Work-related injuries can be very stressful, so if you were hurt on the job it may be wise to speak to a work injury attorney Queens NY relies on. The injury may have caused you to miss time from work and may have negatively affected your daily life. At Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C., we’re proud to give our clients a work injury attorney Queens NY counts on who may provide legal counsel to injured workers.
Common Types of Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries can range from mild to severe and may occur in just about type of workplace, including offices. Here are some of the most common types of workplace injuries:
- Falling Objects: If an object falls from a shelf and hits an employee, serious injuries can occur. Employees may reduce their risk of suffering head injuries by wearing helmets.
- Slips and Falls: Employees can also get hurt if they slip on a wet floor, trip on a flight of stairs, or fall from a high platform.
- Injuries from Heavy Machinery: Working with heavy machines in factories can be dangerous if employees aren’t properly trained to use them or if a machine malfunctions.
- Vehicle Accidents: Employees who have to drive a car or another type of vehicle may get into auto accidents on the road and suffer serious injuries, like concussions, back injuries, and broken bones.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Injuries that develop over a long period of time due to repeated motion may also be covered under workers compensation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one common example of this.
No matter what type of work injury you suffered, you may still be entitled to receive compensation. Don’t hesitate to contact an experienced work injury attorney Queens NY respects if you believe your injury may qualify for workers compensation.
Employees can suffer many types of injuries at work. Some of these injuries may be severe and cause lasting damage. Here are some of the most common workplace injuries a work injury attorney Queens NY respects may encounter:
- Head Injuries: Concussions and other head injuries can lead to brain damage and may affect your ability to think and move. If a head injury is severe enough, it may require surgery or future therapy sessions.
- Broken Bones: No matter where they occur, broken bones can be very painful and debilitating. If you broke a bone in several places, it may take a while to heal and may prevent you from doing normal daily tasks.
- Neck and Back Injuries: From herniated discs to whiplash, neck and back injuries are often very serious and require surgery. In severe cases, these injuries can result in numbness and partial loss of functions.
- Damaged Limbs: Working with heavy machinery can put you at risk of damaging your arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers and toes. If your limbs get crushed under a piece of machinery, it could lead to long-term pain and, in serious cases, amputation.
- Burns: Whether they are a result from a chemical spill or fire at work, burns are very painful and could leave permanent scars.
When It’s Necessary to Hire a Work Injury Attorney
You may be able to represent yourself in a worker’s compensation claim if your injury y was minor and you didn’t miss a lot of work. However, even if your employer admits that your injury occurred at work and even if you didn’t have a pre-existing condition, a work injury attorney in Queens NY may still be able to provide valuable counsel.
If your case is more complicated, it may be even more important to hire a work injury attorney Queens NY trusts. For example, if your workers’ compensation claim is denied, consulting with an experienced lawyer could be beneficial. He or she may help you appeal your case and receive fair compensation for your injuries.
It may also be a good idea to hire a Queens work injury attorney if your injury has resulted in partial or total disability. If your injury prevents you from returning to work, you may be entitled lifetime payments from your employer. However, if you do not have a skilled work injury attorney Queens NY relies on by your side, your employer’s insurance company may try to avoid paying you what you deserve.
How Much Money Can I Receive?
The amount of compensation awarded to injured workers can vary, but the maximum amount of money that the typical workers compensation insurer pays may be two-thirds of the employee’s weekly pay. To make sure you correctly calculated the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive, have a reputable work injury attorney Queens NY review your claim.
Hiring a Workers Compensation Attorney
While it’s possible to file a workers compensation claim on your own, you may have more success if you hire a work injury attorney in Queens NY. An experienced attorney would likely know workers compensation laws well and may have an idea of how much compensation you are entitled to. A Queens NY work injury attorney may also help you negotiate for a fair settlement if the initial offering is too low. If your claim is denied, your attorney may guide you through the appeals process if it’s possible to have your claim reconsidered.
Don’t wait to file your claim and get justice for your injuries. At our firm, we know just how important it is to remain financially stable after a work-related injury. If you would like to speak with a work injury attorney Queens NY holds in high regard, contact Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. at (516) 594-0909.
It is possible that some workers will not be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits even if they fell ill or were injured while working. It is important to understand that, most of the time, only fully recognized employees of most employers are eligible for such benefits. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. As a result, if you have been injured on the job, it is important to connect with an experienced Queens, New York work injury attorney as soon as you can. Even if your position falls under an exemption category, you may still be entitled to benefits. Alternatively, you may be able to explore legal alternatives, like filing a personal injury claim, in order to recover compensation for your injuries. The legal team at Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. has extensive experience helping injured workers in numerous positions and we would be happy to help clarify your options and provide you with support.
Again, it is important to take “general rules” with a grain of salt. An experienced Queens, NY work injury attorney may be able to help you obtain benefits even if your position falls into one of the following general exemption categories:
Independent Business Owners
Most states have rules that do not allow a business owner, partner, or sole proprietor to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Certain states, including Washington, do have a rule that allows these people to elect to have workers’ compensation insurance as long as they cover the premiums.
Volunteers
Volunteers are not considered to be employees; therefore, they are very rarely covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Some organizations do have workers’ compensation for their volunteers, but this is on a case by case basis. Exceptions to this may include volunteer police officers or firefighters, as well as, any other volunteer that has been requested by police, firefighters, or the state.
Federal Employees, Maritime, and Railroad Workers
Although federal employees and employees who work in the railroad or maritime industries may be able to apply for workers’ compensation benefits, there are different programmes set up for them. The benefits are similar to the state programs, but may also cover certain things that are applicable to their jobs. For example, maritime workers’ may be eligible for compensation for injuries, as well as, occupational diseases that occur on open waters and piers in the U.S. If you fall into one of these categories, you should consult a Queens, NY work injury attorney who handles federal, maritime, or railroad workers’ compensation claims.
Independent Contractors
In general, independent contractors are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. It is certainly possible that there has been an error and the employee has been wrongfully classified as an independent contractor. If you signed a 1099 form, but you believe your employee is trying to avoid paying payroll taxes and insurance premiums, please call a Queens, NY work injury attorney about your options.
Additional Exceptions that Apply
Every state has an established list of employees who will not qualify for workers’ compensation. This varies by state, but often includes:
- Part time gardeners
- Part time maintenance workers
- Part time domestic workers
- Workers who perform limited work over a limited period
- Taxi drivers
- Select agricultural workers
If You Are Unsure, Call a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured on the job, and would like to know if workers’ compensation benefits are available, please call a Queens, NY work injury attorney now. Even if you are not eligible for these benefits, it may be possible to file for another type of benefit or even a personal injury claim.
