Queens Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Across New York, workers in countless industries are injured or become ill on the job every day. To protect these workers’ rights, New York has a workers’ compensation system to ensure that they receive money to cover medical bills and a portion of their lost wages if they are injured or become ill because of their job.
Some injured workers may also pursue further compensation if a third party’s negligence contributed to their illness or injury. If you or a loved one have been injured or became sick on the job, you need a Queens workers’ compensation lawyer. Contact Lever & Ecker, and our skilled lawyers will explain your rights and legal options.
Table of Contents
- Workplace Accidents in Queens, New York
- Industries in Queens with the Most Workplace Accidents
- Common Workplace Injuries and Occupational Diseases
- What Are Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Queens?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim After an Accident in Queens?
- What is Covered by New York’s Workers’ Compensation System?
- Pursuing Damages Beyond Workers’ Compensation
- How Can Lever & Ecker Help Injured Workers in Queens?
- Contact Our Queens Attorneys About Your Work Accident Today
Workplace Accidents in Queens, New York
New York City reported 69 fatal work injuries in 2023, a slight decrease from deaths reported in 2022. According to the New York Bureau of Labor Statistics, tens of thousands of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in 2022, with about 83 percent of these reports involving injuries and almost 17 percent involving illnesses. Almost 91 percent of the incidents reported in New York involved injuries or illnesses severe enough to merit days away from work, job transfers, or restrictions of duties.
Industries in Queens with the Most Workplace Accidents
In 2022, New York saw 138,900 workplace injuries and illnesses reported by employers. Across the state, Queens included, the industries with the highest risks were:
- Construction: Accounting for nearly half of the state’s total work-related fatalities, construction workers face constant exposure to hazards like falls from heights, being struck by heavy objects, and machinery accidents.
- Health care: Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals also face high risks of illness and injury due to being frequently exposed to diseases on the job.
- Manufacturing: Workers in the manufacturing industry face increased risks of injury because their work environments typically involve exposure to dangerous chemicals and heavy machinery that may cause severe bodily harm.
- Retail: Retail workers often face high risks of injuries from slips, trips, falls, heavy lifting, workplace violence, and other equipment-related accidents.
- Transportation: Workers in the transportation sector face long hours operating large vehicles in unpredictable conditions, which increases the risk of injuries from vehicle collisions.
Common Workplace Injuries and Occupational Diseases
The construction industry is notorious for work-related accidents, especially in New York, where falls from heights and machinery accidents occur often. According to data from the New York Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common types of fatal work injuries in New York City. Exposure to harmful substances, hazardous environments, and transportation injuries are also common causes of workplace fatalities.
Workplace Injuries
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
- Construction Accidents
- Vehicle Accidents
- Machinery and Equipment Accidents
- Burns and Chemical Exposures
- Falls from Heights
- Brain injuries
Occupational Diseases
In New York, some of the most common occupational diseases workers develop or contract while on the job include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Respiratory Conditions
- Hearing Loss
- Skin Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
What Are Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Queens?
In most workplace accident cases in New York, injured workers cannot sue their employers. Instead, these workers may file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits with their employer. If you were injured at work and a third party’s negligence contributed to your injury or illness–speak with one of our Queens personal injury lawyers to explore your options to file a lawsuit against parties other than your employer, such as a construction site owner or general contractor.
You may feel afraid to seek compensation for your accident, but you should know that you have rights. Under New York law, employers are not allowed to discriminate against you or prevent you from filing or planning to file claims for workers’ compensation. Employers must also report your injury to the Workers’ Compensation Board of New York and their insurance company within 10 days of receiving notice of your injury.
How Long Do You Have to File a Workers' Compensation Claim After an Accident in Queens?
After being injured or contracting an illness at work, you must notify your employer within 30 days, but it is best to do so as soon as possible. If you wait longer than 30 days, you may lose your right to recover workers’ compensation benefits.
You should also file an employee claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board of New York within two years of the date of your injury or within two years of when you knew or should have known, that you contracted a disease or condition due to your work environment.
What is Covered by New York’s Workers' Compensation System?
If you have been injured or became ill directly due to your job, workers’ compensation benefits may pay for your medical care, a portion of your lost wages, prescription costs, transportation for medical treatment, and survivor benefits for families of workers who have passed away after an accident on the job. Workers’ compensation may also offer benefits for permanent disabilities and vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your job. Most employers in New York are required to have workers’ compensation insurance for employees; some employers don’t provide workers’ compensation.
Pursuing Damages Beyond Workers' Compensation
While workers’ compensation benefits can be a quick way to get compensation, they may not cover the entire cost of your injury or illness. Workers’ compensation benefits pay for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but they may not cover all future lost wages or other damages like pain and suffering. If a third party, like the construction site owner or a general contractor, holds some responsibility for your injury or illness, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to pursue additional compensation.
In New York, injured workers typically have three years from their injury or illness to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, some exceptions can significantly shorten that time frame–for instance, in cases involving government entities like cities or New York State, a 90-day notice is required before a lawsuit can be filed.
How Can Lever & Ecker Help Injured Workers in Queens?
We work hard to ensure injured workers can recover full compensation through third-party claims because we know it will genuinely make a difference in their lives and the lives of their loved ones. With a 99 percent case success rate, our attorneys can:
- Provide the resources you need to make the right legal decisions and get the right care.
- Identify all possible sources of compensation, including lawsuits against any responsible potential third parties.
- Handle the legal process if you choose to pursue a lawsuit.
- Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Contact Our Queens Attorneys About Your Work Accident Today
Our lawyers have over 70 years of combined experience representing injured workers. With offices in White Plains, the Bronx, and Queens, we handle cases for injured clients throughout New York and the surrounding counties.
Our attorneys make home and hospital visits, so we will come to you if you can’t come to us. If you or a loved one have been injured in a workplace accident and are considering taking legal action, contact Lever & Ecker for a free consultation by calling (347) 391-6337 or filling out our online contact form.
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