What is Workers’ Compensation?

Queens Workers’ Compensation Law Offices

Representing Injured Workers Throughout New York City and the Greater New York Area

Workers’ compensation comes in two forms; medical benefits and indemnity (money) benefits. Workers’ compensation is paid by your employer or its insurance company if there is a work-related injury, occupational disease, or work-related death.

How does this work? New York law makes your employer responsible for paying in the event of an accident at work or if you develop an occupational disease (a medical condition that you have because of your job which does not involve a specific accident). Most companies comply with the law by purchasing an insurance policy from an insurance company, we call this company ‘the carrier.’ Some companies that are big enough have a pot of money for their injured workers to tap into and this arrangement is called a ‘self-insured employer’.

Whether your employer is self-insured or pays a ‘carrier’ (insurance company) to pay your benefits, you may be eligible for both medical coverage and indemnity [$] benefits. Medical coverage can pay for things like surgery, hospital bills, physical therapy, doctors visits, medications, and more. Indemnity benefits are money that you may receive to compensate you for permanent injury, lost time from work, reduction in earnings, and there are many ways to apply for these money or indemnity benefits. George and his team can help you seek maximum compensation and quality medical care as well as keep the insurance company off your back. Contact the Law Offices of George Poulos. The consultation is free and the advice is priceless.

Why are there workers’ compensation laws?

Workers’ compensation laws are a response to a vast history of almost impossible conditions for employees. If a worker was injured, they would have to sue their employer to be compensated for their injuries. Often, the worker was simply replaced and faced years of litigation against a wealthy business owner. Obviously, with the financial backing, the owner would outlast the not-so-fortunate employee. Unfortunately, this led to unchecked dangerous conditions and workers who were afraid to get the help they need because of the impact on their families. Fortunately, things have changed for the better and New York protects the rights of workers through workers’ compensation laws.

Every occupation comes with some degree of danger. Though we often do not think about the hazards posed in our workplace, accidents are commonplace. Whether you work in an office or on a construction site, you can be injured quite easily. These injuries have the potential to impact your life and livelihood. Chances are, you are probably covered under the workers’ compensation laws of New York State. If you are covered under the law, you have rights. It is important to know, first and foremost, that you are entitled to get quality medical care after you are injured on the job and you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages under the right circumstances. The Law Offices of George Poulos has over 25 years of experience helping injured workers through the complexity of workers’ compensation. Insurance companies are “for-profit” institutions that will limit their financial obligation if given the chance. Protect yourself and your future. Contact The Law Offices of George Poulos for a consultation.

The Legal Bargain of Compensation: The law is in your favor, but you can’t sue

Simply put, workers’ compensation provides medical care and cash benefits to individuals who have been injured on the job. It also prevents an employee from taking legal action against an employer. When a worker gets benefits through workers’ compensation, they may not sue their employer for negligence or fault. In a workers’ compensation case, no one is “at-fault”. The benefits are not diminished by the worker’s carelessness. The benefits are also not increased by the negligence of the employer. That said, one’s benefits can be denied if the injury was purposeful or the result of intoxication.

Workers’ compensation benefits can include cash benefits, medical care, supplemental benefits, social security benefits, and, in the case of death, benefits to be paid to the bereaved family left behind. It is a form of insurance that an employer pays for with no contribution from the employees. The goal of workers’ compensation is to help workers while they recover and help them get back to work as soon as possible. If a worker is not able to return to work, they may be entitled to long-term benefits. If they can get back to work at a limited capacity, they may be entitled to 2/3 of the difference between the pay of their old position and the new one. If possible, they may also return to work in a different capacity until properly healed.

Our Queens and Bronx workers’ compensation law offices welcome you for a free consultation regarding your case.

If you are injured on the job and are a covered employee under New York’s workers’ compensation laws, you have a lot to consider about the future. Our firm appreciates the impact work-related injuries have on the employee. We have over 25 years of fighting for the maximum compensation injured employees deserve. If you are an injured employee who needs quality legal representation and guidance, contact our firm for a consultation.