According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries by the BLS, there were a total of 4,836 fatal work injuries reported in the US in the year 2015 – a small increase from 2014 which had a total of 4,821 reported fatal injuries. This number is the highest since 5,214 fatal injuries that were reported in 2008. In the year of 2015, the overall rate of fatal work injury was reported to be 3.38 per 100,000 FTE (full-time equivalent) workers.
FAQS about Workplace Accidents
There are a few common questions that workers in New York, as well as other places, ask after getting injured in a workplace accident, including:
Q1: How soon should I report an accident to my employer?
A: You should report your accident to your employer as soon as possible. Keep in mind that it should be no later than 30 days, or your claim may be denied.
Q2: When should my company or employer contact and send a report about the accident to their insurance company?
A: The accident should be reported by your employer to their insurance company as soon as they can. Remember, that the accident needs to be reported within 7 days, soon after they hear about the accident. After receiving your employer’s notice, the insurance company should send you a detailed brochure outlining their terms within 3 days. This booklet will provide you with information about your rights and responsibilities as well as workers’ compensation law in New York.
Q3: What should I do if my employer does not report my injury to the insurance company?
A: If your employer does not report your injury to their insurer for whatever reason, you have the right to do it yourself. However, if you need help, you should get in touch with the EAO, or Employee Assistance Office, in your area.
Q4: What kind of medical treatment should I get and do I have to pay for it?
A: After authorization from either your employee or their insurer, the medical provider will give you the medical care, prescriptions and treatment you need depending on your injury. As for payment, you will not need to pay for the medical care. Your medical provider should submit all authorized medical bills to your employer’s insurance company in order to receive payment.
Q5: Do I have to pay income tax on the money I receive from compensation?
A: The answer is no. However, if you return to work on limited or light duty and still receive authorized medical treatment, there will be taxes that you need to pay on any wages that you earn while you are working.
Q6: Can I receive both workers’ compensation benefits and social security benefits at the same time?
A: Yes, you may be eligible to receive both workers’ compensation and social security benefits. However, a reduction, or an offset, in your check for workers’ compensation may be applied because according to the law, a combination of the two may not exceed 80% of your average weekly wage that you earned before getting injured.
Get Legal Help in New York for Workplace Injury
If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, you should immediately seek the counsel of the reliable personal injury attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. RMFW Law knows how to win cases. You think the Yankees win a lot? They win because they outspend the opposition, we win because of our acumen and tenacity. RMFW Law is a winning law firm. We know which legal windows to open and when to open them. We have won millions of dollars for past clients. You too can be on this salient list. We charge you nothing up front. We are paid only if you are paid. Call us today!
