Manhattan Workers' Compensation
Each year New Yorkers suffered from thousands of injuries sustained while on the job. Under New York law, worker's compensation insurance provides benefits to workers who become ill, are injured, or die in the course of employment. In many cases workplace injuries occur due to a slip and fall accident while at work, being hit by flying debris in a construction accident, or in an auto accident that occurs while on the job. However, to be eligible for workers' compensation benefits it is not necessary that the injury was caused by a sudden accident. Some workplace injuries are caused by repeated physical motions such as a back injury from repeatedly lifting heavy boxes, or a respiratory condition from inhaling airborne chemicals over a period of time. However, it is required that the injury occur at work or that the injured be work related. If you or a family member suffered a serious injury in the court of employment, you may be entitled to compensation. Immediately contact an experienced Manhattan workers' compensation lawyer who will review the details of your case and help you receive the benefits and compensation to which you are entitled.
New York workers' compensation benefitsUnder New York workers' compensation rules practically all employers must carry workers' compensation insurance in order to make sure that workers injured in the course of employment receive necessary medical care and to make sure that they receive income during the period that they are not able to work because of the injury. Otherwise, in the absence of workers' compensation many injured workers would not receive adequate medical care and would fall into financial distress after getting injured at work.
Common causes of workplace accidents and injuriesBecause construction sites are inherently dangerous, accidents are not uncommon. However, accidents can occur at any workplace include in office environments, retail establishments factories, farms, hospitals, schools and laboratories. The most common types of workplace accidents include:
- Repetitive strain injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome
- Chemical burns due to failure to follow safety rules at construction sites or manufacturing plants
- Work-related car and truck accidents, such as accidents by bus drivers, commercial truck drivers, or construct vehicle accidents
- Electrocution, at construction sites
- Machinery accidents, at construction sites, factories, or on farms
- Amputations, due to malfunctioning equipment in factories or at construction sites
- Heavy lifting injuries, at warehouses, construction sites or retail stores
- Hearing loss, due exposure to loud noises without wearing protective ear gear
When an injury occurs in the workplace or during the course of employment, under New York law the victim is typically eligible to receive benefits through workers' compensation instead of having to file a personal injury claim. In order to receive workers' compensation benefits, you must following the rules related to filing a claim. Failure to do so may mean that your claim is denied or that benefits are delayed. Benefits available from workers' compensation insurance include:
- Medical care: Workers' compensation insurance will pay for the medical treatment of your workplace injury. You must, however, receive treatment from an approved medical provider.
- Wage replacement: While you are recovering you can receive cash benefits. The amount that you receive will be based on your average weekly wages as well as the severity of your injury.
- Vocational counseling: If you will not be able to return to the same job after your recover, workers' compensation provides you with counseling to help prepare you to re-enter the workforce.
In order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits to which you are entitled under workers' compensation, it is critical for you to contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney who will help ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled from workers' compensation as well as any other sources. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates has experience handling workplace injury cases, workers' compensation claims, and Social Security disability claims. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.