Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, though invisible to the naked eye, can cause significant pain. Beyond the physical discomfort, these injuries can severely affect a person’s ability to work, which can impact their financial stability. Fortunately, many people who suffer internal injuries due to workplace accidents or conditions can recover workers’ compensation benefits from their employer. If you sustained internal injuries while working, it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney regarding your eligibility to obtain workers' compensation benefits from your employer. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., is an experienced Rockland County workers' compensation attorney who is adept at managing such cases and will diligently pursue any benefits you may be entitled to recover. Ms. Crown routinely represents parties in workers’ compensation claims in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties and in the greater metropolitan area.

Internal injuries are typically brought about by workplace accidents that involve blunt force such as impacts from car accidents, falls on construction sites, or collisions with large objects. These forceful impacts can result in lung injuries like pneumothorax, abdominal aneurysms, ruptured spleens, and organ failure.

Blunt force trauma often leads to internal bleeding, which is dangerous on its own and can also cause strokes and other serious complications. Sometimes individuals, with internal injuries from blunt force trauma, may not exhibit symptoms immediately and might not seek treatment until hours or days after the accident. Internal injuries can also occur when an object unexpectedly pierces part of an employee’s body, causing internal bleeding, torn muscles, ligaments, tendons, and organ damage.

Any New York employee, who suffers internal injuries at work, must first report the injury to a supervisor. New York has strict deadlines for when a workplace injury must be reported, and failure, to report an injury in a timely manner, can result in the waiver of the right to recover benefits. According to New York law, an employee shall verbally notify his/her employer of an injury within 30 days of the accident and in writing within 2 years of the accident. While late notice may still be accepted under certain circumstances, if an employee does not notify an employer of a work-related injury within 2 years, and the employer has no independent knowledge of the injury, the employee typically cannot recover workers’ compensation benefits.

If an employee, suffering from an internal injury, complies with New York's workers’ compensation notice requirements and sufficiently establishes that the injury is work-related, the employee is eligible to receive both medical benefits and disability benefits. Medical benefits include the treatment necessary to address the employee’s injuries provided the treatment is reasonable. The employee may also recover disability benefits if unable to work due to the injuries. Temporary total disability benefits are paid at two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage subject to state minimum and maximum limits. If the employee remains disabled beyond the temporary disability period, he/she is eligible for either permanent partial disability benefits or permanent total disability benefits. The amount and duration of permanent disability benefits depend on the nature and severity of the injury and how it effects the person’s ability to work in general.

Internal injuries can be severe, and, in many instances, they require extensive and expensive treatment. If you sustained internal injuries due to a workplace accident, it is wise to consult with an attorney to determine what benefits you may be owed. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., is a seasoned Rockland County workers’ compensation lawyer who is dedicated to helping injured workers in their pursuit of benefits, and if you hire her, she will vigorously advocate on your behalf to help you seek any benefits you are eligible to recover. Ms. Crown’s office is in New York, and she regularly represents people in workers’ compensation cases in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties and in the greater metropolitan area. You can contact Valerie by using the online form or by calling her at 845-708-5900 (office number) or 845-598-8253 (Valerie’s direct cellphone 24/7).