Hempstead Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fighting for Maximum Benefits
Experienced legal help for injured workers in Hempstead and Across Nassau County
Getting hurt or sick on the job can upend everything – your health, your income, your stability. In Hempstead, where workers keep Long Island running in industries like construction, healthcare, transit, sanitation, and retail, job-related injuries and illnesses are unfortunately all too common. From falls on active construction sites off Peninsula Boulevard to lifting injuries in medical facilities near South Franklin Street, these incidents can happen in an instant – and change your life for months or years. New York’s workers’ compensation system is supposed to help, but it’s full of red tape, strict deadlines, and insurance carriers that know how to delay or underpay claims. Without the right legal help, it’s easy to settle for far less than you need to stay afloat.
That’s where Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP comes in. For decades, we’ve fought for injured workers across Hempstead and Nassau County – people who were doing their jobs when everything changed. We help clients recover full workers’ compensation benefits, challenge denied claims, and pursue third-party lawsuits when negligence or unsafe conditions are involved. If your injury or illness means you can’t return to work, we also assist with Social Security Disability claims. Whether you were hurt at the nearby bus depot, on a hospital floor, or while making deliveries across town, you deserve experienced legal support that makes the process easier and fights for every dollar you’re entitled to in New York. Contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQs About Hempstead Workers’ Compensation
When you’ve been injured on the job in Hempstead, having the right information – clear, accurate, and from a trusted source like Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP – can make all the difference in securing the benefits you’ve earned and avoiding costly missteps and delays. That’s why we created this section that addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation in Hempstead, New York. And if you don’t see your specific question here, simply contact us to learn more about your legal rights.
- I was injured at work in Hempstead – what should I do first to make sure I’m protected?
- What types of injuries are considered serious enough for a workers’ compensation claim in Hempstead?
- How soon do I need to report my injury to my employer, and what’s the best way to do it?
- Where should I go for medical treatment after a work injury in Hempstead, and who covers the cost?
- Does workers’ compensation cover injuries that develop gradually, like joint damage or chronic pain?
- How do unsafe job conditions or a lack of proper training factor into work injury claims?
- What if my injury happened in a common area – like a hallway, parking lot, or shared loading zone?
- I’m out of work because of my injury – when can I expect to start receiving wage benefits?
- What kinds of benefits does New York workers’ compensation provide to injured Hempstead workers?
- What if my employer refuses to document the injury or says I’m not eligible for workers’ comp?
- Why would an insurance company delay, deny, or underpay a valid workers’ compensation claim?
- Are certain job sites or industries in Hempstead more prone to serious workplace accidents?
- If I can’t return to my old job, can I get permanent or long-term workers’ comp benefits?
- What rights do families have if someone dies from a job-related injury or illness in Hempstead?
- Can I qualify for both Social Security Disability and workers’ comp at the same time?
- If workers’ comp is “no fault,” why would I still need a lawyer for my Hempstead claim?
- How do I set up a free consultation with a Hempstead workers’ compensation attorney, and what will we go over?
I was injured at work in Hempstead – what should I do first to make sure I’m protected?
Taking the right steps immediately after a work-related injury can help protect both your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do as soon as possible:
- Report the injury in writing: Notify your employer or supervisor right away and document the incident.
- Seek medical attention promptly: Use a provider authorized by the NY Workers’ Compensation Board if possible.
- Keep a detailed record: Document what happened, who witnessed it, and how the injury affects your daily life.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers: Without legal advice, even casual remarks could be used to limit your claim.
- Follow medical instructions: Attend every appointment and keep track of all paperwork.
These steps can help strengthen your claim from the start – and a workers’ comp lawyer can help ensure you don’t overlook anything that might later hurt your case.
What types of injuries are considered serious enough for a workers’ compensation claim in Hempstead?
Many workers assume their injury isn’t “bad enough” to qualify – but the law covers more than just catastrophic accidents. These are common qualifying injuries in Hempstead:
- Back and joint injuries: From lifting, bending, or standing for long periods – this is very common in warehouse, custodial, and healthcare roles.
- Falls and fractures: From wet floors, broken stairs, or uneven surfaces on busy work sites or inside facilities.
- Burns or lacerations: From equipment, chemicals, or kitchens.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Like carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or chronic strain.
- Work-related illnesses: Exposure to mold, poor ventilation, or chemical fumes.
- Trauma injuries: From being struck by objects, caught in machinery, or injured in vehicle crashes on the job.
If your injury required treatment or forced you to miss work, it’s likely serious enough to warrant a claim.
How soon do I need to report my injury to my employer, and what’s the best way to do it?
