Queens Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Oct. 11, 2024
New York workers’ compensation laws provide benefits to cover lost wages, medical care, and more if you’ve been hurt on the job. An insurance company might dispute your claim or offer less than you deserve. The dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers in Queens at Shulman & Hill stand up for your interests throughout all phases of the claims and appeals process.
After a workplace injury, you might not know how to proceed with a claim to recover lost wages and medical expenses. It can be difficult if your claim is denied. The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Shulman & Hill have been standing by injured people in Queens for more than a decade, with a particular focus on workplace injury. Reach out to schedule a free consultation today and learn how our personal injury lawyers can help with your claim.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill?
Shulman & Hill is made up of seasoned workers’ compensation attorneys with an unwavering dedication to client service. Over the decade-plus that we’ve served this city, we have always put our clients first. We have conveniently located offices throughout the city, including a law office in Queens. Your case is the most important thing to you, so it’s the most important thing to us.
As evidence of our commitment to working people, the firm’s attorneys specialize in workers’ compensation cases. We are advocates for people across industries who have experienced an on-the-job injury and need benefits and support.
There is no case too complex for our firm to handle. We have a strong track record of positive results in workers’ compensation cases, including a $260,000 recovery for a corrections officer who was involved in five different incidents requiring the use of force, resulting in multiple injuries. We have helped injured New Yorkers recover over $500 million in compensation. Let us put our skills and experience to work for you.
Shulman & Hill is led by a legal team that has won the respect of our colleagues in the legal industry. Founding partner Alex Shulman has been selected to the list of New York Super Lawyers each year since 2007. Super Lawyers conducts independent research and combines it with peer evaluations to create its annual list. Only 5 percent of attorneys in each state make the cut.
Alex has also been recognized in The National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers list. Membership is by invitation only, and getting an invitation involves a highly selective vetting process conducted by the association of top trial lawyers in the country.
Accolades aside, what matters most to Shulman & Hill is defending the rights of people living with injuries sustained at little to no fault of their own. When you work with us, you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands.
What Occupations Have the Highest Rates of Workplace Injuries?
Some types of jobs have a reputation for a high risk of injury. For example, industries like transportation and manufacturing see higher rates of workplace accidents. Among other things, we have experience handling workers’ compensation claims involving:
- Construction accidents
- Welding accidents
- Slip and falls
- Scaffolding accidents
- Machinery accidents
- Electrocution accidents
- Crane accidents
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board revealed in an annual report that most claims came from the industries listed below. These ten industries made up 85.7 percent of all workers’ compensation claims made in New York state in 2022.
- Public administration
- Health care and social assistance
- Transportation and warehousing
- Retail trade
- Educational services
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Accommodation and food services
- Administrative and support
- Wholesale trade
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,500,000 settlement for a non-union laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,000,000 settlement for an immigrant laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,175,000 settlement for a 29-year-old construction worker
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for an undocumented day laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a bus driver
Common Workers’ Compensation Injuries at Queens Workplaces
Because we defend the rights of people from all walks of life, our Queens workers’ compensation lawyers have seen firsthand the wide range of injuries that can lead to a claim. Common injuries in workers’ compensation cases include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Breathing or respiratory issues
- Thermal, electrical, and chemical burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including full or partial paralysis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
It can take weeks or months for the full impact of your injury to become clear after a workplace accident. Therefore, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible to make sure your latent injuries are not overlooked.
By getting in touch with our workers’ compensation lawyer in Queens early on, you can get the legal support needed to obtain full and fair compensation. Your lawyer will serve as your closest ally throughout the life of your claim, making sure you understand your full legal rights and options.
How Can a Queens Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Shulman & Hill Help?
After a workplace accident, you might feel overwhelmed by the legal aftermath. By working with one of our Queens workers’ compensation attorneys you can get much-needed legal advice and support. Our attorneys can help you by:
- Reviewing the details of your case – Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can review your medical information and the details of what happened the day you were hurt. We can offer an objective assessment of the benefits and compensation you are likely entitled to.
- Taking over the gathering and filing of paperwork – Your claim might require several doctors’ assessments and supporting documentation. Our team can help pull together this information as evidence of your injury and financial losses.
- Negotiating with insurance companies and the other side – An insurance company might want to downplay the seriousness of your injuries. They might deny your claim or offer you less compensation than it is worth. We will push for a fair settlement and make sure they do not take advantage of you.
- Getting things done as quickly as possible – While we can’t control the entire New York workers’ compensation process, we understand that you will need your benefits while recovering from your injury. We’ll stay on top of things, handling your case efficiently to get you your benefits as soon as possible.
- Appealing your case if you are denied – New York state has a strict appeals process for a workers’ compensation decision. As lawyers focused on these types of cases, we can use our knowledge and experience to provide the best representation possible in an appeal.
Most importantly, our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you with the unexpected. Your attorney can provide advice and guidance if you get a claims denial or a sudden request for paperwork. We can give you our thoughts on what’s fair and offer our services to help.
What Is Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses and lost wage payments for injuries and illnesses sustained while working. Employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance. When you file a claim, it’s the employer’s insurance company that pays.
Workers’ compensation is different from a lawsuit because, in a workers’ compensation case, no party is determined to be at fault. Therefore, you typically won’t lose your benefits if you were simply careless at your job. However, you can lose your right to workers’ compensation in New York if your injuries were somehow caused by an intent to injure yourself or another.
If a third party is responsible for your injuries, you can sue them outside of the workers’ compensation process. An example is when a property owner is legally responsible for safety on a construction site and fails to uphold their duty.
Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses necessary to treat your injury. These benefits may pay for things like:
- Medical care
- Dental care
- Eye care
- Surgery
- Medications
- Assistive devices
The program also covers lost wages if you cannot work for fourteen or more days. These benefits may also be available if you make less money because your hours were reduced or you were forced to do different work.
Wage benefits are not paid for the first seven days of the injury unless your injury lasts for two weeks or more. Once it lasts for at least two weeks, you can get benefits from the first day of the injury.
How Does the Workers’ Compensation Process Work?
People injured in workplace accidents often wonder what steps they should take. In order to get workers’ compensation benefits in New York, you have to take at least two steps:
- Inform your employer about the injury within 30 days.
- File a claim with the workers’ compensation board within two years.
To file a claim with the workers’ compensation board you must fill out the following forms:
- Employee Claim (Form C-3)
- Limited Release of Health Information (Form C-3.3)
Before taking these steps, we also recommend meeting with a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. This will ensure that you know your legal rights and are not taken advantage of.
Do I Need a Lawyer To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Queens?
You do not need a lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, partnering with an attorney can be very helpful, because they will make sure you know your full legal rights and options. Our attorneys will advocate for your interests if your claim is disputed and represent you in a third-party lawsuit if necessary in your case.
Call Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Queens Today
Shulman & Hill is made up of dedicated attorneys who passionately defend the rights of injured workers throughout the five boroughs of New York. Visit our Queens law office today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation. We are here to help.