What happens after suffering a construction accident in New York? If you’ve ever had an injury at work or suffered from a workplace accident, then you know that you might face some serious financial difficulties. In addition to medical bills and lost wages, you’ll also have to deal with legal fees and other costs associated with filing a claim against your employer.
The state of New York has some of the strictest laws regarding worker compensation claims. This means workers who suffer injuries are entitled to receive full benefits even if they don’t file a formal complaint. Workers’ comp insurance covers medical expenses, disability payments, and wage replacement.
If your accident occurs in New York, you have several options for filing a claim:
- You can file a claim with the state Division of Labor (DOL). The DOL will investigate the incident and determine whether the employer was negligent. If so, the DOL will issue a citation and fine the employer.
- You can also file a claim with the Department of Insurance. The department investigates all accidents involving personal injury or property damage. It determines whether the employer has adequate insurance coverage and has violated any laws or regulations. If you’re not satisfied with the results of either investigation, you can file a lawsuit against the employer. However, this option is risky because the court could find that the employer wasn’t responsible for your accident. In addition, you must prove negligence before you can win damages. Negligence involves showing that the employer failed to use reasonable care to protect its workers.
Who qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits?
New York State has implemented a worker’s compensation (WC) system that provides coverage for injuries suffered by employees during their working hours.
A claimant cannot collect benefits unless there is proof that the employer had control over the employee at the time of the accident.
In addition, a claimant must show that the accident arose out of and in the scope of their employment duties.
What does the workers’ compensation system provide?
A typical workers’ compensation case involves the employer and the employee. The employer is responsible for providing workers’ compensation insurance coverage. The employer pays into the state fund, which distributes benefits to eligible claimants.
A claimant must seek treatment from a health care provider before filing a claim. After receiving treatment, the claimant submits a written report describing the nature and extent of the injury. The insurer will pay for the initial treatment and up to 12 weeks of lost wages.
After this period, the claimant may apply for further benefits. Benefits paid by the insurer are based on the degree of impairment suffered by the claimant. The number of benefits depends on whether the injury is permanent or temporary. Temporary injuries are generally covered for six months, after which the claimant must reapply for benefits. Permanent injuries are covered for life.
If the claimant’s condition worsens, they may request additional benefits. In some cases, the worker may need surgery or other treatments. In such cases, the insurer will also provide payment for these expenses.
Benefits of hiring a construction accident attorney in New York
Several benefits exist when hiring a construction accident lawyer in New York; they help with disputed claims. Disputes about claims can be complex and difficult to resolve, so hiring a New York City construction accident attorney is advisable.
They can also help you recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses resulting from a construction accident.
The attorney will answer any questions about your rights or obligations under the law and ensure your worker rights are not violated.