New York City Workplace Accident Attorneys

Common Types of Occupational Accidents

How do accidents happen in the workplace? The types of occupational accidents that occur most often in New York City include the following:

• Being hit by mobile equipment, such as a forklift
• Crushing incidents
• Contact with objects, such as falling tools
• Exposure to electricity
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Fires and explosions
• Lifting accidents
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Transportation incidents
• Violence and other injuries caused by people or animals

Even from a short distance, falls can cause serious injuries. Slips and trips can happen in just about any work environment, including an office environment. For example, you could slip or fall because of a wet surface from cleaning or a spilled drink.

Construction and manufacturing environments are some of the most dangerous environments. They can cause falls and injuries from several factors, such as the following:

• Being hit by an object
• Falls from ladders
• Fall protection equipment not used or not maintained
• No guardrails in place

What to Do After an Accident at Work in NYC

If you had an accident in the workplace, you may wonder what to do next. To preserve your legal options, including for bringing a third-party injury claim and to obtain workers’ compensation benefits, you should:

• Report the accident to your employer —Employees must report workplace accidents to their employers within thirty days. If not, they might miss out on their opportunity to seek workers’ compensation benefits. New York law requires that the employer then “promptly provide” them with medical treatment.
• Seek medical treatment —It is important that you tell the doctor the full extent of your injuries and that you were injured while you were working. Workers often take a sense of pride in their toughness and commitment. But holding back may hurt you in the long run, both physically and from a compensation standpoint.
• Contact a New York City workplace accident attorney — A New York City accident lawyer can review your case and help you determine who should be held responsible for your injuries. They can build your claim and gather the evidence needed to prove your injuries are work-related.
• File a claim or lawsuit — A workplace accident lawyer can also help you file a C-3 Employment Claim. Most New York employers have workers’ compensation insurance. That makes your employer responsible for your care following a workplace injury in most cases, even if a third party is at fault. However, you may also be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the third party. You usually have two years from the date you were injured to file for workers’ compensation and three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.