Watertown Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Helping Watertown Workers Get the Compensation They Deserve

Work injury got you down? A skilled Workers Compensation Attorney in Watertown can fight for the benefits you deserve. Our law firm specializes in providing expert legal representation if you’re injured on the job in Watertown. We understand the physical, mental, emotional and financial toll that workplace injuries can take on you and your family. Our legal team handles all matters so you can focus on healing and getting back to normal.

We’re here to fight for your future and your peace of mind.

What is Workers Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to employees who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses. Eligibility extends to any employee who suffers from a job-related injury or illness. These laws actively ensure that injured workers receive timely and fair compensation, avoiding the need for long drawn-out lawsuits against employers.

For help with your claim, contact our knowledgeable workers compensation law firm or an experienced workers comp lawyer or work injury lawyer.

Why Do You Need A Lawyer For Workers Compensation?

Facing a workplace injury can be unbearable. Medical bills pile up, wages are lost and coping with the convoluted worker compensation system might feel impossible. Here’s why having a workers compensation lawyer on your side can make all the difference:

Denial of Benefits: Lawyers can fight for the compensation you deserve and challenge unfair claim denials by insurance companies.
Legal Expertise: Protects your rights and increases chances of success.
Evidence: Gathers and presents supporting evidence on your behalf using legal arguments most likely to result in success..
Case Building: Constructs a strong case against the responsible party.
Paperwork: Manages all legal paperwork efficiently.
Communication: Deals with third-party representatives.
Medical Evaluations: Protects your rights during insurance-arranged medical exams and helps you obtain necessary care.
Settlement Offers: Assesses your case, negotiates a fair settlement and prevents you from accepting a lowball offer.

Worker compensation lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. This method ensures their interests align with yours, maximizing the compensation you receive.

If you’ve suffered injuries at work, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. A qualified New York State Bar workers’ compensation lawyer can be your strongest advocate, ensuring you get the fair treatment and compensation you deserve.

Ensure your rights are protected. Contact a workers compensation lawyer today to maximize your claim’s potential!

What are Potential Obstacles in Compensation Claim Cases?

Worker compensation can be tricky. Here’s what might slow you down, along with ways to overcome the potential traps:

Strict Time Limits: Missing state deadlines weakens or prevents workers’ comp claims. Reporting injuries quickly and consulting a lawyer helps ensure timely, proper filing.
Complex Legal Statutes: New York State’s Workers’ Compensation Law, Article 2 (§§ 9-35), details the requirements and procedures for workers’ compensation claims. Consulting a lawyer can ensure your claim meets all legal requirements and helps you secure the benefits you’re entitled to.
Insurance Company Tactics: Insurers often employ strategies to delay or dispute claims to minimize payouts. A lawyer can anticipate these tactics, gather evidence, and negotiate maximum compensation.

Seek advice from seasoned workers’ compensation law firms. They can help you overcome these hurdles and get the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Stanley as Your Workers Compensation Attorney?

Choose Stanley Law Office for unparalleled expertise in workers’ compensation law. With over 90 years of combined experience, our team excels in:

Handling Complex Cases: We are adept at managing challenging workers’ compensation cases.
Securing Maximum Compensation: We strive to achieve the highest compensation possible for our clients.
Delivering Personalized Service: Our approach is client-centered, ensuring personalized attention.
Building Trust: We have a strong, established reputation among our neighbors in the Watertown community.

Ready to secure your rights and future? Contact our workers’ compensation attorneys in Watertown today for a free consultation!

Common Workers Compensation Claim Injuries

Worker compensation claims frequently result from a variety of injuries that can occur in the workplace. Some of the most common types of worker compensation claims include:

Back Injuries: Often occur through heavy lifting or repetitive tasks.
Slip and Fall Injuries: Common across both indoor and outdoor workplaces with hard floor surfaces, these can lead to fractures or head trauma.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): These include tasks like typing, which can lead to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Burn Injuries: Both chemical and heat-related, these are prevalent in manufacturing sectors.
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Chronic conditions that affect joints and muscles.
Head and Brain Injuries: Resulting from strikes to the head by machinery or hanging beams, falls or vehicular accidents, these can severely impact cognitive functions.
Eye Injuries: Caused by exposure to hazardous particles, chemicals or physical trauma from projectile material.

If you have experienced any of the above-mentioned workplace injuries, consult a worker comp lawyer, work injury lawyer, or workplace injury attorney to understand your rights and options for pursuing a worker compensation claim.

Types of Compensation in Work Injury Cases

Workers injured on the job may be entitled to various compensations aimed at reducing the financial burdens and ensuring adequate victim support:

Physical Compensation

Medical Bills: Coverage includes current and future medical expenses directly related to the injury.
Lost Wages: Compensation for wages lost while recovering.
Permanent Disability: Benefits awarded for permanent impairments that affect future earning potential.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Educational assistance in returning to work or retraining for new employment.
Death Benefits: Offered to dependents if the workplace injury results in death.

Psychological Compensation

Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Addresses mental suffering caused by workplace injury.

