On-the-job injuries can happen in any profession, but some jobs are more dangerous than others. Whether your case involved a construction site accident or an occupational disease, our workers’ comp lawyers at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, handle many different types of workplace injury claims. We understand the risks that many workers in the greater NYC area face every day and we’re proud to represent their interests.
NYC Work Injury Stats
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers reported 129,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in New York in 2020. Of these cases, 90,100 were of a more severe nature, some including life-changing catastrophic injuries.
Construction Jobs are the Most Dangerous
Working at great heights, using heavy machinery and power tools, and other inherent dangers of construction sites make construction work the most hazardous job in New York City. Common construction site accidents include:
- Falling from heights
- Being struck with falling objects such as tools, materials or debris
- Electrocution
- Getting caught in heavy equipment or machinery
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Vehicle accidents
- Defective equipment, machinery, and tools
- Ground collapses
- Repetitive motion injuries
Depending on the circumstances, these types of construction site accidents can result in broken bones, back, neck, and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, burns, occupational diseases, and ear and eye injuries. The severity of injuries can range from minor scrapes to catastrophic injuries such as amputation or paralysis.
Regardless of how an accident or injury occurred, workers are entitled to payment for medical bills and wage loss under New York workers’ compensation law. If you or a loved one has been injured, having a construction site lawyer evaluate your case can ensure you’re aware of all the options available to you. If an injury occurred due to employer negligence or a defective product, you may also be entitled to seek damages in a personal injury claim.
Other Dangerous Jobs in NYC
Although construction is the most dangerous by far, other occupations carry high risks for injury. Installing, repairing, and maintaining the massive network of subways that carry millions of people each day can be a perilous undertaking. Workers are particularly vulnerable to electrocution by the third rail that provides power to run the trains and being hit by the trains themselves. Those who work in shipyards and other industrial settings also are often vulnerable to injury.
Because they’re on the road most of the day, mass transit workers, taxi drivers, delivery drivers, and bike messengers have a higher risk of being hurt in an accident while on the job.
Nurses, doctors, medical assistants, lab technicians, and other hospital staff work on the front lines to treat patients with all types of injuries and ailments. In the age of COVID-19, the risk of becoming ill is higher for these workers. Healthcare workers often must deal with difficult patients who lash out physically and may also suffer from burnout and exhaustion from high levels of stress and long hours. This can put them at a higher risk of accidental workplace injuries.
How a Work Injury Lawyer Can Help
Whether you’re dealing with construction site injuries or a repetitive motion injury like carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s always a good idea to contact an experienced workers’ comp lawyer who can evaluate your case and advise you of your options.
Depending on whether employer negligence or a defective product was involved in causing your injury, they may also recommend working with a personal injury lawyer to file a claim for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Attorneys at our workplace injury law firm help you understand how to maximize the benefits and compensation you may receive and assist you with Social Security disability claims if needed.
Contact a Work Injury Lawyer in New York City
The physical, emotional, and financial fallout of workplace injuries can be overwhelming, but our team at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, is here for you. For more than 30 years, our workers’ comp attorneys have helped injured workers in the Greater New York City area obtain benefits and compensation and get back on their feet. Attorney Rolando Cubela is proud to serve our Spanish-speaking clients. To schedule a case evaluation with a work injury lawyer in NYC, contact us online or call us at 718-273-9000.
