Workers' Compensation Claims

Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that provides cash benefits for lost wages and/or medical bills for employees who are injured at work. Nearly all employers in New York State must provide workers' compensation coverage for their employees. The workers' compensation system in New York is overseen by the New York State Workers' Compensation Board. This is a state agency that processes workers' compensation claims and determines whether an injured worker will receive payment for their lost wages and/or payment of their medical bills.

Workers' compensation benefits are awarded if your injury or illness is work-related, regardless of who is at fault. The amount of compensation that an injured worker receives is not decreased by his/her carelessness, nor is it increased by an employer's fault for the injury. In addition, workers' compensation laws make it difficult for injured construction workers to file a lawsuit against their employers for additional compensation. In most cases a lawsuit cannot be filed against an injured worker’s employer.

If you have been injured on the job, you should file a workers' compensation claim promptly after your injury occurs. Workers' compensation can provide wage reimbursement for the period while you are out of work recovering from your injury. It can also pay for medical expenses related to your injury. Prior to filing the application for benefits you should consult with an attorney.

After suffering a workplace injury, it is important to hire the right workers' compensation lawyer to help you get the workers' compensation benefits you need. The lawyers at Block O'Toole & Murphy, LLP are highly experienced in handling New York workers' compensation claims and can guide you through the process of obtaining benefits, and making what can be an unpleasant experience as pleasant as possible.

Construction workers who are injured in a job-related accident often believe that they are only entitled to workers' compensation. However, this is not always the case, as injured construction workers can recover additional damages through a construction accident lawsuit. For instance, if a construction worker is injured by a defective machine, they may be able to sue the manufacturer of the machine. Other third parties that can be liable in a construction accident include building owners, general contractors, insurance companies, third-party contractors and architects. These third parties are not protected by workers' compensation laws and are subject to being sued.

To find out how much compensation you can recover for your injuries, fill out our free case evaluation form to speak with a construction accident attorney today.

For more information about New York workers' compensation laws, visit the website of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board.