If you’ve been hurt on the job, Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our Staten Island work injury lawyers know how life-changing workplace injuries can be. With 50 combined years of experience, including 20 years from our principal attorney, we have the knowledge and dedication to handle your case.
Whether you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, we can help. Our Staten Island personal injury lawyers have successfully helped workers recover damages for on-the-job injuries.
Reach out to us today to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Our Staten Island Work Injury Attorneys Can Help After Various On-the-Job Accidents
Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, leaving you facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges. At Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped clients across Staten Island recover compensation for a wide range of workplace injuries.
Some of the most common on-the-job accident cases we handle include:
- Construction accidents: Falls from scaffolding, equipment malfunctions, and unsafe working conditions can cause severe injuries.
- Slip and falls: Wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting often lead to serious injuries. Our slip and fall at work lawyer can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Tasks performed repeatedly over time can cause conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
- Machinery accidents: Faulty equipment or improper use of machinery can result in life-altering injuries, including amputations.
- Chemical or toxic exposure: Exposure to hazardous substances can lead to burns, respiratory issues, or long-term illnesses.
If you’ve been injured on the job, a Staten Island workers’ comp lawyer from our team is ready to help you seek the maximum compensation available.
Case Today (212) 977-2020
Workers’ Compensation Claims vs. Personal Injury Lawsuits After a Staten Island Work Injury
When you’re injured at work, you may have two potential avenues for recovering compensation: filing a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Each option has its distinct purpose and scope, depending on the circumstances of your injury. Here’s the difference:
- Workers’ compensation claims: Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system designed to provide benefits to employees injured on the job. You don’t need to prove negligence to receive compensation. A Staten Island workers’ comp attorney can guide you through the process to ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to.
- Personal injury lawsuits: In some cases, a third party may be responsible for your injury. Unlike workers’ compensation claims, a personal injury lawsuit requires proving negligence but allows you to recover additional damages, such as pain and suffering.
Our Staten Island injured at work lawyer can explore your legal options and tailor a strategy to suit your unique circumstances.
Who Could Be Liable in a Staten Island Work Accident?
While your employer is typically protected from lawsuits under workers’ compensation laws, third parties may still be held accountable for your injuries. These parties might include:
- Third-party contractors: On construction sites or shared workspaces, contractors or subcontractors may be responsible for creating unsafe conditions.
- Equipment manufacturers: Defective machinery or tools can lead to serious injuries, making manufacturers liable under product liability laws.
- Property owners: If you were injured due to unsafe conditions on a property not owned by your employer, the property owner may be held accountable.
If you’re unsure which path to pursue, a Staten Island work accident lawyer from Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case and help you seek the maximum compensation available.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Work Injury?
If you’ve been injured at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or compensation from a personal injury lawsuit, whether through a settlement or court-ordered verdict. The types of compensation you can receive differ between these two legal processes.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation is designed to cover specific losses related to your workplace injury, including:
- Reasonably necessary medical expenses: This includes treatments, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications needed for your recovery.
- A portion of your wages: Workers’ compensation provides partial wage replacement for the time you are unable to work due to your injury.
- Disability benefits: If you suffer a temporary or permanent disability, these benefits help compensate for your reduced earning capacity.
- Vocational rehabilitation: If you’re unable to return to your previous job, workers’ compensation may cover the costs of retraining or education to help you transition to a new career.
Personal Injury Lawsuit Damages
If a third party’s negligence caused your workplace injury, you may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover additional damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
- Diminished earning capacity: If your injury impacts your ability to work in the future, you may be compensated for the long-term loss of income.
- Future medical expenses: Unlike workers’ comp, a personal injury lawsuit may provide compensation for anticipated medical costs related to your injury, such as ongoing treatments or surgeries.
Understanding what compensation you’re entitled to can be challenging, but a Staten Island work injury attorney can guide you through the process.
Statute of Limitations for Workplace Injury Lawsuits
If you’ve been injured at work, it’s important to act quickly to protect your rights. In New York, the statute of limitations generally sets strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit.
- For workers’ compensation claims, you typically have two years from the date of the injury or the date you became aware of a work-related illness to file a claim (New York Workers’ Compensation Law § 28).
- For a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, such as a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the injury (CPLR § 214).
Missing these deadlines can bar you from recovering compensation, so consult with a Staten Island workers’ comp attorney as soon as possible to ensure your lawsuit or claim is filed on time.
Let Our Work Injury Attorneys in Staten Island Help
If you’ve been injured at work, you deserve a legal team that is relentless in dealing with insurance companies and experienced in managing all aspects of workplace injury cases.
At Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers, we pride ourselves on being transparent about the entire process, helping to educate our clients so they understand every step of their case.
A Staten Island workman’s compensation lawyer from our firm will fight to secure the benefits, settlement, or verdict that fairly compensates you for your losses. Come in as a client, leave as a friend. Contact us today for a free consultation.
