Queens Hospital Workplace Injuries Lawyer
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how much we rely on dedicated hospital workers, particularly in Queens. However, hospital workers have always put their lives at risk every day to help others—not just during the pandemic.
Hospitals can be dangerous places to work. It is not uncommon for hospital workers across a range of occupations to be involved in on-the-job accidents that leave them with serious injuries.
If you or a loved one in the Queens area have been involved in such an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Schedule a free legal consultation with our Queens personal injury law firm to learn more. At Shulman & Hill, you will find a team of dedicated Queens hospital workplace injury attorneys who are prepared to offer the aggressive representation you need.
Queens Hospital Workplace Injuries: What You Need to Know
Do not underestimate the potential dangers involved when working at a hospital. According to OSHA research, hospitals are among the most dangerous environments for employees. In 2011, approximately 253,700 hospital-related workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in the United States alone. This means approximately 6.8 out of every 100 hospital workers sustained some type of work-related injury or illness that year.
Common causes of Queens hospital workplace injuries include—but are not limited to—the following:
- Muscle strains resulting from lifting patients
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals, bacteria, viruses, etc.
- Punctures or similar wounds
- Slip and fall accidents (which often occur if hospital workers are rushing to treat or assist patients on slippery floors)
- Physical attacks from agressive patients
- General overexertion
- Repetitive stress injuries
Preventing Queens Hospital Workplace Injuries
There are steps employers and hospital workers can take to minimize the risk of injury. They include:
- Adhering to all safety guidelines and ensuring they are clearly communicated to all staff
- Using the equipment properly and admitting when you do not know how to use a certain piece of equipment or machinery
- Properly disposing of hazardous substances and dangerous items (such as syringes)
- Waiting for help to move a patient instead of trying to do so on your own
- Reporting accidents (and even potential accidents) as soon as possible
The Aftermath of a Queens Hospital Workplace Accident
Even if you take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of both yourself and your coworkers, it is still possible to be involved in an accident at work. The injuries you sustain could leave you facing such losses as:
- Unexpected medical bills
- Lost wages (due to the inability to return to work while you recover from your injuries)
- Costs for long-term care
In New York State, you can seek compensation for most workplace-related injuries and illnesses by filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Before you file a claim, it is recommended that you meet with the workers’ compensation experts at our law firm. Filing a claim does not guarantee you will collect the full amount of compensation that you may be entitled to. Legal representation can help ensure your claim is successful and not wrongly denied.
How Our Queens Hospital Workplace Injuries Law Firm Can Help
Our Queens hospital workplace injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation in the following key ways.
Investigating the Accident
Your case needs to meet certain criteria for you to be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. You must show that:
- Your accident was genuinely work-related
- The accident did not occur because you were trying to harm yourself (with the goal of receiving compensation)
Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer may try to avoid paying you by arguing that you are not truly entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If your claim is wrongly denied, we can help gather evidence showing that your injuries occurred due to your working conditions. If necessary, we can also present your case to a workers’ compensation judge.
Keep in mind that your accident may also have resulted from negligence on the part of someone other than your employer. If a contractor or property owner caused your injury or illness, you may be able to pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Filing for Compensation
The process of seeking compensation for Queens workplace injuries may be new to you. As a result, it is likely you might not know how best to pursue compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys can investigate and determine all possible negligent parties, review your relevant losses, and recommend the best possible course of legal action. This may include filing a workers’ compensation claim and/or a personal injury lawsuit.
Negotiating
An insurer is likely not inclined to pay you the full amount of compensation you may qualify for. They would rather you work with them directly instead of hiring a lawyer so that you may be more likely to accept a smaller settlement.
At Shulman & Hill, our Queens hospital workplace injury lawyers can negotiate on your behalf so you can focus on what is most important: recovering from your injuries and regaining your health.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill?
When choosing a law firm in Queens, you need to be confident the attorneys handling your case are qualified to offer the representation you deserve. This is not something you need to worry about when you work with Shulman & Hill. We have a proven track record of success, having secured millions of dollars in compensation for our various clients over the years.
To learn more about what we can do for you, call us today at (555) 555-5555 or contact us online to schedule a free legal consultation. We can answer any questions you may have and will be your best source of legal advice.
WE WORK WITH YOU
TO GET YOU COMPENSATED
Everyday working people often struggle to afford top-tier legal representation. To ensure equal access to justice, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a settlement or verdict in your case.