deadlines

Filing a workers’ comp claim does not pause or extend the deadline for a third-party lawsuit. You must file the personal injury lawsuit within the regular statute of limitations even if you’re still receiving workers’ comp benefits.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you fail to file your lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations:

• Your claim will almost always be dismissed.
• Courts rarely make exceptions once the deadline passes.
• You will lose the right to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, full lost wages, future medical expenses, and other damages available in personal injury lawsuits.

Why Third-Party Personal Injury Lawsuits Matter

While workers’ comp covers basic medical costs and partial wage loss, a personal injury lawsuit can provide:

• Full compensation for pain and suffering
• Total wage loss, including full lost earnings
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Punitive damages in extreme cases

Because of these higher potential awards, many seriously injured workers explore third-party lawsuits alongside workers’ comp claims.

The Bottom Line

If you’re injured at work but someone other than your employer contributed to your injury, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit — but strict state deadlines apply. These deadlines often run concurrently with your workers’ comp case, and missing them can permanently close the door on valuable compensation. Acting quickly and consulting an experienced personal injury or workplace injury attorney is crucial to protecting your legal rights.