Under New York law, you must report your work-related injury or illness to your employer within 30 days – but it’s best to do it immediately and in writing. In Hempstead, whether you were hurt at a commercial site on Peninsula Boulevard or in a kitchen off Front Street, written notice creates a clear record. Include the time, location, how the injury happened, and what body part was affected. Delays or verbal-only reports often give insurers a reason to deny your claim. Your workers’ comp lawyer can help document your injury the right way from day one.
Where should I go for medical treatment after a work injury in Hempstead, and who covers the cost?
In most cases, you can see any healthcare provider authorized by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, including facilities in and around Hempstead like NYU Langone or nearby urgent care clinics. Your employer’s workers’ comp insurance should cover all related medical costs – including ER visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions. Keep copies of every bill and medical note, and make sure the provider knows your injury was work-related. A lawyer can help coordinate care and fight back if the insurer tries to deny or delay coverage.
Does workers’ compensation cover injuries that develop gradually, like joint damage or chronic pain?
Yes – New York workers’ compensation covers occupational injuries that develop over time, such as carpal tunnel, chronic back strain, and tendonitis. These are common in long-term positions involving repetitive movement, heavy lifting, or standing for hours, like jobs along Hempstead Turnpike or in warehouse hubs near West Hempstead. You’ll need medical documentation linking your condition to your job duties. A workers’ comp attorney can help you gather the right evidence and file a strong claim before time runs out.
How do unsafe job conditions or a lack of proper training factor into work injury claims?
Even though New York’s workers’ comp system is “no fault,” hazardous working conditions or lack of proper training can reveal deeper issues that strengthen your claim – or create opportunities for possible third-party lawsuits. These factors matter:
- Missing or malfunctioning safety equipment: Like harnesses, gloves, or machine guards.
- Untrained or understaffed work environments: Can lead to mistakes, delays, and preventable accidents.
- No warning signs or labels: On wet floors, electrical hazards, or dangerous materials.
- Failure to provide breaks or rotation: Leading to exhaustion-related injuries.
- Non-compliance with OSHA or NY safety laws: Common in construction zones or public facilities.
A lawyer can help uncover whether your employer or another party failed to follow proper safety protocols – and what that means for your compensation.
What if my injury happened in a common area – like a hallway, parking lot, or shared loading zone?
Injuries that occur in common areas at work can still qualify for workers’ compensation, but they may also raise issues of property liability or third-party responsibility beyond your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. Key points to consider include:
- Who maintains the area: If the parking lot is owned by someone other than your employer, they may share liability, meaning legal responsibility for compensating you.
- Whether you were working at the time: Injuries during breaks or while arriving/leaving work can still be covered in some cases.
- Visibility and safety hazards: Slippery sidewalks, unlit corridors, and cracked pavement are all relevant.
- Shared workspaces: Multiple contractors or vendors may create overlapping risks.
- Lack of incident reporting or cameras: May make evidence harder to secure.
These injury claims can be complex – especially when more than one party may be responsible and at fault for causing your injury. A lawyer can help sort out who’s liable and make sure all avenues for compensation are pursued.
I’m out of work because of my injury – when can I expect to start receiving wage benefits?
If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you may qualify for wage replacement under New York’s workers’ comp system. Payments typically begin after the second week of missed work and are calculated based on your average weekly wage and degree of disability. However, insurance companies often delay payments or challenge your disability rating. A lawyer can push your claim forward, make sure you’re classified correctly, and seek full wage benefits on your behalf.
What kinds of benefits does New York workers’ compensation provide to injured Hempstead workers?
New York’s workers’ comp system offers several benefits to help injured employees recover physically and financially. These benefits often include:
- Medical care: All necessary treatments, including surgery, physical therapy, and medication.
- Lost wages: Partial wage replacement if you’re unable to work due to the injury.
- Permanent disability: If your injury causes lasting limitations.
- Vocational rehabilitation: Training or job placement services if you can’t return to your old job.
- Death benefits: For surviving family members of someone fatally injured on the job.
To receive full benefits, your claim must be filed accurately and backed by strong documentation – something an attorney can help manage.
What if my employer refuses to document the injury or says I’m not eligible for workers’ comp?
Unfortunately, some employers in Hempstead may deny responsibility to avoid higher insurance premiums – especially if your injury wasn’t witnessed or involves cumulative trauma. But legally, they’re required to report it to their insurer once you’ve notified them. You can still file a C-3 claim form directly with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board and request a hearing. A lawyer can help if your employer is being uncooperative or if you’re facing retaliation for reporting the injury.
Why would an insurance company delay, deny, or underpay a valid workers’ compensation claim?
