Workers’ Compensation
Attorneys in Queens

Workers’ compensation is a mandatory insurance program that provides benefits to workers who are hurt on the job.

When an employee gets hurt on the job, he or she can file for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits cover a portion of the employee’s wages for the duration of their time out of work, as well as the cost of medical care. Workers’ compensation benefits can also cover compensation for any permanent injuries or vocational rehabilitation if the employee must change careers due to the injury.

In return, the employee waives their right to sue their employer over the workplace injury.

Unfortunately, workplace accidents are very common. Private industry employers reported nearly 3 million non-fatal workplace injuries in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The majority of these injuries involved the following occupations:

• Registered nurses and nursing assistants
• Truck drivers
• Construction workers
• Janitors and cleaners
• Retail salespeople

5,250 workers died on the job in 2018, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Nearly a quarter of these deaths involved construction workers.

Workplace accidents happen whenever a worker is hurt while doing the duties of their job. However, there are certain tasks and situations that put workers at greater risk of injury than others.

Employers are supposed to provide workers with training and protective equipment to help prevent injury when performing those riskier tasks. However, some negligent employers will cut corners on safety measures to save time and money. The most frequent violated OSHA standards in 2019 were:

• Failure to provide adequate fall protection
• Failure to label hazardous and toxic substances
• Failure to provide proper scaffolding
• Failure to provide eye, face, or respiratory protection
• Failure to provide proper fall protection safety.

It comes as little surprise then that the most common causes of workplace accidents are:

• Slips, trips, and falls, including falls from scaffolds, ladders, and other heights
• Being hit by falling objects
• Being caught in or crushed by a machine
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Motor vehicle accidents

Exposure to toxic chemicals and substances

Some simple steps you can take to prevent accidents in your workplace include:

• Always using the protective gear required for the job
• Paying attention to safety training
• Protecting your body by using mechanical aids to lift and move heavy objects
• Taking breaks when needed to stay alert and awake
• Abstaining from drugs or alcohol while on the job
• Asking questions when you’re unsure of how to perform a task safely

However, workers can only do so much to prevent injury. Ultimately, it is an employer’s responsibility to provide workers with a safe and healthy workplace. If you’re concerned about unsafe working conditions and don’t feel comfortable reporting them to your employer, you can request an inspection by calling OSHA or filling out OSHA’s whistleblower complaint form

If you were the victim of an on-the-job injury, there are a few steps you must take to protect your health and your eligibility to file a worker’s compensation claim.

Before doing anything else, call 911 and seek medical treatment for any injuries you may have. Even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, you should see the doctor. You may have an “invisible” injury, such as a soft tissue injury, that requires medical supervision.

After getting the medical treatment you need, you must report the injury to your supervisor and notify your employer, in writing, about the accident and how it occurred. It is very important that you report your injury as soon as possible. Workers who do not report their injuries within 30 days of the accident could become ineligible to file for workers’ compensation under New York law.

You should also contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. A workers’ compensation attorney can help protect your best interests during every step of the process of filing workers’ compensation. If your employer denies your claim or provides a settlement that does not cover enough of your wages or medical bills, for example, an attorney can fight on your behalf to make it right.

An attorney can also help you determine if a third party was at fault for your workplace injury. If your injury was caused by a malfunctioning piece of equipment, for example, a workers’ compensation attorney could help you hold that manufacturer accountable.

HURT511 works in few simple steps:

1. Fill out this form or call 1-800-HURT-511.
2. Take 30 seconds to answer a few questions to see what your case is worth.
3. Connect with attorneys in your area who will fight for you—always on a contingency-fee basis.
4. Receive your settlement.