Medical Expenses

Under New York law, employees who are injured on the job or become ill as a direct result of their job should be provided with medical care and benefits. Unfortunately, not every employer (or employer’s insurance company) complies with the law. When disputes arise, injured workers have a right to be represented by an attorney. A worker may also wish to retain legal counsel even in situations in which a claim is accepted because there are many issues that may develop along the way in which an attorney’s legal knowledge and negotiation skills may be of great benefit. Dedicated Rockland County workers’ compensation lawyer Valerie J. Crown is here to provide advice and representation to residents of Greater New York who have been hurt on the job.

To our team, each injured individual is unique and deserving of personal attention. We make ourselves available to clients 24/7 so that they can discuss their concerns and needs whenever they may arise. You can call Valerie on her cell phone at 845.598.8253 at any hour of day or night. We are proud to combine the individual care of a small firm with the resources of a large firm, which allows us to handle matters of all sizes for individuals and families in need.

Workers’ compensation cases may be distinguished from personal injury lawsuits in several ways. First, a claimant in a workers’ compensation case does not need to prove that their employer was at fault in causing the accident or illness. Instead, the employee needs only to prove that their injury was work-related. Likewise, an employee’s own fault does not serve to eliminate or reduce their recovery of workers’ compensation benefits except in a few very limited situations.

Medical benefits are available for both on-the-job injuries and occupational diseases under New York law. With respect to occupational illnesses, a disease is covered if it arose as a natural incident to a particular occupation. An example of this would be the disease of asbestosis occurring in a worker whose job involves the removal of asbestos. Particular time limits apply to people who are filing a claim based on an occupational disease. Generally, these claims must be filed within a certain time from the onset of the worker’s disability or within a particular period from the time that the worker knew or should have known that the disease was caused by the nature of their employment. It is important to note that, in cases of an occupational disease, a worker may be considered “disabled” without actually losing any time from work.

With regard to medical benefits for occupational diseases and work-related injuries, a worker should receive – at the expense of the employer or its insurance company – coverage for all of the necessary medical care directly related to the injury or illness. Except in emergencies, the worker’s medical treatment should be performed by a health care provider that has been authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board. A worker may also receive reimbursement for automobile mileage incurred to or from their health care provider’s office for medical treatment.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job or is suffering from an occupational disease, you should understand your legal rights with respect to your employer’s obligations to pay your medical expenses as well as provide you with cash benefits for a temporary, and in many cases, a permanent disability caused by your accident or illness. Rockland County workers’ compensation attorney Valerie J. Crown can advise you about your claim and the benefits that may be available to you. Call us at 845.708.5900, call Valerie’s cell phone at 845.598.8253, or contact us online to set up your free case consultation with an injury attorney.