If you’ve had an accident at work, it may be time to speak with a Brooklyn work injury lawyer.
No one expects to arrive at work as usual only to leave later that day in an ambulance. Unfortunately, many of our society’s most important jobs are inherently dangerous, and accidents happen.
This is why workers’ compensation exists. If you get sick or injured because of your workplace activities, you should generally be entitled to wage replacement and medical benefits through the program. Unfortunately, in many cases, securing these benefits is not as straightforward as it should be.
Whether you’ve been injured in a construction accident, suffered from a workplace hazard, or developed a repetitive strain injury over time, we can help.
How a Brooklyn Work Injury Lawyer Can Help You
At Tucker Lawyers, we serve accident victims of all kinds across the state of New York. Workplace accidents form a large chunk of our workload (although, as we’ll explain later, the legal implications of workplace injuries and illnesses are different from those sustained elsewhere).
Here, we look at some of the most common types of workplace accidents and injuries in Brooklyn.
Construction Accidents
According to the most recent New York City Construction Safety Report, Brooklyn currently has the worst record of the city’s five boroughs when it comes to the rate of fatal accidents on construction sites.
Construction sites are among the most dangerous places to work in Brooklyn. Common types of building accidents include:
- Falls from heights
- Slip and fall accidents
- Electrocution
- Impacts involving falling objects
- Machinery accidents
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Fires and explosions
- Trench or scaffolding collapses.
Occupational Diseases
Occupational diseases are illnesses resulting from repeated exposure to hazards in the workplace. Common examples include:
- Respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from exposure to dust or chemicals in manufacturing plants or construction sites
- Skin diseases (like dermatitis) from contact with irritating chemicals during laboratory work
- Hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud noise on construction sites or elsewhere.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Many people picture workers’ compensation cases as relating only to one-time incidents or dangerous working conditions, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, carrying out seemingly ordinary tasks continually over an extended period can result in what are called repetitive strain injuries.
These include:
- Tendinitis from overuse of a mouse and keyboard
- Chronic pain and mobility issues related to lifting and carrying
- Bursitis, which often results from repeated pressure on an area or frequent repetitive movements
- Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) from repetitive wrist and arm motions.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
In theory, injured employees should be able to access workers’ compensation benefits without much hassle, and certainly without having to involve a Brooklyn work injury attorney. Unfortunately, the reality is often quite different.
Challenges Associated With Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation isn’t paid by the government. Instead, businesses are required to carry workers’ comp insurance and to file a claim on their policy when an employee develops a work-related sickness or injury.
Unfortunately, insurance providers are notorious for doing whatever they can to deny or devalue claims. Perhaps the most common method workers’ comp insurers use is to claim a worker’s injury or illness is not work-related, as only conditions arising directly from workplace activities qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
Say, for instance, you develop chronic pain from doing physical work on a construction site. Your insurer might try to claim that your recreational activities (lifting weights or hiking, for example) are the actual cause of your condition.
Generally, the best way to counteract this strategy is by hiring third-party medical consultants to examine you and your health records. This will allow your lawyers to build a strong case on the foundation of the evidence these expert reports provide.
An insurance company might also try to trip you up by:
- Imposing unreasonable deadlines for the submission of paperwork
- Asking misleading questions during the claims process
- Deliberately misinterpreting information you provide in order to damage your claim.
How We Can Help
The Brooklyn workers’ compensation attorneys at Tucker Lawyers have grappled with insurance companies over every loophole and technicality there is. No matter what insurers throw at us, we know how to respond.
Some of the reasons why injured New Yorkers continue to put their faith in us include our . . .
- Proven track record: You can learn about our history of securing favorable verdicts and settlements for our clients in Brooklyn (and beyond) by visiting our testimonials and case results pages.
- Personalized approach: We make sure that every client who comes through our doors receives our full attention, and we personalize our approach to meet individual needs every time. You won’t be treated like a mere case number if you choose to work with Tucker Lawyers.
- “No Win, No Fee” promise: We won’t charge you a cent unless and until we secure a verdict or settlement on your behalf. Furthermore, we offer free initial consultations, so you won’t have to worry about making any commitments until you know you have a solid case on your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do immediately after a work injury?
Immediately after a workplace accident, you should seek medical attention for your injuries, inform your employer about the incident, and document everything related to your accident and the circumstances surrounding it. This documentation will be crucial for any future claims.
How long do I have to file a work injury claim in New York?
You must notify your employer about the work injury within 30 days of the accident, and you have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, we recommend notifying your employer as soon as possible after an accident, and filing your claim as soon as you’re in a strong position to do so. If you’re not sure whether you have everything you need to start the claims process, feel free to call us and schedule a consultation.
What types of compensation can I receive for a work injury?
Compensation for a work injury may include medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits (temporary or permanent), depending on the severity of the injury and its impact on your ability to work.
Can I sue my employer for a work injury?
Generally, you cannot sue your employer for a work injury if you are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, if the injury resulted from intentional acts or extreme negligence, or if a third party’s actions caused the injury, you might have grounds for a lawsuit.
Can I claim compensation if I am a part-time or temporary worker?
Yes, part-time and temporary workers in New York are typically eligible for workers’ compensation for injuries sustained on the job. The key factor is not the hours worked but whether the injury is work-related and occurred during the course of employment. It’s important to report the injury and follow the same claims process as a full-time employee would.
Get in Touch with a Brooklyn Work Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered a work-related injury in Brooklyn and you’re struggling to get to grips with the workers’ compensation process, you don’t have to face the problem alone.
Contact Tucker Lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our seasoned work injury lawyers. You can reach us via our online contact form or over the phone at (516) 399-2364.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]