Staten Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Fighting For Injured Workers Across NYC

A workplace accident can upend your life. Fortunately, if your work-related injury or illness happened in Staten Island or anywhere else in the state of New York, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that can provide medical care and financial compensation intended to help you make ends meet while you recover.

At the Harris Firm, LLC, our award-winning Staten Island workers’ compensation attorneys leverage decades of collective experience to guide injured workers and their families through the complexities of the New York workers’ compensation system. From assistance with filing initial claims to representation at hearings, appeals, and other important aspects of a case, our comprehensive services can position you to obtain the benefits you deserve.

If you suffered a work-related injury or illness in Staten Island, the Harris Firm, LLC can help. Call (718) 487-8669 or contact us online to request a FREE consultation.

Who Is Entitled to Workers’ Compensation in New York?

New York's workers' compensation system provides essential support to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. This no-fault insurance arrangement ensures that workers have access to medical care and monetary benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. However, workers must be considered “covered employees” to obtain benefits and must have injuries or illnesses that arise from the course of their employment.

Covered Employees

Most employees in New York State are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This includes:

• Full-time employees: Those with a regular work schedule that typically encompasses a standard workweek.
• Part-time employees: Workers who do not fulfill full-time hours but still operate on a regular schedule.
• Seasonal employees: Individuals employed for specific seasons or periods of the year, often linked to industries such as tourism or agriculture.
• Temporary employees: Workers with employment agreements for a limited period or for specific tasks.

Some types of employees are excluded. Generally, these include volunteers, workers at businesses with very few employees, some agricultural workers, and other workers who fall into special categories of employment that may not qualify for workers’ compensation or may be covered under different regulations. Notably, independent contractors such as Uber and Lyft drivers are also excluded from workers’ compensation coverage, but may have other options for recovering compensation when they’re hurt while working.

At the Harris Firm, LLC, we can evaluate whether you’re eligible to obtain workers’ compensation benefits and, if you are not, whether you may have grounds to pursue a civil personal injury claim against a negligent party.

Covered Injuries & Illnesses

In addition to being a covered worker, workers’ compensation eligibility also depends on the nature of your injury or illness. That’s because New York workers’ compensation only covers injuries related to your job duties or workplace environment. This includes injuries arising from:

• Work-related accidents: Incidents that occur in the course of employment resulting in injuries to workers. Examples include forklift, ladder, and scaffolding accidents.
• Occupational diseases: Illnesses that arise as a direct result of workplace conditions or job duties, such as asthma and respiratory illnesses, infections, and more.
• Aggravation of pre-existing conditions: Worsening of a previous condition due to job-related activities, such as lifting or repetitive movements.

Common Workplace Accidents in Staten Island

Staten Island workplaces, like any other, can be the setting for a range of accidents. From construction sites to office spaces, we've seen clients come to us with injuries sustained in:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Construction accidents
• Manufacturing accidents
• Machinery or equipment-related accidents
• Transportation-related incidents
• Restaurant and food service accidents
• Falls from heights
• Exposure to hazardous substances

As a firm dedicated solely to fighting on behalf of injured workers and families, the Harris Firm, LLC has cultivated a reputation for our ability to handle claims involving all types of accidents. Whatever yours involves, we have the experience and resources to help.

Common Workplace Injuries & Illnesses

Our clients have faced a spectrum of health challenges due to workplace accidents, including:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, etc.)
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Occupational diseases
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Healthcare worker injuries

Our Workers' Compensation Legal Services

• Initial Consultation. We offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations to discuss and understand the intricacies of your case while delivering a candid assessment of the steps ahead. These consultations are designed to educate potential clients about their rights and how we can use our experience to help them secure the best possible outcome.
• Claim Filing Assistance. Filing a workers' compensation claim in Staten Island involves navigating complex and often intimidating paperwork, as well as matters involving medical diagnoses and care. We're here to ensure that your submission is complete, accurate, and timely and that it’s supported by relevant medical documentation.
• Benefit Calculation. You're entitled to fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and, if applicable, vocational rehabilitation. We meticulously calculate what you're due to secure financial support that truly reflects your needs.
• Mediation and Settlement. For many, a fair settlement outside of court is preferable, as it can save time, money, and ensure that workers obtain needed benefits as soon as possible. At the Harris Firm, LLC, we leverage our experience in mediation and settlement negotiations to advocate for our clients when dealing with workers’ compensation insurers and striving for resolutions that meet their needs while maximizing efficiency.
• Appeals Representation. In instances where claims are unfairly denied, or when you disagree with the disability ratings or benefits you’ve been awarded, our team can help you pursue a workers’ compensation appeal through the appropriate channels.
• Litigation Support. Should your case require a legal battle, rest assured our seasoned litigation team is prepared to defend your interests in court assiduously and effectively.
• Ongoing Support. We’re always available to support our clients in matters related to their claims. This includes helping with ongoing needs regarding required medical treatment and benefits, consulting with clients who need to return to work, and exploring options when cases need to be reopened due to disability.

Answers to Common Workers' Compensation Questions

What is Workers' Compensation?

Workers' compensation is an insurance program mandated by the state to provide compensation to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses.

What Benefits Are Available Under New York Workers' Compensation?

New York law ensures several types of benefits, including but not limited to medical care, temporary and permanent disability payments, death benefits for dependents, and more.

Workers’ compensation in New York provides several benefits, including:

• Medical care coverage: All necessary treatment related to the work injury or illness.
• Wage replacement benefits: Compensation for lost wages, based on pre-defined calculations, if the worker is unable to work due to their injury.
• Disability benefits: Payments for disability arising from the injury or illness, which may be awarded on a temporary, permanent, partial, and/or total basis.
• Vocational rehabilitation: Support for workers who need retraining to return to the workforce or accommodations to work with limitations.
• Death benefits: Benefits awarded to surviving dependents of victims who died from work-related injuries or illnesses.

What Can I Do If My Workers' Compensation Claim Was Denied?

A claim denial isn't the end of the road. You have the right to file an appeal, and our attorneys can guide and represent you through the entire appeals process.

What Should I Do After Being Injured at Work?

• Report any work-related injury or illness to their employer as soon as possible.
• Adhere to the time limits for reporting, which is generally within 30 days of the incident.
• Continue your medical treatment (treatment obtained by an authorized provider is covered under workers’ compensation) and follow your doctor’s instructions.
• Complete and submit a workers’ compensation claim with the help of an attorney.

Why Should I Work With a Workers' Comp Lawyer?

Navigating workers' compensation claims can be incredibly complex. An experienced lawyer will fight to ensure that you’re positioned favorably to secure the benefits you need and to help you make informed decisions throughout the claims process.

Call For a FREE Case Evaluation: (718) 487-8669

The Harris Firm, LLC has become one of NYC’s most trusted workers’ compensation practices. Helmed by top-rated lawyers and comprised of a team with unwavering commitment to clients, we’ve helped countless workers across the region fight for needed benefits amid all types of difficulties and disputes.

If you have questions about a case, our Staten Island workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help. Give us a call at (718) 487-8669 or complete an online consultation form to speak with a member of our team.