Long Island City Tunnel Worker Injuries Lawyer

New York City is home to a massive network of underground tunnels. They may not always be visible, but they play a critical role in the city’s economy. So do the tunnel workers that build and maintain these impressive structures.

Unfortunately, working in tunnels can sometimes involve a unique degree of risk that employees in other occupations might not face. It is not uncommon for tunnel workers to sustain injuries in various types of accidents.

Have you or a loved one in the Long Island City neighborhood been injured in a tunnel accident? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for losses like medical bills and lost wages by filing a workers’ compensation claim and/or a personal injury lawsuit.

To optimize your chances of receiving a fair payout, you should strongly consider reviewing your case with a Long Island City tunnel worker injuries lawyer. At Shulman & Hill, our Long Island City lawyers can provide you with legal counsel and aggressive representation.

Common Long Island City Tunnel Worker Injuries

Common Long Island City tunnel injuries include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Broken bones
• Head trauma (which could interfere with everything from cognition to emotional regulation)
• Back injuries (potentially resulting in limited mobility or total paralysis)
• Knee injuries
• Burns
• Respiratory issues
• Crush injuries

Silicosis: A ‘Silent’ Long Island City Tunnel Worker Injury

Collapses and other massive accidents can seriously injure Long Island City’s tunnel workers. However, sometimes tunnel workers are not injured due to a one-time accident, but instead, suffer harm over a longer period of time due to their working conditions. For example, some tunnel workers become sick when they are exposed to dangerous levels of silica.

Breathing in excessive amounts of silica can cause a person to develop silicosis. This condition can put one at greater risk of developing various other conditions like lung cancer and kidney disease. Tunnel workers are particularly susceptible to developing silicosis.

Early symptoms of this condition may include a frequent cough, breathing difficulties, and excessive phlegm. As the illness progresses, a person may experience symptoms like:

• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Weight loss
• Sudden fever
• Blue lips
• Swollen legs
• Shortness of breath

Do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. The earlier you receive care, the better the odds your treatment will be effective.

Meeting with a doctor can also help you establish a paper trail that can be useful when building a case. Make sure to ask your doctor for a written record of your visit. This evidence could be a crucial component when seeking compensation.

How Our Law Firm In Long Island City Can Help You

If you are involved in even a minor accident while working in the tunnels beneath Long Island City, take the following immediate steps:

• Report the incident to your supervisor
• If possible, take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and other relevant details
• Get the names of witnesses
• See a doctor regardless of whether you believe you have been seriously injured

You can also schedule a consultation with our Long Island City law firm to discuss your accident. The following are key benefits of seeking representation from a qualified Long Island City tunnel worker injury lawyer:

Applying for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Employers are typically legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance in New York. As the name implies, this insurance compensates employees who sustain injuries or develop illnesses as a result of work-related accidents or similar conditions.

However, some insurance companies may have a tendency to prioritize their own financial interests when injured workers seek compensation. It is relatively common for an insurer to tell a claimant they are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits because they have not shown proof that their losses resulted from a genuine, on-the-job accident.

This is one of the top reasons to work with a Long Island City tunnel worker injury lawyer when filing a claim. A firm like Shulman & Hill can investigate your case to generate valuable evidence supporting your side of the story.

This is particularly important in cases when tunnel workers have developed silicosis or other such illnesses. These conditions may take years to develop. Proving they are the result of unsafe workplace conditions requires thoroughly investigating a victim’s work history. An attorney can take on this challenging task while you focus on your recovery.

Handling the Claims Process

When you file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, be aware that the process of pursuing compensation can involve a wide range of tasks including:

• Filing paperwork
• Gathering evidence
• Corresponding with insurance adjusters
• Coordinating with medical professionals

These may not be tasks you want to handle yourself after being harmed in a work accident. While you focus on your recovery, we can handle these tasks on your behalf.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If a party other than your employer contributed to your accident, including a general contractor or subcontractor, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to hold them financially accountable for your losses.

Our lawyers can investigate your accident, gather evidence demonstrating why you are entitled to compensation, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair payout. Our personal injury lawyers can help you spot low settlement offers and represent you in a trial if an insurance company refuses to settle.

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

At Shulman & Hill, we pride ourselves on a tremendous track record of success. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.

We can review your case for free to see if you may qualify for compensation. You can schedule a consultation online or you can give us a call.