Answers to Common Questions about Workers’ Compensation
When you are a doctor and have a patient come to you claiming to have been injured on the job, it can be extremely helpful to have a basic understanding of the workers’ compensation laws and process. Here are some frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation that have medical implications.
Q: What are the requirements to qualify for workers’ compensation?
A: In the state of New York, there are only two requirements—you must have been working and you must have suffered an injury while on the job. Workers’ compensation is generally considered to be “no-fault,” meaning that the negligence of the worker doesn’t mean a claim will be denied. There are limited circumstances where a claim may be denied—where the injury was suffered while off duty, was self-inflicted, happened while the employee was violating company policy or while the employee was committing an illegal act.
Q: Must the injury occur on company property?
A: No. Any injury sustained while you were performing the duties of your job will be covered, regardless of where it happened. If your job requires that you travel, you can seek benefits for motor vehicle accident injuries or even for a slip and fall at a customer facility. As a general rule, if you leave company property on a personal errand, you are not covered. However, if your boss asks you to do a work-related task (pick up lunch for the office, etc.) while running a personal errand, you may have coverage.
Q: Does workers’ compensation cover only work-related accidents?
A: No. Any injury or illness that arises out of work conditions may be covered. Accordingly, a person who is exposed to toxic substances on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for any negative health consequences that result. In addition, employees who experience mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may recover workers’ compensation benefits if it can be shown that the mental health problems were work-related.
Q: What medical expenses are covered by workers’ compensation?
A: Workers’ compensation pays for any “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses resulting from a work-related injury. This can include examinations, checkups, urgent care treatment, hospitalization, surgical treatment, anesthesia and medications.
Results-Oriented Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Queens, New York
At Pyrros & Serres, we bring more than 50 years of combined workers’ compensation experience to injured workers in Queens and across the greater New York City area. We built our practice on personal service and attention, taking the time to learn the details of your case, so that we can take the necessary measures to get the outcome you want. Many of our new cases come to us as referrals from doctors, lawyers and satisfied clients.
We take all types of work-related injury claims, including cases involving:
Occupational Disease or Illness | Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Fractures | Hip, Leg, Foot and Toe Injury| Burns | Paralysis | Spinal Cord Injury | Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement | Amputation or Loss of Limb | Hearing or Vision Loss | Back and Neck Injury | Shoulder, Arm, Hand and Finger Injury | Accidental or Wrongful Death
To learn more about the services we provide, see our practice area overview page.
Author:Pyrros & Serres LLP
Workers’ Compensation Attorneys—Queens, New York
