Workers' Compensation in New York City
Empowering NYC Workers Toward Justice & Recovery
In the aftermath of a severe electrical accident on a job site, the path forward can seem uncertain and overwhelming. The physical and emotional trauma is immense, and the financial strain from medical bills and lost wages puts a heavy burden on your family.
Your first and most immediate source of support is the system of Workers' Compensation in NYC. This is the essential safety net that provides medical care and wage benefits. However, for a catastrophic event like an electrical injury, the real challenge is understanding the limitations of this system and knowing your rights beyond it.
Don't face this uncertainty alone. Our team is here to explain your rights and explore every option for recovery beyond a standard workers' comp claim
Call us at (718) 550-0610 or fill out our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.
The Devastating Reality of Electrical Injuries
An electrical current passing through the human body is a violent event that causes catastrophic damage. Understanding the full scope of these injuries is the first step in understanding why a standard workers' comp claim is often not enough. Our firm handles cases involving a wide range of electrical injuries, including:
Severe Burns: Electricity can cause horrific burns from the inside out. Thermal burns occur from direct contact, while high-voltage arc flashes create extreme temperatures that cause deep, disfiguring burns.
Neurological Damage: The body's nervous system runs on electrical signals. A powerful shock can short-circuit this system, leading to permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
Cardiac and Internal Damage: A strong electrical current can disrupt the heart's natural rhythm, causing immediate cardiac arrest or long-term damage. The current can also "cook" muscles and internal organs, causing severe damage that may not be immediately apparent.
Psychological Trauma: Surviving such a terrifying event often leads to severe psychological trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Secondary Injuries: The force of an electrical shock can throw a worker from a height, leading to secondary injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries.
Compensation Beyond a Standard Workers' Comp Claim
It’s crucial to understand the two different paths to financial recovery after a workplace accident. Your claim for Workers' Compensation in NYC is a vital starting point, but a separate legal claim is your path to a full and just recovery.
What Workers' Comp Covers: This no-fault system provides essential but limited benefits. It covers your necessary medical treatments and provides wage replacement, typically at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a legal maximum. For many New Yorkers, this cap means you will receive far less than your normal paycheck.
What a Legal Claim Fights For: A separate claim against a negligent party unlocks the ability to recover what workers' comp denies you. This is where we fight for compensation for the human cost of your injury. This includes:
Pain and Suffering: Financial recovery for the physical agony, emotional distress, and trauma you have been forced to endure.
Full Lost Earning Capacity: The difference between the limited workers' comp payments and the full salary and benefits you would have earned over your entire career.
Future Medical Care: Costs for a lifetime of potential needs, including future surgeries, therapy, medication, and in-home care.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for your inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and family life as you once did.
Loss of Consortium: A claim for your spouse for the loss of your companionship and support.
Who Can Be Held Accountable?
Job sites in New York City are complex ecosystems of contractors, subcontractors, and property owners. Our job is to investigate every party to identify all those whose negligence contributed to your injury. Responsible parties often include:
General Contractors: The GC has a primary responsibility to ensure the entire site is safe. When they fail in this duty, we can hold them accountable.
Property Owners: The owner of the land or building where you were hurt has a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises, including its electrical systems.
Subcontractors: Often, the negligence of one subcontractor causes injury to a worker from another company.
Utility Companies: Power companies can be held liable for negligent installation or maintenance of power lines and equipment.
Equipment Manufacturers: If a defective power tool or machine caused your injury, you can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
How We Build a Powerful Case for You
To successfully hold a large company accountable, we must build an undeniable case based on facts. Our legal team and network of top-tier experts move quickly to:
Preserve Critical Evidence: We secure faulty equipment, safety logs, and video footage before it can be altered or destroyed.
Retain Industry Experts: We work with nationally recognized electrical engineers and workplace safety consultants to analyze what went wrong and who is to blame.
Document Everything: We gather construction blueprints, maintenance records, safety manuals, and any OSHA investigation reports.
Interview All Witnesses: We take sworn statements from everyone on the job site to build a clear and compelling narrative of negligence.
We Handle Everything So You Can Heal
Filing a legal claim while managing a claim for Workers' Compensation in NYC can be complicated. The workers' comp insurance company will want to be paid back from any money you receive from your legal case. This is called a lien.
You do not have to worry about this complexity. We are experts at managing both types of cases simultaneously. A crucial part of our job is fighting to reduce the workers' comp lien, a negotiation that can put tens or even hundreds of thousands of additional dollars directly into your pocket. We handle all communications with all insurance companies, protecting you from adjusters while you focus on your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a claim in New York?
For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. It is critical to act quickly to preserve evidence.
What if I think I was partially at fault?
New York is a "comparative negligence" state. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless and until we win your case.
My loved one died from this injury. Can we still file a claim?
Yes. In the tragic event of a fatal accident, the victim's family can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their profound loss.
Find Out What Your Case is Really Worth
Don't settle for the bare minimum. You have been through a traumatic ordeal, and you deserve a law firm that will fight for the full measure of justice you are owed. Let our experienced NYC attorneys investigate your accident and explain all of your options for securing the compensation your family needs to move forward. The consultation is always free, completely confidential, and there is no obligation.
Contact us now or fill out our online form to talk to us today.
