Syracuse Workplace Injury Lawyer
Many Syracuse workers are injured in workplace accidents each year. These incidents can result in severe financial hardship, long periods away from work, and extensive pain and suffering.
You may be eligible for financial compensation if you are injured at work in Syracuse. In these situations, the Syracuse personal injury lawyers at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, can represent your claim. Our Syracuse workplace injury lawyers will fight for your right to maximum recovery.
Why Choose Us for Your Workplace Injury Claim
- We have over 50 years of combined legal experience and have represented injured employees in workers’ compensation claims, personal injury lawsuits, class actions, and more.
- Our attorneys are dedicated to securing maximum results for each of our clients. Over our years of operation, we have recovered millions of dollars in successful settlements and jury verdicts.
- We have spent years developing valuable relationships with lawyers and judges across Central New York. We will leverage our resources and knowledge to craft a compelling case in your favor.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in New York
In New York, most employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage. If you are injured in a work-related accident, you could file an insurance claim and recover benefits for medical expenses, a certain amount of lost wages, and long-term disability, if applicable.
You can recover benefits through a workers’ compensation claim if the injury occurred at work and your employer provides this coverage. These benefits are paid regardless of fault or negligence.
Examples of Workplace Injuries
Employees who are injured in the workplace may suffer minor or severe injuries. These injuries can be small inconveniences or lead to permanent and lifelong disabilities. Some of the most common examples of workplace injuries include:
- Broken, fractured, and crushed bones
- Head and skull injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Facial, dental, and eye injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Cuts, punctures, and lacerations
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Severe bruising
What Causes Workplace Injuries?
There are a variety of different causes of workplace injuries. These types of injuries are usually caused by dangerous and unplanned workplace accidents or while working on the clock. Here are a few of the main causes of workplace injuries:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Machine malfunctions and accidents
- Faulty and defective products
- Exposure to harmful chemicals and other substances
- Fires
- Explosions
- Welding accidents
- Electrical or electrocution accidents
- Caught in between or becoming stuck between objects
- Transportation accidents
- Being struck by falling objects or equipment
How to Know If Your Injury Is Work-Related
Determining if your injury is work-related may be complicated. The general rule for these types of injuries must have occurred while you were at the workplace and on the clock. That said, if you were clocked in and working your shift when you became injured, your injuries are work-related or workplace injuries. If you are still unsure whether your injury is classified as a workplace injury, you should seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney at your earliest convenience. They will help you determine if your injury is a workplace injury and what legal options you should pursue.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Workplace Injury?
Several people may be liable or share liability when an injury occurs in the workplace. Your Syracuse personal injury lawyer will investigate the cause of your injuries and determine who should be held accountable for them. A few of the parties who may be at fault include:
- Your employer or company
- Your coworkers
- The manufacturer of the machine, parts, or items you were using/ wearing
- Your supervisor or manager
- A vendor or subcontractor
Talk to an experienced Syracuse workplace injury lawyer from Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, today about your case.
The Time Limit to Notify Your Employer and File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Syracuse, NY
According to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, you have 30 days to provide a written notice about your accident and injuries to your employer. You must file a workers ‘ compensation claim after you have successfully notified your employer and received medical treatment for your injuries. You must do this within two years of the date of your injury. Delaying or putting this off will only result in denying workers’ compensation benefits. Therefore, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney who is experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable in dealing with the complexities of these types of claims as soon as possible.
Can You File a Lawsuit After a Workplace Injury?
If your employer provides workers’ compensation benefits, you cannot file a lawsuit against the company or your coworkers. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule.
You may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer if your case involves any of the following circumstances.
- Your employer does not provide adequate workers’ compensation insurance despite being required by New York law.
- Your employer intentionally caused your injury and acted with the express intent to harm you. Remember that negligence is not valid grounds to file a lawsuit against an employer in New York.
You could also pursue a lawsuit if your injury occurred due to the actions of a negligent third party. For example, if you are injured by defective machinery, you could file a premises liability claim against the manufacturer. If a contractor negligently drops a heavy object and harms you, you could pursue a lawsuit against him or her.
If you have grounds to file a third-party personal injury suit after a work injury in Syracuse, success with this case could provide greater compensation than you could reasonably expect to obtain from a workers’ compensation claim. However, you will need a skilled attorney’s help to maximize your case award or settlement.
The team at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, is ready to help with all aspects of your recovery efforts. We have extensive experience representing clients in all types of injury cases, including workplace injury claims. You have limited time to pursue benefits after your injury, so reach out to our team as quickly as possible to learn how we can help with your recovery.
FAQs
Q: What Are the Most Dangerous Workplaces in Syracuse?
A: There are many dangerous workplaces in Syracuse. Construction is statistically the most dangerous industry when it comes to workplace injury and fatality rates throughout the United States. In 2023, there were 1,029 deaths and more than 260,000 medically consulted injuries reported within the construction industry. Any construction site in Syracuse is statistically dangerous, and all workers need to follow workplace safety regulations at all times.
Q: Do I Have to Prove Fault for My Work Injury to Receive Benefits in New York?
A: No, you do not need to prove fault for your work injury to receive benefits in New York. Workers’ compensation functions on a no-fault basis, so fault does not factor into most of these cases. It is even possible for you to have caused your own injury and still qualify to receive benefits. However, if you caused the injury because you were working under the influence of drugs or alcohol or violated work safety policies, these factors could disqualify you.
Q: How Much Can I Receive in Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
A: The total you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits will depend on the overall severity of your injury, how much medical treatment you need to recover, and how much the injury diminishes your ability to work and earn income in the future. You may qualify to receive temporary disability benefits during the time you are unable to work while you recover, and an experienced attorney can help you maximize your benefits.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Syracuse Workplace Injury Lawyer?
A: You should hire a Syracuse workplace injury lawyer to have the greatest possible chance of success with your case. Even if the situation appears straightforward, you could potentially encounter a host of complex issues that you will not be able to resolve without a skilled attorney’s help. Hiring legal counsel increases your chance of success with your case and your chance of maximizing your total compensation.
Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Syracuse Workplace Injury Lawyer?
A: The cost to hire a Syracuse workplace injury lawyer should not deter you from hiring legal counsel when you need it most. If you choose Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, to represent you, we take workplace injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only charge our client a fee if and when we win their case, and we only charge a percentage of the total compensation recovered for them. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.
Contact a Syracuse Workplace Injury Lawyer Today
If you plan to pursue a workplace injury claim, you need a Syracuse personal injury lawyer to advocate for your best interests. Knowing what to do after an accident can be difficult, but your lawyer can guide you through each stage of the process and help you prepare for each step.
In these situations, trust the lawyers at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you obtain a fair outcome and secure the benefits or settlement you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Syracuse workplace injury lawyer. Our attorneys will evaluate your case and identify your optimal path to maximum compensation.