Are you looking for a workers' compensation lawyer in Queens, NY?
Workers' compensation representation guided by 30+ years of experience in Queens and the surrounding area.
If you were hurt on the job in Queens, our Queens, NY workers' compensation lawyer at Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. is ready to help. We have represented injured workers throughout New York for over three decades, handling workers' compensation claims exclusively. Call our office to schedule a free initial consultation.
Workers' Compensation Lawyer Queens, NY
Workers' compensation in New York operates on a no-fault basis. An employee who suffers a job-related injury or occupational illness is generally entitled to benefits without needing to prove that anyone was negligent. The system exists to make sure that injured workers can access medical treatment and partial income replacement while they recover.
What makes it complicated is the procedure. Reporting deadlines, medical evaluations, and formal appearances before the New York Workers' Compensation Board are routine parts of the process for many claimants. Insurance carriers dispute claims regularly, and those disputes can extend a case significantly and affect the benefits a worker ultimately receives.
The type of injury, the industry you work in, and how the carrier responds all shape how a claim develops. Queens workers come from some of New York's most active employment sectors, including healthcare, transportation, warehousing, construction, and city services, and the claims we handle reflect that range. A Queens workers' compensation attorney who has handled these proceedings regularly brings a level of preparation that changes how your case is positioned from the start.
Types of Workers' Compensation Cases We Handle in Queens
Queens workers come from nearly every industry, including construction, healthcare, transportation, warehousing, and city government. The facts of each case shape the path through the system. Here are the types of matters we handle:
- Construction accidents. Falls from scaffolding, crane incidents, equipment failures, and structural collapses lead to some of the most severe workplace injuries we see. Construction accident claims are complex and frequently disputed by insurance carriers.
- On-the-job injuries. Any injury that arises out of and in the course of your employment may qualify for workers' compensation benefits, whether it happens on a jobsite, inside a building, or while you are performing work duties off-premises.
- Slip and fall accidents. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and inadequate lighting contribute to serious workplace fall injuries every day. Back injuries, fractures, and head trauma are among the most common results.
- Repetitive stress injuries. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis develop over months or years from repetitive work tasks. Documenting the connection between these injuries and your specific job duties is essential to the claim.
- Occupational diseases. Prolonged exposure to hazardous chemicals, asbestos, dust, or other toxic materials can cause serious long-latency illnesses. Workers who develop occupational conditions as a result of their employment may be entitled to benefits.
- Motor vehicle accidents. Delivery drivers, field technicians, and other workers who drive as part of their jobs may be injured in traffic accidents while on duty. Many of those injuries qualify for workers' compensation.
- Denied and disputed claims. If an insurance carrier has denied or challenged your claim, that is not the end. Our attorneys handle claim appeals before the Workers' Compensation Board and know how to build the record your case needs.
- Hearings and appeals. Many workers' compensation claims require formal proceedings before a Workers' Compensation Board Law Judge. We prepare clients for each stage and advocate for them throughout.
Why Choose Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. as My Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Queens, NY?
35 Years of Workers' Compensation Practice in New York
Mark Polsky has been admitted to the New York Bar since 1987 and has spent his entire legal career representing injured workers. He serves as President of the Nassau County Bar Association Workers' Compensation Committee and is a former Board Member of the NY Workers' Comp Bar Association. He received a Humanitarian Award for his contributions to union members and a Citation from the Town of Hempstead for community service. His work includes lecturing on workers' compensation law and publishing articles for legal professionals in the field.
Our firm handles nothing but workers' compensation. Every attorney appears before the Board regularly, understands how carriers approach claims, and knows where cases tend to get delayed or contested. For injured workers seeking compensation benefits in Queens, that depth of focus translates into more informed representation from start to finish.
Commitment to Workers Beyond the Courtroom
Mark Polsky has been involved in a scholarship fund supporting union families in New York and regularly engages with union meetings and community events to educate workers about their rights. We represent injured workers because we believe in protecting them.
Queens Work Injury Infographic
Understanding Workers' Compensation Cases
Benefits, Liability, and Compensation for Workers' Compensation Cases
New York's workers' compensation system provides several categories of benefits to eligible injured workers:
- Medical benefits: All reasonable and necessary treatment related to your work injury is covered, with no out-of-pocket cost to you
- Lost wage benefits: If your injury prevents you from working, you may receive partial wage replacement calculated from your average weekly wage, subject to state-set maximums
- Schedule loss of use awards: Permanent impairment to certain body parts, including hands, arms, legs, feet, eyes, and ears, can qualify for a lump-sum award
- Permanent total disability: Workers who cannot return to any employment due to their injuries may receive ongoing benefits
- Death benefits: Dependents of a worker killed in a work-related accident may receive weekly benefits and coverage for funeral expenses
What Are Important Aspects of a Workers' Compensation Case?
Prompt reporting matters significantly. New York Workers' Compensation Law requires that you notify your employer of a workplace injury within 30 days. Medical records from early treatment establish the foundation of your claim. Insurance carriers dispute claims for many reasons: they may argue the injury is not work-related, that the requested treatment is unnecessary, or that a worker has recovered enough to return to work. Knowing when to hire a lawyer can make a real difference in how those disputes are handled.
- Keep copies of every medical record, prescription, and missed-work documentation
- Report your injury to your employer in writing and retain a copy
- Do not give a recorded statement to the carrier before speaking with an attorney
What Is the Workers' Compensation Case Timeline?
Understanding key filing deadlines in your case prevents costly mistakes. The general sequence in most New York workers' compensation claims looks like this:
- You are injured at work, report it to your employer, and seek medical care
- Your employer notifies their insurance carrier within the required period
- You file a C-3 Employee Claim form with the NY Workers' Compensation Board
- The carrier accepts or disputes your claim
- If disputed, a hearing is scheduled before a Workers' Compensation Law Judge
- Independent medical evaluations, depositions, and additional proceedings may follow
- The case concludes through a Board determination or a negotiated settlement
Cases with permanent injuries or occupational diseases typically run longer.
What Should You Bring to Your Workers' Compensation Consultation?
Before your first meeting, gather the following:
- A written account of how and when the accident occurred, with the names of any witnesses
- Your employer's name and their insurance carrier's name, if you have it
- Medical records, emergency room notes, or doctors' reports received so far
- Any written communications from your employer or their insurer, including denial notices
We will review the facts, answer your questions about filing your claim, and explain what to expect.
What Are Important New York Legal Resources for Workers' Compensation Cases?
Below are some resources for understanding New York workers' compensation law and the claims process:
- The NY Workers' Comp Board provides an injured worker toolkit with step-by-step guidance on filing and understanding your rights in New York
- Worker protections and the right to report unsafe conditions are outlined on the OSHA workers page
- National data on workplace injury and illness rates is published through the BLS Injuries and Illnesses program
- New York's Workers' Compensation Law in full text is accessible through the NY State Legislature
- The Injured Workers' Bar Association provides resources for New York workers navigating the compensation system
New York Workers' Compensation Law generally requires workers to file a claim with the Board within two years of the date of the accident, or within two years from the date they knew or should have known their injury or illness was work-related.
Reach Out to Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation
If a work injury has disrupted your life in Queens or the surrounding area, Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. can help. We offer free initial consultations for workers' compensation cases throughout the New York area. We will review your situation, explain the claims process, and answer your questions about what comes next. Our office responds to new inquiries promptly. Contact us to schedule your consultation.
