What to do if you were injured on a construction site in NY City?

If you were injured at a construction site in New York City, you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your medical expenses and other losses related to your injuries. In fact, as a construction worker, there may be several people responsible for your injuries.

Follow the steps below to protect your rights and preserve your chances of getting the maximum monetary compensation possible:

What steps should you take after a construction site accident?

Step 1: Get medical care for your injuries

First and foremost, you should seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. There is no substitute for immediate and professional medical attention. Also, if you wait too long to get treatment, you may decrease your chances of getting a fair compensation.

To benefit from workers’ compensation insurance, you must go to a doctor who has been approved by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. You can ask the doctor’s office or hospital if they “accept workers‘ compensation insurance” to find out if the doctor is approved. You can also contact Gorayeb & Associates, and a member of our team will refer you to a doctor approved by the Board.

Step 2: Follow your doctor’s advice

It’s just as important to go to a doctor as it is to follow his advice. While you may be tempted to return to work before you fully recover from your injuries, this can jeopardize both your health and your claim for compensation. If your doctor tells you to wear a brace, you should wear it. If the doctor tells you to rest, you should rest.

Step 3: Inform your employer about the accident

In New York, you have 30 days to report a workplace accident to your employer. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to collect workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer must have a standard form for the report available. We can help you fill out the form and make sure it is submitted on time.

Step 4: Take pictures and make notes

After an accident at a construction site, try to take as many pictures as possible. Take pictures of the construction site, your injuries and any clothing or other personal items that have been damaged. It may also be helpful to write down everything you remember about the accident, to prevent other people’s versions of what happened from influencing your memories.

Step 5: Don’t let your employer take advantage of you

Some employers will try to take advantage of their employees. The unfortunate thing is that this is often true particularly when it comes to Hispanic or Latino workers whose native language is not English. Don’t let your employer tell you which doctor to go to. Also, avoid giving any written or recorded statements that could be used against you.

Step 6: Hire an experienced attorney to represent you

Finally, to ensure that you protect your rights, the best and easiest thing you can do is to hire an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will be able to help you take the necessary steps to get fair compensation. This includes not only filing a New York workers’ compensation claim, but perhaps filing personal injury claims against contractors and third parties. At Gorayeb & Associates, we have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for injured construction workers in New York City.

* Specific details about the results of cases and settlements are not indicators of the results of future cases and settlements, nor should they be considered as guarantees or predictions about the results of our firm’s representation.