Garden City Work Injury Lawyer

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Legally Reviewed by:

Sameer Chopra
Sameer Chopra, managing partner and personal injury attorney at Chopra & Nocerino, LLP in Garden City, NY

Sameer Chopra is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with 17 years of experience standing up to large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords on behalf of injured individuals. He is a true New Yorker and recognized as one of the Nation’s Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. 

He was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2017-2019 and then became a Super Lawyer from 2020 to present. He was also recognized as the 2021 Attorney of the Year by Top 100 Lawyers and was selected by Top Attorneys in North America as a distinguished Exclusive Presidents Circle Attorney for his continued excellence within the legal community.  Sameer has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including significant verdicts against the City of New York and/or their affiliated agencies, and independent insurance carriers.

Content Last Updated:   April 24, 2024

When you head to work each day in Garden City, you don’t expect to get sidelined by a work-related injury or illness. But people regularly experience job-related car accidents, slip and falls, and other incidents that leave them temporarily or permanently unable to earn a living.

Workers’ compensation is just one option for injured workers. There may be others, depending on your situation. Unfortunately, you can’t always expect your employer or their insurers to give it to you straight. It’s generally in their best interests to deny or minimize the true value of your claim where possible.

Your employer and their insurance companies will have attorneys protecting their rights. So should you. At Chopra & Nocerino, our work injury lawyers have extensive experience defending the rights of injury victims and are ready to fight for you. Contact our Garden City personal injury law firm for a free work injury case evaluation today.

Why Choose Chopra & Nocerino as Your Garden City Work Injury Attorneys?

If you’ve been injured at work, our Garden City workplace injury attorneys at Chopra & Nocerino can help level the playing field in the often frustrating process of securing full and fair compensation. Our top-tier legal team is ready to go to bat for you. When you entrust us with your case, you’ll get the personalized attention and aggressive representation you deserve.

As the exclusive personal injury law firm of the New York Mets, we are true New Yorkers dedicated to fighting for injury victims like yourself throughout the five boroughs of our great city. Our awards and accolades include:

  • Sameer Chopra, Super Lawyer (2022)
  • Alex Nocerino, Super Lawyer (2022)
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star
  • Top Lawyer, Top 100 Registry (2023)
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • Top 10 under 40, National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys

Proven Expertise Shown in Our Case Results and Client Testimonials

With decades of combined experience, our award-winning attorneys have secured numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.

  • $3.5 Million – A male construction worker, age 28, suffered a severe hand injury requiring surgery. He suffered no other physical injuries aside from the hand but as a result, could no longer return to work.
  • $3 Million – A male construction worker, age 42, fell off a ladder and injured his spine in Manhattan, New York. The injury required spinal surgery. The settlement was reached in Brooklyn just before trial.
  • $1.05 Million – Female, age 29, fell down a flight of stairs that were not properly maintained in Brooklyn and suffered neck injuries that required surgery. The settlement was reached on the eve of the trial in Kings County, NY.
  • $850,000 – A 52-year-old female slipped and fell while exiting an elevator. This led to lumbar spine surgery and right knee surgery.

However, nothing speaks louder than the glowing testimonials we receive from our many satisfied clients:

  • “Alex Nocerino is the absolute best! He made the entire process of working with him super easy and seamless and kept me posted along the way. I would highly recommend him for anyone in need of his services” – Grace, Google
  • “I am quite happy with the results. Chopra and Nocerino is the law firm to go to with your accident claims.” – William, Google
  • “They got the job done as soon as possible. Greatful for them.” – Brandon, Google

What Types of Work Injuries Are Prevalent in Garden City?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were roughly 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in the private sector in 2022 alone. Of the nearly 139,000 cases reported in New York, over 91,000 injuries were severe enough to involve days away from work, job transfers, or other restrictions. Another 53,900 cases were reported by workers employed by New York state and local governments.

While some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others, accidents and injuries can happen in any workplace. Though not an exhaustive list, some common workplace injuries our firm sees in Garden City include:

  • Overexertion and trauma
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Exposure to harmful substances
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Joint injuries
  • Back and spine injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Burns
  • Vision loss

What To Do After a Work-Related Injury

If you’ve suffered a work-related injury, it’s important to take proactive steps to ensure your health and safety and to protect your legal rights. Here are the key steps you should take:

  • Report the Injury to Your Employer – Notify your supervisor or human resources department about the injury as soon as possible. Most companies have a procedure in place for reporting work-related injuries. Follow these procedures closely.
  • Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Your health is the top priority. Even if the injury seems minor, it’s important to get it checked out, as some injuries may not show symptoms immediately.
  • Attend All Follow-Up Appointments – Do not miss medical appointments and follow-up treatments to ensure proper healing and documentation of your recovery progress.
  • Document the Injury and Treatment – Keep detailed records of the injury and the medical treatment you receive. This includes dates of medical appointments, diagnoses, treatments received, and any other relevant medical information.
  • File a Workers’ Compensation Claim – Contact Chopra & Nocerino for help filing a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party injury lawsuit. These claims can provide benefits like covering medical expenses and providing disability payments while you cannot work.

