Long Island Hospital Workplace Injuries Lawyer

Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, but hospital workers face unique risks while on the job. Hospitals are busy places, and staff members have their hands full tending to numerous patients. Hazards could crop up anywhere and cause a hospital workplace injury.

At Shulman & Hill, we handle both workers’ compensation claims and third-party liability lawsuits. You won’t have to worry about going to two different law firms to pursue the compensation you deserve. We can lead the entire legal process for you, regardless of what course of action your case calls for.

Learn more about how our hospital workplace injuries attorney on Long Island can help. Get in touch online or call us at 516.613.3196 today.

How Hospital Workplace Injuries Can Happen on Long Island

Hazards can exist in any workplace, but they can be particularly abundant in a hospital. Some examples of dangers and potential injuries healthcare workers face daily include:

• Sleek surfaces, which can lead to slip and fall accidents
• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Exposure to toxins, which manufacturers may use in building the hospital
• Unsterilized surgical equipment
• Repetitive stress injuries from heavy lifting since healthcare workers often must transfer patients from beds
• Risk of exposure to radiation from diagnostic equipment
• Risk of harm due to violent patients

According to BMJ Quality and Safety, understaffed hospitals put their healthcare workers at even greater risk of experiencing a workplace accident. Despite safety protocols, accidents can occur if hospital workers are trying to care for more patients than they can handle.

Additionally, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health noted a lack of specialized training among hospital staff regarding manual patient handling. The study noted the risks of musculoskeletal deterioration from repeatedly handling patients without ample training. Healthcare workers who lack such training may experience a greater risk of injury when transferring patients, such as from beds to wheelchairs.

Types of Hospital Workplace Injuries

Any of the above-mentioned circumstances can lead to a range of injuries for healthcare workers, such as:

• Sprains and strains
• Slipped discs
• Bloodborne and airborne infections and diseases
• Broken bones
• Cuts and punctures
• Burns
• Soreness and chronic pain

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), sprains and strains make up more than half of the injuries hospital workers endure. Overall, OSHA reported a total of 221,400 work-related injuries and illnesses in hospitals across the U.S. in 2019.

Make Sure You See a Doctor After a Hospital Workplace Injury

We can take care of the entire legal process for you, but you can protect your right to compensation by seeing a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you think your injuries are minor, remember that latent symptoms can appear down the road. Furthermore, delaying treatment can worsen your injuries and leave room for an insurer to deny or undervalue a claim.

Your medical records can help us link your accident to someone else’s negligence and get a full accounting of your losses. For your health and your case, make an appointment with your primary care physician and follow through with any treatment plan they prescribe you.

What to Expect During a Hospital Workplace Injuries Case

Whether you pursue a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, seeking compensation for a hospital workplace injury can get complicated. For one, there may be multiple parties that share liability, which can give insurers fodder to argue about who foots the bill.

You don’t have to go at it alone, though. When filing a lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim, you have the right to legal representation. Our Long Island, NY, hospital workplace injuries lawyers can negotiate with insurers and handle defense attorneys.

We can:

• Fight for fair compensation
• Represent you in a trial if necessary

When our personal injury lawyers handle your case, you don’t have to look anywhere else for legal support. We can also:

• File any necessary paperwork on time
• Keep you up to date with your case’s progress
• Answer any questions you may have about your case

Establishing Liability for Your Hospital Workplace Injuries on Long Island

One of the first steps we take when seeking compensation is to investigate your accident and injuries. We may gather eyewitness testimony or official documentation of the accident, such as an incident report. We may also speak with your doctors to gather evidence and expert testimony on the severity of your injuries and your prognosis. This will help us establish a link between your losses and another party’s negligence.

There are many ways a party can breach their duty of care and cause an accident in a hospital workplace. For example, a staff member or administrator may fail to:

• Perform regular inspections and maintenance on the premises
• Adequately train healthcare workers
• Maintain adequate patient-to-staff ratios
• Implement sterilization and hygiene protocols
• Secure the premises

Since the employer is usually responsible for their employees’ negligence, they would be liable for your damages.

Compensation Our Long Island Hospital Workplace Injuries Attorneys Can Seek

Whether you are a hospital worker suffering from a strain or an infectious disease, such injuries can come with long-term complications. Your current medical bills may just be the tip of the iceberg if you face a permanent impairment or ongoing medical condition. Such injuries can also keep you away from work, either temporarily or permanently.

You shouldn’t have to foot the bill for these losses. Our hospital workplace injuries lawyers on Long Island can account for the ways your accident affected you physically, emotionally, and financially. At Shulman & Hill, our goal is to ensure you do not have to suffer further losses on account of someone else’s negligence.

However, the type of damages you recover depends on the type of case you’re filing.

Workers’ Compensation Claim

If your employer bears responsibility for your hospital workplace injury, you’re eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Note that the state does not permit employees to sue their employer.

According to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), you could recover benefits for your medical bills and a percentage of your lost wages. If you lost your loved one to their related injuries, you could collect survivor benefits.

Third-Party Injury Lawsuit

If someone other than your employer is responsible for your workplace injury, you could file a third-party lawsuit against them. We can pursue compensation for:

• Your current medical bills
• Future medical bills if you suffer a permanent impairment
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lost wages, including bonuses, benefits, and paid sick leave
• Reduced earning capacity or vocational training if you cannot perform your work duties with your injuries
• Out-of-pocket accident-related expenses
• Wrongful death damages

As with every case, your potential compensation depends on various factors, such as the extent of your injuries and the losses you incur in their wake. We pride ourselves on giving each case the individualized attention it deserves, but our goal never changes–we want to seek fair recovery for your accident-related injuries.

We Take Hospital Workplace Injuries Cases on a Contingency-Fee Basis

At Shulman & Hill, we understand you may already be facing financial strain after a hospital workplace injury. We are not here to add more stress to your plate. If you’re worried you can’t afford legal representation, let us put your mind at ease. We take workers’ compensation cases and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.

This allows us to get started immediately on building your case and saves you the risk of further financial loss. You can start with a free consultation to learn about your legal options. From there, we only take our payment from a potential settlement or verdict we win for you.

You have nothing to lose by giving us a call and talking about your accident-related injuries. We are here to listen and help.

Time Frame to File Your Workplace Injuries Case in New York State

Workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits have filing deadlines you must meet to recover your damages. Otherwise, you’re responsible for paying them off.

• According to the WCB, you have up to two years to file for workers’ compensation benefits.
• Under CVP § 214, you generally have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• Per EPT § 5-4.1, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Work With Our Hospital Workplace Injuries Lawyers on Long Island, NY

As a healthcare worker, you work hard and dedicate yourself to your patients’ well-being. Such important work shouldn’t come with increased risks of injuries due to someone’s negligence. Our hospital workplace injuries team can handle the legal legwork of pursuing compensation while you rest and recover.

You don’t have to look elsewhere for a workers’ compensation lawyer or a personal injury lawyer. Whatever your case calls for, we can help. Access your free consultation when you get in touch with Shulman & Hill online or call us at 212-221-1000. You are under no obligation when you call, and you can discuss your legal options with our team.