HURT AT WORK IN ALBANY, NY?

Albany Workplace Accidents

No matter the occupation, there’s always the risk of getting injured on the job. Sometimes a workplace accident is unavoidable. But the reality is that many accidents are preventable, and New York employers are responsible for creating safe environments for their workers.  

When a workplace accident happens, it’s the employee and family members who must live with the consequences — and that can mean a future of long-lasting hardships, both financial and otherwise.

The Albany attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping injured workers obtain maximum compensation for losses caused by on-the-job accidents. We want to hear your story and discuss your legal rights so that you can get the resources you need to pay for medical care, lost income, future expenses and more.

Our experienced attorneys have represented injured people throughout New York for more than two decades. During that time, we have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for our clients, providing them with the financial security they need to move on with their lives.

Contact us today to arrange a free consultation.  

Common Workplace Accidents

A workplace accident can occur anywhere. Some injuries happen in an instant, such as a fall on a slippery surface or a power tool injury. Other workplace injuries are caused over the course of a career due to long-term and repetitive tasks.

The most common workplace accidents include:

• Motor vehicle crashes: Many Americans work at jobs where they must drive on a regular basis, whether in the course of picking up or delivering goods, performing services at offsite locations or traveling from one work location to another. Auto accidents can cause catastrophic trauma such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and internal bleeding.
• Slip and fall accidents: Construction sites, factories, assembly facilities, healthcare facilities and warehouses are locations where employees must navigate varying degrees of challenging floor surfaces. Slipping and tripping can cause serious injuries.
• Falls: These injuries are especially common on construction sites, where workers may be operating at high heights. Falls from cranes, platforms, scaffolds, unsecured areas and ladders can cause life-changing injuries to workers.
• Crush injuries: Getting caught between moving objects can cause crush injuries. Forklift accidents or getting pinned by a vehicle that is backing up are just two examples of ways that workers can get crushed. Crush injuries may result in disfigurement, amputation and/or a permanent disability. Many crush accidents are fatal.
• Lifting accidents: Back and musculoskeletal strains are among the most common workplace injuries. Lifting heavy objects can cause an immediate injury or bodily damage that occurs over time.
  
• Repetitive traumas:  Carpal tunnel syndrome and other muscle and connective tissue injuries can be linked to performing the same task over and over throughout one’s career. These also count as workplace injuries.
• Exposure to environmental hazards: Workers may also be entitled to compensation for any illnesses caused by toxic exposure on the job. The attorneys at Belluck and Fox have a long history of helping workers who have been exposed to asbestos and now suffer from diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis —all conditions that do not show up until decades after exposure.  

Types of Injuries

It’s often possible to reach a full recovery after a workplace accident. But sometimes the trauma is too severe, forcing workers to quit their job entirely or work at a reduced capacity.

Some of the most common types of New York work injuries include:

• Back injuries
  
• Spinal cord injuries
  
• Head trauma
  
• Muscle strains and sprains
  
• Whiplash
  
• Broken bones
  
• Herniated discs
  
• Amputations
  
• Burns and electrocutions
  
• Lacerations
  
• Death

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured at Work

It’s very important to respond appropriately after a workplace injury. Failure to follow these critical steps below could result in losing your rights to compensation.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Don’t try to tough out or conceal your workplace injury. There are several reasons why this is not a good idea. First, you may not understand the full extent of your injury and make your condition worse.

Second, if your employer is not providing a safe work environment, then you are putting yourself and others at risk if you continue to work while injured.

Finally, obtaining compensation can hinge upon getting prompt and appropriate medical care and documenting your injuries.

Provide Written Notice to Your Employer Within 30 Days

This is extremely important. Even though the statute of limitations for a workers’ compensation claim in New York is typically two years from the date of your injury, the date can actually  fluctuate, depending on many factors. But long before that two years expires, there is a more important deadline — the amount of time you have to give notice to your employer.

In New York, you have 30 days to let your employer know in writing that you were hurt. Here’s what the notice of injury must include:

• Your name
  
• Your address
  
• A clear description of the injury
  
• Date of injury
  
• Time of the injury
  
• Place where injury occurred
  
• Must be signed by the injured worker (or a representative or family member, if unable to sign)
  
• Must be given to the employer personally, by registered mail sent to the regular place of business

Make sure to send the notice via certified mail with return receipt or get someone to sign for it. The key is getting proof that you delivered the notice. Do not go into too much detail. Just state the facts clearly and without any unrelated information.

Contact a Workplace Accident Attorney

If possible, try to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney within a couple days of your injury and prior to providing notice to your employer. An attorney can assist you in completing the notification form to ensure that you provide the necessary information without accidentally jeopardizing your claim.

Our Albany Workplace Injury Lawyers Fight for Full and Fair Compensation

Belluck & Fox is a top-rated workplace accident law firm with a long history of helping Albany workers obtain the compensation they deserve. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the complexities of New York workers’ comp and labor laws and how they apply to your case.

When you work with Belluck & Fox, you’ll never feel alone. Our lawyers will assist you and your family with every aspect of your claim.

To learn more, schedule a free initial consultation now. There is no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.