What Compensation Is Available to Injured Workers in Garden City?

If you were injured while performing your job duties, you should pursue work injury compensation from all available sources. Unfortunately, these resources won’t come to you. You have to know where to go to get them, which can be challenging for many workers. Our Garden City workplace injury attorneys can help you explore the following options:

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Most employers in New York have workers’ compensation insurance. This provides coverage for employees when they suffer a work-related injury regardless of fault. However, workers’ compensation offers somewhat limited benefits. It pays your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. If you sustained a long-term or permanent disability, you may also receive compensation.

Third-Party Lawsuits

If you can show that a party other than your employer caused your injury, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim to pursue additional compensation. Some examples of potential defendants include negligent property owners, third-party contractors at the work site, and the manufacturer of a dangerous product.

Additional Benefits

In addition to the above options, you may also be able to collect other benefits after a work-related accident. Examples include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), unemployment insurance, and Medicare. Chopra & Nocerino can help you explore all options to maximize your compensation.

Process of a Work Injury Lawsuit in Garden City

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in New York. This means you normally can’t sue your employer for injuries sustained at work, though there are exceptions if certain requirements are met. You must notify your employer within 30 days of your injury to be eligible for workers’ compensation.

The workers’ compensation is designed to provide injured workers with a source of compensation while shielding employers from liability that may harm their business. However, it is not impossible to sue after a workplace accident. Consider the following scenarios:

  • Lack of Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Employers are normally required to have workers’ compensation insurance. If they do not, you might be able to file a lawsuit.
  • Third-Party Lawsuits – If your injury was caused by a third party (someone other than your employer or coworker), such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another driver in a work-related car accident, you may have a legal right to sue that third party.
  • Retaliation or Discrimination – If you face retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim, such as being fired or demoted, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
  • Independent Contractors – If you’re an independent contractor, you’re generally not covered by workers’ compensation and might have the option to sue for a workplace injury.

Remember, the ability to sue and the potential success of such a lawsuit depend on many factors, including the nature of the injury, the circumstances under which it occurred, and the specific legal relationship between you and your employer. Our workplace injury attorneys are here to make sure you know your full legal rights and options.

Seeking Compensation for Damages After a Work Injury

If you are eligible to file a lawsuit after a workplace injury, you may be able to recover more compensation than you could through a workers’ compensation claim. Damages you may be able to pursue compensation include:

  • Medical expenses and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Lowered earning capacity
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability and disfigurement
  • Lowered quality of life
  • Psychological harm

In some cases, you may even be entitled to punitive damages, which are awarded by courts to punish defendants for particularly reckless or otherwise reprehensible conduct. Our workplace accident attorneys will leave no stone unturned as they investigate all possible sources of compensation in your case.

Garden City Work Injury-Related FAQs

1. How much compensation can I recover after a work injury?

A workers’ compensation claim can cover up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, pay for your health care needs, and cover health-related travel expenses. You may be able to recover additional compensation through a lawsuit.

2. Can I get fired for taking legal action after a work injury?

No. Employers cannot retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim or taking legal action after a work-related injury. If they do, reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney immediately.

3. How long after my work injury will I receive compensation?

You receive payments for benefits every two weeks during your disability period. Lost wage benefits are not paid for the first seven days unless your time off work extends beyond 14 days. After 14 days, you can receive lost wage benefits from the first day you were off of work.

4. What should I do if my injury is due to a work-related illness?

Seek immediate medical treatment so you can obtain a proper diagnosis and proof that your condition is work-related. Then, you should consult with a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer.

5. Is there a time limit for filing a workplace injury claim?

In New York, you must report a workplace injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. Do so in writing and keep a copy of the report. When filing a personal injury lawsuit, you normally have up to three years to do so. Failure to comply with these deadlines will compromise your right to compensation.

When You’re Hurt at Work in Garden City, We Step Up to the Plate

Employers must provide their workers with a safe working environment. Most businesses in the state of New York are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, workers’ compensation might not be sufficient to cover your full damages. A seasoned workplace injury attorney at Chopra & Nocerino can help you identify all liable parties and secure the maximum compensation available to you.

Our no-nonsense attorneys are ready to fight for your rights. Contact our skilled Garden City work injury lawyers by calling us or filling out our online contact form.

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