Long Island Utility Worker Injury Lawyer

Utility workers are essential to everyday life on Long Island, but servicing the electrical grid, water and gas lines, and other utilities can be dangerous. If you suffered an on-the-job injury on Long Island, you could get compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and other damages. However, the workers’ compensation and legal systems can prove confusing, and you may face challenges getting the benefits you need.

At Shulman & Hill, our utility worker injuries attorneys on Long Island, NY, have secured millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims, including injured workers. We know how to go after the best possible results in your case. Contact us today for a free case review and to learn what comes next: 516.613.3196.

Understanding Your Options After a Workplace Injury on Long Island, NY

A workplace injury refers to any injury or illness that occurs during working hours. For example, if your job requires that you drive, work from a ladder, or operate certain machinery, and you get injured while performing one of these tasks, it is a workplace injury.

Relatedly, workers can acquire certain work-related illnesses as a result of being in their work environment. They might face respiratory damage when exposed to dust or asbestos without receiving proper respiratory equipment, for instance.

Injured utility workers on Long Island could have multiple options for seeking compensation after a workplace injury. You could pursue:

• Workers’ compensation benefits – With a workers’ compensation claim, you could get your medical bills covered for your injuries and receive partial payment for lost wages.
• A third-party injury lawsuit – You can bring a third-party injury lawsuit if someone other than your employer is legally responsible for your injury. In these cases, you can seek additional compensation, such as for your pain and suffering.

Our utility worker injury attorneys on Long Island, NY, can help you determine what type of action you may be able to take.

Benefits and Compensation Available to Injured Workers in New York

Every case is unique, and what you receive in workers’ compensation benefits or from a personal injury case depends on your case’s facts.

However, you may be able to receive the following after a utility worker injury:

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

You could recover workers’ compensation benefits for:

• Medical bills: You should not have to pay out of pocket for your work-related medical bills. Workers’ compensation could cover your medications, surgeries, dental care, optometry care, medical devices, and other care necessary to treat your injuries.
• Lost wages: Workers’ compensation can cover a portion of your lost earnings if you are out of work for at least seven days.
• Survivor benefits: If your family lost your loved one to a workplace accident, you could receive several types of compensation­­–– as much as $12,500 for funeral and burial costs and up to two-thirds of your loved one’s wages before their passing.

(New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB))

Damages From a Third-Party Injury Case

If you’re eligible to bring a third-party injury lawsuit, you could receive several types of compensation, such as:

• Medical bills: You could get your necessary medical treatments covered, such as the cost of your past, present, and future care needs.
• Lost income: This includes your missed paychecks or the difference between your normal and current earnings.
• Reduced earning capacity: Some workers go on to earn less than they did prior to their injury, either changing careers or working fewer hours over the long term.
• Pain and suffering: In a lawsuit, you can seek compensation based on the severity of your injuries and the degree of your suffering.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Some injuries can leave workers with psychological scars. You could seek compensation for the cost of your treatment.
• Scarring and disfigurement: If your injuries are so severe that your appearance is altered, you can seek damages.

Again, these are possible forms of compensation. You may receive different types of damages or benefits in your case. Our utility lawyers serving Long Island can investigate your case, then explain what you may be able to recover.

How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Handle Your Long Island Injury Case

When you’re facing painful injuries and major bills, the last thing you want to do is handle a legal process on your own. This is where our personal injury lawyers can come in. At Shulman & Hill, we can:

Help You Gather Evidence

Whether you’re filing for workers’ compensation benefits or bringing an injury lawsuit, you need to have certain forms of evidence. Our attorneys can ensure that you file the correct paperwork and submit the appropriate supporting documentation.

Depending on your case, we may gather evidence such as:

• Medical bills
• Statements from your doctor
• Expert witness testimony
• Eyewitness statements
• Surveillance camera footage
• Photos from the scene of the accident

Handle the Financial Recovery Process for You

Getting the compensation or benefits you need entails multiple steps. Our attorneys can help you navigate it all, including:

• Submitting your paperwork
• Communicating with insurance companies or other lawyers
• Representing you during hearings or at trial
• Negotiating a settlement or award
• Helping you appeal if your benefits are denied

Protect Your Rights

Unfortunately, going after the compensation you need may not be easy. Sometimes, we have to help injured utility workers fight for their rights.

Our lawyers can help you counter these allegations:

• You were not injured on the job.
• Your injuries pre-existed the accident.
• Your injuries aren’t as serious as you say.
• You don’t really need certain forms of treatment.
• Your injuries don’t meet the criteria for benefits.

What Makes Shulman & Hill Different From Other Injury Lawyers?

If you work with Shulman & Hill, you have a premier New York injury law firm on your side. We understand worker protections under New York law, and we can fight for your rights.

Here’s why you may want to choose our Long Island utility worker injury attorneys:

• We have experience with workers’ compensation and injury lawsuits – Our attorneys aren’t just workers’ compensation lawyers. We have experience getting workers’ benefits and filing third-party lawsuits. So, we can explain what strategy is best for your case and see it through.
• We offer contingency-based representation – You don’t have to pay legal fees upfront. We only receive payment if we get results for you.
• We give personalized attention to each case – Our attorneys care about you and your case’s outcome. We don’t want you to feel like a number.
• We have a promising track record – We know how to get results. Our lawyers have won more than $300 million for past injury victims.

Common Causes of Injury for New York Utility Workers

Utility workers may install or maintain many types of utilities, including water, electricity, cable, gas, or sewage. You may regularly work in dangerous environments with equipment such as power lines, transformers, fuses, gas lines, and more. Whether you’re a lineworker or a plumber, each of these job types come with unique dangers. (3M)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA))

However, utility workers can face these accidents:

• Falling from heights
• Electrocutions
• Struck by objects
• Roadway traffic accidents
• Exposure to weather
• Chemical exposure (such as pesticides)
• Exposure to asbestos and lead paint
• Burns from steam or other heat sources
• Slip and falls
• Eye injuries from flying particles
• Defective equipment injuries
• Asphyxiation

Other types of injury accidents are possible, depending on your job site and occupation. No matter how you were hurt, our utility worker injuries lawyers on Long Island know how to handle your injury case or claim for benefits.

Examples of Utility Worker Injuries

Our attorneys help workers dealing with various injuries, such as:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Lacerations
• Burn injuries
• Chronic illnesses
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Broken bones
• Respiratory illnesses (such as lung scarring, mesothelioma, and more)

Worker Injury Statistics in New York and Nassau-Suffolk Counties

Nationally, 2.7 million non-fatal workplace injuries were reported in 2020. This was a 5.7 percent decline from the 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries reported in 2019. However, the number of workplace illnesses reported rose in that same time frame. Cases of workplace illnesses rose to 544,600 in 2020, compared with the 127,200 cases reported in 2019, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In New York, the BLS says that the following rates of injury were reported in 2020:

• 129,000 non-fatal injuries
• 6 non-fatal injuries or illnesses per 100 trade, transportation, and utility workers

Because there are about 255,000 trade, transportation, and utilities jobs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties as of July 2022, an estimated 2,550 workers faced injuries in that sector this year (based on the most currently available statistics).

Contact Shulman & Hill for a Free Case Review After a Work Injury in NY

A NY utility worker injury lawyer from our firm is ready to get to work for you. At Shulman & Hill, we offer free consultations so you can learn what comes next for your case. Let our attorneys help you start your financial recovery while you focus on healing from your injuries.

Contact us today at 516.613.3196 to get started.