Staten Island Workers Compensation
Filing for workers compensation benefits can be a complicated process, and the effort involved can be a lot for an injured worker to handle. Having a Staten Island work comp attorney help you file may make all the difference in your case.
Workers compensation laws vary from state to state, and many workers don’t understand the process or know which types of benefits they’re entitled to. It’s more than possible you weren’t even aware you could file for benefits, so it’s also possible you’ll need some more information on how to file a claim and where you can find help.
Keep in mind that, although you can file a workers comp claim on your own, a Staten Island workers compensation lawyer will likely get the process moving faster. Your attorney could keep insurance companies from giving you a hard time or keep them from denying your claim altogether.
What Are Some Staten Island Workers Comp Laws?
In Staten Island and throughout New York, the workers comp laws require nearly all employers to purchase workman’s comp insurance. This insurance enables injured workers to obtain benefits in the event that they can’t work because of a workplace injury.
Examples of employers that are required to obtain workers comp insurance are listed below:
- All for-profit companies
- Counties and municipalities that employ workers engaged in “hazardous” jobs
- Public schools, except those that employ teachers in New York City (covered under a different law)
- The state of New York, including some volunteer workers
- Domestic employers who employ a worker greater than forty hours per week
- Farming employers who have paid more than $1,200 to a worker that year
Benefits a Successful Staten Island Workers Compensation Claim Provides
When you file a claim for workers compensation in Staten Island, you are entitled to certain benefits. The two most common are medical costs and missed wages. The insurance company pays the medical expenses deemed reasonable and necessary and sends you a bi-weekly cash payment to make up for your missed wages.
In some cases, you may also qualify for disability payments and household services. In the event that a worker is killed on the job, the family of the worker can qualify to receive death benefits.
Insurance Companies and the Work Comp Claims Process
The concept behind workers compensation is a great one—an insurance program that protects workers when they’re injured on the job, regardless of who caused the injury. Regrettably, insurance companies aren’t government entities; instead, they are private businesses, and what do most businesses care most about?
Part of the problem with Staten Island workers comp claims is that the insurance companies are looking for reasons to deny your claim. If you don’t follow each and every step of the process perfectly, you could risk missing out on benefits you need while recovering from your injury. Getting help from an attorney can help you avoid that.
What Can Cause a Staten Island Workers Comp Denial?
Filing a workers compensation claim on your own can be difficult for a variety of reasons. You don’t know the laws; you may not understand how to complete the paperwork; you probably aren’t fully aware of all the requirements for filing your claim.
Even if you try to educate yourself on the necessary steps, you could still miss something important that could cause your claim to be denied.
The following are some reasons an insurance company might deny your Staten Island work comp claim:
- You didn’t report your injury in the time frame allotted, or you didn’t file the claim paperwork on time.
- You didn’t seek medical treatment right away, or the insurance company is challenging your medical evidence.
- You didn’t complete the claim paperwork correctly, or you failed to provide necessary documents to process your claim.
- The insurance company is challenging whether your injury occurred at work.
Contact a Staten Island Workers Comp Attorney
The law requires your employer’s insurance company to pay you fair workers compensation benefits for an injury that occurs on the job. Unfortunately, most insurers are going to make it very difficult for you to get the compensation owed to you. They will do whatever they can to deny your claim, so you may want an attorney’s help.
A Staten Island workers compensation lawyer at Finkelstein, Meirowitz & Eidlisz, LLP is ready to back you up. We’ll fight to see that you get the compensation you need to provide for your family while you’re recovering from a workplace injury. Get a free case review when you call us at 212-385-9190 or fill out the online contact form below.