For expert guidance, contact a work injury lawyer, work accident lawyer or injured at work lawyer to help your case effectively.

Steps to Follow After a Workplace Accident

A workplace accident can be a disorienting, frightening and highly stressful experience. Knowing what steps to take immediately after an accident can help protect your health, rights, and ability to recover compensation. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Ensure Safety

Assess the situation: Secure the area if the accident poses further danger.
Seek medical attention: This is a top priority. Even if your injuries seem minor, seek prompt medical help. Ensure you receive proper medical care and document all diagnoses and treatments.

Report the Accident

Inform your employer immediately. Your employer and/or workplace site should have specific protocols for reporting accidents. Follow those guidelines carefully.
File an incident report. This document will detail the accident and should be completed accurately and kept for your records.

Document Everything

Gather witness information: Get the names and contact details of any coworkers, contractor personnel, clients or customers who saw the accident.
Take photos of the scene: This includes the accident location, any equipment involved, and your injuries (if possible).
Keep a detailed record of the event: Write down everything you remember about the accident, including the date, time, cause and any witnesses present.

Understand Your Rights

Workers’ compensation: Most workplaces have workers’ compensation insurance that provides medical benefits and lost wages for work-related injuries.
Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney: An experienced workplace injury attorney protects your rights and guides you through complex procedures.
File Your Claim: Collaborate with your work accident lawyer to complete and file your claim accurately.
Follow Up on Your Claim: Stay informed about your claim’s progress and provide necessary information.

Contact our workers’ compensation lawyer Watertown team for unparalleled support following a work injury.

Workers Compensation Attorney Watertown: FAQs

How Much Do Workers Comp Lawyers Charge in New York?

Workers’ compensation lawyers in New York typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning their fee is a percentage of the benefits you recover, usually ranging from 30% to 35%. You won’t pay anything upfront and will pay lawyer fees only if and when your case succeeds.

There might be some exceptions where an hourly rate is used, particularly for complex cases involving the support from outside experts of the legal and non-legal (e.g. medical) variety..

Here’s a quick comparison:

Contingency Fee: Your lawyer gets paid a percentage of your winnings, but you don’t pay anything upfront. There’s a strong incentive for the lawyer not only to win your case but to close it in expedient fashion.
Hourly Rate: You pay your lawyer by the hour they work on your case, regardless of the outcome.

How Long Can You Stay on Workers Comp in NY?

The duration of your workers’ compensation benefits in New York depends on your injury’s severity and recovery progress. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories and influencing factors:

Types of Benefits and Maximum Duration:

Benefit Type	Maximum Duration
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)	Up to 2 years
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)	Up to 2 years (with possible extensions in special cases)
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)	Varies based on disability rating (see chart below)
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)	Benefits last for your lifetime

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Chart:

Disability Rating (%)	Maximum Benefit Duration (Weeks)
16-30	Up to 250
31-40	Up to 275
41-50	Up to 300
51-60	Up to 350
61-70	Up to 375
71-75	Up to 400
76-80	Up to 425
81-85	Up to 450
86-90	Up to 475
91-95	Up to 500
96-99	Up to 525

Factors Influencing Duration:

Doctor’s Assessment: A Worker Compensation doctor assesses your injury to decide on disability level and work return.
Recovery Progress: Benefits adjust with recovery: TTD to TPD or end if work ready.
Extent of Disability: Injury severity & earning impact set PPD rating & benefit duration.

Note: Guidelines only. Doctor decides the benefit duration. Lawyer helps negotiate extensions.

Who Pays For Workers Compensation in New York?

Employers in Binghamton and other New York cities are required to have and maintain adequate workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.

Can You Get Another Job While on Workers Comp NY?

Generally, you can get another job while receiving workers’ compensation benefits in New York. However, there are some restrictions:

Your new job can’t exacerbate or reactivate your original injury. It could jeopardize your benefits or lead to a reduction.
Your total earnings (combined with workers’ comp) can’t exceed your pre-injury wages. Suppose your new job pays more than the difference between your benefits and pre-injury wages. In that case, there may be a reduction in your workers’ compensation benefits.

Example scenario:
Sarah injures her back at her factory job and gets workers’ compensation. While recovering, she starts a part-time online customer service job that allows her to work from home. As long as this job doesn’t strain her back and her total income stays below her pre-injury earnings, she can keep both the workers’ compensation benefits and her part-time income.

Does Workers Comp Count as Income in NY?

No! Workers’ compensation benefits are not taxable income in New York State. It means you won’t owe taxes on the money you receive to help you recover from your work injury.

How Long Does a Workers Comp Settlement Take in NY?

The timeline for a workers’ compensation settlement in New York can vary widely depending on the complexity of your case. Here’s a rough time frame:

Uncomplicated cases: These cases with straightforward and/or minor injury ramifications might settle within a few weeks or months.
Disputed cases: If there’s disagreement about the cause of your injury, the extent of your disability, or the value of your claim it could take several months or even a year or more to settle.