It’s happened to everyone – you’re moving boxes in the workplace, you reach for one and suddenly there’s a screaming pain in your shoulder and neck. You can’t even touch, much less lift, another box. Whether it turns out to be a pulled muscle or a slipped disc, your employer is required by New York law to provide you with workers’ compensation benefits. If you’ve been stricken with a work-related injury or illness that requires prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, or rehabilitation, your financial situation can become dire quickly. In those situations, it’s important to seek legal help and work with a workers' compensation lawyer Queens.
Having the right lawyer on your side can make all the difference in getting the full amount of benefits you’re entitled to receive, from weekly cash disability payments to medical care and rehabilitation. A skilled workers’ comp attorney can help you navigate the claim process, ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted on time, and assist with negotiating any disputes with insurance companies. Finding a proficient workers' compensation lawyer Queens is crucial for a successful claim.
How Long Will It Take to Settle My Claim?
The length of time it takes to settle a workers’ compensation case can vary depending on several factors. For example, cases involving severe injuries or disputed claims tend to take longer to resolve. Additionally, it is common for insurers to question the extent of your injuries or illness, and require independent medical evaluations (IME) to determine the actual cause and nature of your injury or illness. Those in New York might find it helpful to consult a workers' compensation lawyer Queens who understands the local regulations and medical providers.
If the IME results in a change to your eligibility for benefits, you can ask to have the decision reviewed by a panel of three members of the Workers’ Compensation Board. The panel may affirm, modify or rescind the original decision. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you can appeal it to the New York Court of Appeals, 3rd Judicial Department. Seeking advice from a workers' compensation lawyer Queens can be invaluable in navigating this appeal process effectively.
When you’ve been injured in the workplace, it’s crucial to seek the assistance of a knowledgeable NY workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled NYC workers’ comp lawyer can help you file a timely claim, secure the necessary medical care, and negotiate the best settlement possible. For those living in New York, contacting a dedicated workers' compensation lawyer Queens can ensure that you receive professional guidance tailored to the specific challenges of the local workers' compensation system.
The purpose of workers' comp, or workers' comp, is to pay medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets hurt or sick on the job. This is a mandatory insurance policy that every employer in the state of New York must carry. In exchange for being covered by this policy, employees give up their right to sue their employer for negligence in a personal injury case. If you're in Queens and find yourself needing assistance, a workers' compensation lawyer Queens can guide you through the process.
Almost all workers in New York are eligible for benefits from the state's Workers’ Compensation Law if they get hurt or sick at work. This includes part-time and seasonal workers, as well as independent contractors. The only groups of people who do not qualify for workers' comp are uniformed police, fire and sanitation personnel in the city, teachers, seamen and longshoremen, and federal government employees. For those eligible in Queens, it’s beneficial to consult with a workers' compensation lawyer Queens to understand your rights fully.
Most employees in the state are also protected from being retaliated against for filing a claim. If you file a workers' comp claim and your employer retaliates against you, you should contact an experienced attorney to discuss your options. Specifically, in Queens, a workers' compensation lawyer Queens can offer professional legal advice and representation.
If you are injured at work, it's important to tell your supervisor as soon as possible. You should also report the injury to your doctor and follow your physician's treatment plan. It is recommended that you contact an experienced workers' comp attorney to make sure you take all the correct steps to ensure you are receiving the maximum benefits available under the law. Residents of Queens may seek the help of a workers' compensation lawyer Queens to ensure no detail is overlooked in their claim.
A lawyer can help you file a claim and handle any disputes with your insurance company. If you have a dispute, your lawyer can request a hearing before a judge of the New York Workers' Compensation Board. During the hearing, you or your lawyer can present evidence such as medical records, testimony from your doctors and documentation of your average weekly earnings. The judge will then issue a decision and either you or your employer can appeal the ruling within 30 days. Engaging a workers' compensation lawyer Queens in such disputes can greatly influence the outcome in your favor.
In addition to the medical and disability benefits, you may be entitled to schedule loss payments. Schedule loss payments compensate you for the loss of a certain percentage of your range of motion in a certain body part. Examples of scheduled losses include loss of an arm or hand; a leg, foot or toe; and the loss of eyesight or hearing.
While New York’s pioneering workers’ compensation laws were a step in the right direction, even today it is still not enough to cover all medical expenses and financial losses. The system can be very complex and navigating it correctly requires the help of an experienced workers' compensation lawyer Queens who understands the law and how it applies in your particular case.
One of the key elements to ensuring you get what you need is timely reporting your injury or illness to your employer and the appropriate authorities. If you do not meet the notification deadlines, your application for workers’ compensation will be denied. In most cases, you have two years to notify the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and file a formal application for benefits. The key form that you will need to file is the Employee Claim Form C-3, which you can obtain from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board or your employer. Consulting with a workers' compensation lawyer Queens can help ensure that all paperwork is filed correctly and on time.
It is critical to report your accident or work-related illness to your employer as soon as you can, and do so in person, if at all possible. This is not only a requirement by the workers’ comp law, but it will make it easier for your doctor to connect your condition to your job duties. It is also important for the insurance company to have as much information as possible about your claim. A workers' compensation lawyer Queens can assist in gathering and presenting this information effectively.
You will need to provide your doctor with a complete medical history of your injuries and illnesses. The doctor will then create a preliminary medical report that will be sent to the workers’ compensation board and your employer or their insurance provider. The doctor will also send a copy to you and your attorney. Having a workers' compensation lawyer Queens during this phase can provide additional oversight and ensure that all medical documentation supports your claim.
If your claim is accepted by the workers’ compensation board, they will send you an Administrative Decision or a Proposed Decision with their findings and award you the benefits that they believe you are entitled to. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). A workers' compensation lawyer Queens can represent you at the hearing, presenting your case and arguing on your behalf for the maximum possible benefits.
The ALJ will review your case and make a final decision that could award you more benefits or less. If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you have the right to appeal it to a panel of three members of the board. Finally, if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your appeal, you can take the case to the Supreme Court of New York. A workers' compensation lawyer Queens is essential throughout this appeals process, providing legal skills and advocating for your rights every step of the way.
K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. | Construction Accident Attorney and Car Accident Lawyer
3763 83rd St #1m, Queens, NY 11372, United States
(646) 701-7990