Long Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Every year, millions of Americans are injured at work. While you will hopefully never be injured in a work-related accident on Long Island, if you ever are, it is important to understand your legal rights.

In most cases, when you are injured at work in New York State you can pursue compensation for your medical bills and similar financial losses by filing a claim to collect workers’ compensation benefits.

You should strongly consider hiring a Long Island workers’ compensation lawyer when doing so. Our team at Shulman & Hill is prepared to help you pursue benefits with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. Schedule a free legal consultation today to learn more about how we can help.

Workers’ Compensation on Long Island: What You Need to Know

New York law requires the vast majority of employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. As the name implies, this form of insurance serves to compensate employees who are injured on the job. Workers’ compensation may also compensate employees who develop significant medical conditions due to work-related circumstances, such as cancer or repetitive stress injuries. Injured and ill employees can seek workers’ compensation by filing a claim to collect from their employer’s insurance.

Long Island Workers’ Compensation: Potential Conflicts

Filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits does not automatically guarantee that you will recover what you may be entitled to. Insurance companies are still profit-driven businesses. Insurers may try to protect themselves financially by denying valid claims.

The following are among the more common justifications an insurer may use when rejecting a claim for workers’ compensation benefits:

• The accident that caused an employee’s injuries was not genuinely work-related
• An employee was harmed because they were intentionally attempting to injure themselves, perhaps in hopes of a payout

Those are just a few examples. They highlight the importance of enlisting the help of a Long Island workers’ compensation law firm when seeking compensation after a work-related accident. Having qualified legal representation may improve the chances of your claim being accepted.

Applying for Workers’ Compensation for Long-Term Medical Conditions

Workers’ compensation does not merely apply to injuries that occur after a single incident. It can also compensate employees who develop illnesses or chronic injuries over an extended time frame. This may be true even if an illness took a relatively long time to develop. Examples of illnesses and medical conditions that may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits include:

• Cancer
• Lung disease
• Hearing loss
• Repetitive stress injuries

It can be difficult to know whether a medical condition you are diagnosed with is one that provides you with grounds to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Consult with one of Shulman & Hill’s Long Island workers’ compensation attorneys if you are not sure whether you should file a claim.

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Work-Related Accident

A Long Island workers’ compensation lawyer can play a critical role in helping you secure the compensation you may deserve. However, it is also important to be familiar with the steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of a work-related accident to maximize your chances of recovering compensation.

If you are ever involved in a work-related accident, it is recommended that you take the following key steps rights away:

• Seek medical attention, regardless of whether you believe yourself to be seriously injured
• Alert your supervisor or a similar party as soon as possible. If you speak with them verbally, follow up with a written account
• Get the contact information and names of any witnesses
• Speak with an attorney to discuss your options for compensation

That first step is critical. Sometimes, the symptoms of an injury may not present themselves right away. An injury may not become noticeable days or even weeks after an accident.

You should see a doctor right away to receive any treatment you may need. Seeking immediate medical attention may also improve your chances of recovering compensation. If you do not receive treatment, an insurer may argue that you have not provided enough evidence to show your injury resulted from an accident at work. They might use this argument as justification to deny your claim.

The Role of a Workers’ Compensation Law Firm for Long Island

Hiring a Long Island workers’ compensation attorney in these circumstances can be helpful for several reasons. We can assist you in the following key ways:

Investigating

In order to build a strong claim, you will need to gather evidence that shows how you were injured and the extent of your losses. When pursuing compensation for cancer or a similar medical condition an investigation may be critical in order to show that your work conditions caused your illness. Our Long Island attorneys have the experience and resources needed to do so.

Handling the Claims Process

Receiving workers’ compensation benefits can potentially be a tedious process that involves coordinating with doctors, corresponding with insurance adjusters, and more. This is not a process you need to burden yourself with at a time when you should be focusing on your recovery. Our Long Island office will handle these tasks for you.

Challenging Denials

If an insurer rejects your valid claim, having effective legal representation can help you challenge the denial. Shulman & Hill’s workers’ compensation lawyers understand the ins and outs of workers’ compensation and will fight on your behalf to ensure you are able to receive the benefits you may be entitled to. If an insurer still refuses your claim, our attorneys can present your case to a workers’ compensation judge.

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

When navigating the often complex workers’ compensation process, having a qualified lawyer by your side can make a significant difference in your ability to secure benefits. At Shulman & Hill, we do not make vague promises about our ability to assist clients. Our track record of consistent success demonstrates why we are the right Long Island workers’ compensation lawyers to handle your case.

For more information about how we can help, call us today at 516.613.3196 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation. You will only pay for our services if we secure benefits on your behalf.