Memphis, TN asked in Personal Injury for Tennessee

Q: How can I pursue a case against the company whose negligence caused my amputated index finger?

I was working at a landscaping business when I had my right index finger smashed off on a log splitter. The Worker’s Comp. worker is not paying my wages, the owner is, and they will not pay for time off for doctor visits. Recently my co-worker informed me that the log splitter was repaired before the case worker arrived to take photos. Prior to my accident, there was maintenance done on this machine and the lines were not attached correctly thus, disengaging the fail safe mech. The owner told him and the foreman to repair the lines. He is very willing to give this statement. I have chronic pain and my career is in jeopardy. I do not know if I will have future problems with this hand. I have to find someone for trans. when I have my son on the weekends. I have had to cancel plans like canoeing, camping, baseball, and road trips w/o someone taking time off to drive. Where do I find a lawyer to go after the owner whose mistake caused my permanent impairment?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: You should contact a personal injury lawyer in your area. Depending on your jurisdiction and the date of your injury, there still may be time to file a lawsuit against the companies who provided the splitter, the splitter distributor and the manufacturer of the product were found it to be defective or designed negligently. In most jurisdictions there is no right to sue directly your employer because of the exclusivity of workers' compensation.

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