Why Choose The Sanders Law Firm for Your NYC Workers’ Compensation Case
Your City. Your Case. Our Fight. Here’s why countless New Yorkers have trusted us to stand by them after suffering a workplace injury:
- Decades of experience: Founded in 1967, our firm has been fighting for injured New Yorkers for over 50 years.
- Billions recovered: We’ve recovered billions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
- Litigation-focused advocacy: We focus heavily on litigation, filing appeals and lawsuits when appropriate, rather than rushing to settle. This approach gives us leverage against powerful insurance providers.
- Vast resources: Our financial strength and professional network of medical experts and investigators enable us to support complex cases.
- Accessible representation: We provide multilingual support in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and other languages to make quality representation accessible to New Yorkers from all walks of life. Our clear communication and no upfront fees further support this approach.
- 24/7 availability: Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide support when you need it most.
They kept me informed every step of the way, couldn’t have asked for a better representation.
Great big thank you to sanders brooklyn office, Ali, and Aziz for their support and dedication during my settlement case. From the very beginning the team was professional, compassionate, and truly committed to achieving the best outcome for me.
Rashid K.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims We Can Help You With
Many scenarios can lead to a workers’ compensation claim. Our team represents New Yorkers facing a wide range of workers’ comp cases, including:
- Asbestos claims: Workers in industries throughout New York City have historically been exposed to asbestos on the job. We pursue fair compensation for those workers who later develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
- Heavy equipment accidents: Industrial equipment can cause catastrophic injuries without proper safety precautions. Accidents involving heavy machinery often leave workers facing long recovery periods and permanent disability.
- Slip and fall accidents: Workers may slip and fall on wet floors, debris, or uneven surfaces at work in many different industries, even in environments that seem low-risk.
- Crane accidents: Crane collapses and falling loads can create dangerous conditions for workers on construction sites. These claims may involve third-party companies, adding new layers of liability in a construction accident case.
- Construction fall injuries:Falls from scaffolding and ladders are common on construction sites and often result in serious injuries requiring extensive time off work.
- Elevator accidents: Elevator malfunctions can cause sudden drops or door-related injuries for workers using this equipment.
What Benefits Are Available Under New York’s Workers’ Compensation System?
- Medical coverage: Workers’ comp covers all necessary medical treatment related to your injury or illness. This may include doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.
- Wage replacement: If your injury prevents you from working, you may receive payments replacing part of your income. The amount is based on your average weekly earnings and level of disability.
- Survivor benefits: If a worker dies from a job-related injury or illness, their surviving spouse or minor children may receive weekly cash benefits. They may also receive financial assistance with funeral or memorial expenses.
Do You Have To Prove Fault in a Workers' Compensation Claim in New York?
While some New York work injury cases result in criminal prosecutions, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. That means you don’t have to prove that anyone caused your injury to receive benefits. As long as your injury happened while you were performing your job duties, you may qualify for workers’ comp.
There are limited exceptions to no-fault coverage. You may not qualify for benefits if you intentionally injured yourself. You may also lose your right to recover benefits if your intoxication caused your injury while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
We Have Your Back
Founded in 1967, The Sanders Law Firm has grown into a large, thriving organization of attorneys, paralegals, medical consultants, and support staff – all committed to providing the highest level of legal representation to injured New Yorkers.
Important Deadlines for Work Injury Claims in New York
New York’s workers’ compensation law requires you to notify your employer about your work-related injury within 30 days. Missing this deadline could cause you to lose your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits.
You must also report your injury to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board as soon as possible using Employee Claim Form C-3. In most cases, the Board must receive notice of your claim within two years of the accident. If you develop an occupational illness, you generally have two years to file from when the condition causes disability and you discovered it was related to your job.
Reasons Why Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Might Get Denied or Delayed
Delays and denials are common in workers’ compensation cases. This often happens because of disputes over whether the injury happened at work. Your employer may argue that you were hurt outside of your job duties or that your injury is related to a pre-existing condition.
The insurer may even question whether you were classified as an employee when you were injured. Missed deadlines and missing documentation can also complicate your claim.
In some cases, the insurance carrier may dispute the severity of your injuries and how they impact your ability to return to work. It may require you to attend an independent medical exam, where the insurer’s doctor evaluates your injuries. The findings of this exam might conflict with your treating physician’s opinion and impact the amount of benefits you’re entitled to receive.
A denial does not mean your case is over. You have the right to request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge and challenge the decision. Many workers successfully recover benefits after an appeal.
Can You File a Lawsuit AND Collect Workers’ Compensation?
In some situations, you may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits while also pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for the same injury.
This may be possible if someone other than your employer or coworker contributed to your injury. For example, a delivery driver may be struck by a reckless driver while on the road, or a construction worker may be injured by defective equipment resulting from manufacturing errors. In another scenario, a contractor might ignore safety protocols on a shared job site, causing another worker to suffer serious injuries.
A third-party injury or wrongful death lawsuit would allow you to recover damages not available through workers’ compensation, such as full wage replacement and pain and suffering. Identifying every responsible party can help maximize your total compensation after a workplace injury. Our NYC workers’ compensation lawyers can evaluate your case to determine if you’re eligible for both types of claims and handle the process for each on your behalf.
How Our Manhattan Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim
While workers’ comp is designed to benefit injured employees, the system is not always worker-friendly. Employers and insurance providers hold a lot of power in determining whether to approve your claim, how much you receive, and how long your benefits continue. You have the right to push back, and our legal team can help you do just that.
We’re here to lighten your mental load in the challenging aftermath of an injury and fight for your right to full benefits. While you focus on your health, our attorneys will be hard at work handling every aspect of your claim, including:
- Investigating the accident to determine what caused your injury
- Evaluating all potential sources of compensation, including a third-party injury lawsuit
- Filing your claim
- Gathering strong supporting evidence and submitting it to the insurer
- Collaborating with your doctor and expert witnesses
- Communicating with the insurance carrier
- Addressing denials and handling appeals
- Representing you at Workers’ Compensation Board hearings
Start Moving Forward With Your Workers’ Comp Claim Today
Large employers and workers’ comp insurers have powerful teams working to limit what they pay. You deserve an equal level of advocacy after suffering a workplace injury or illness. The Sanders Law Firm is ready to challenge any attempts to minimize your benefits and pursue every dollar you’re entitled to under New York law.
Contact us online or call (833) SANDERS to schedule a free consultation with our New York City workers’ compensation lawyers today. We’re available 24/7 to support you, and it costs nothing out of pocket to get started.