Unfortunately, insurers are businesses first – and they may use various strategies to avoid paying full benefits. Common reasons include:
- Disputing whether the injury was work-related: Common if it wasn’t witnessed.
- Claiming the injury was preexisting: Or unrelated to your current job.
- Missing paperwork or deadlines: Even a small delay can lead to denial.
- Requesting independent medical exams: From doctors who downplay your injury.
- Offering a lowball settlement: Hoping you’ll accept less than you deserve.
These tactics can be hard to push back against alone. A workers’ compensation attorney knows how to respond effectively and can fight to keep your claim on track.
Are certain job sites or industries in Hempstead more prone to serious workplace accidents?
Yes – some jobs involve higher risk simply due to the nature of the work, and in Hempstead, this includes:
- Construction and demolition sites: With scaffolding, power tools, and heavy machinery.
- Warehouses and distribution centers: Along Peninsula Blvd or near local freight routes.
- Healthcare facilities: Where lifting patients or rushing between rooms can cause strain injuries.
- Public works and sanitation: Involve traffic hazards and exposure to dangerous materials.
- Retail and food service jobs: Where slips, burns, and cuts often go underreported.
No matter where you work in Hempstead or Nassau County, you’re entitled to a safe environment. A lawyer can help determine whether your employer or another party failed to provide a safe work space and if such unsafe working conditions caused your injury.
If I can’t return to my old job, can I get permanent or long-term workers’ comp benefits?
Yes. If your injury leaves you with a lasting disability that prevents you from doing your previous job – such as a shoulder injury that limits lifting or a spinal injury from a fall – you may qualify for long-term benefits. New York offers scheduled loss of use awards and ongoing benefits for permanent partial or total disabilities. Whether you worked transit routes through Fulton Avenue or maintained municipal properties in Uniondale, a lawyer can help you prove the long-term impact and fight for full compensation.
What rights do families have if someone dies from a job-related injury or illness in Hempstead?
Surviving spouses, children, or dependents may be eligible for death benefits under New York’s workers’ compensation system, including weekly cash payments and funeral expenses. These claims often arise after fatal construction accidents, exposure to toxic materials, or severe trauma on job sites near Long Beach Road or at industrial locations in the area. Time limits apply, and insurers may dispute the cause of death or who qualifies as a dependent. A lawyer can guide your family through this difficult process and make sure no benefits are left unclaimed.
Can I qualify for both Social Security Disability and workers’ comp at the same time?
Yes – if your work injury or illness is severe enough to keep you from working long term, you may be eligible for both types of benefits. Workers’ comp is based on your job-related injury, while SSD is a federal program for any disability expected to last at least 12 months. However, receiving both may affect your payment amounts, and the paperwork is complex. A lawyer can coordinate both claims, avoid offsets, and make sure you’re not missing out on benefits from either system.
If workers’ comp is “no fault,” why would I still need a lawyer for my Hempstead claim?
New York’s “no fault” workers’ compensation system means you don’t need to prove negligence – but that doesn’t make getting benefits easy. A lawyer can still be critical by:
- Helping you file correctly and on time: Missed steps lead to delays or denials.
- Ensuring you get the full range of benefits: Including permanent impairment awards or vocational rehab.
- Handling insurance disputes: If your claim is challenged or benefits are cut off.
- Investigating third-party liability: When another party may be at fault for your injury.
- Appealing a denied claim: With the evidence and strategy needed to win.
Even when fault isn’t the issue, the process is complicated – and having a lawyer makes it easier, fairer, and more likely to succeed.
How do I set up a free consultation with a Hempstead workers’ compensation attorney, and what will we go over?
Scheduling a free consultation is simple – you can call, fill out a form online, or visit one of our offices serving Nassau County. During your free case review, we’ll go over how your injury happened, what treatment you’ve received, whether your employer or the insurance company has responded appropriately, and what benefits you may be entitled to for your work-related injury or illness. We’ll also review any paperwork you’ve already submitted or received. You pay no fee unless we win your case – and the consultation is your first step toward recovering control of your future.
Don’t wait – get the legal help you deserve in Hempstead
If you were hurt on the job or became ill due to your working conditions, don’t let the system leave you behind. A knowledgeable Hempstead workers’ compensation attorney from Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP can fight to get you the benefits and support you’re entitled to – so you can focus on healing, not bureaucracy.
We’ve been representing hard-working New Yorkers for over 90 years. With billions recovered for over 100,000 clients, our firm is known for delivering results. There are no upfront costs to hire us, and you pay no fee unless we win your case.
Your health, your income, your future – they’re all worth protecting. Contact us now for a free consultation and put one of New York’s most trusted legal teams to work for you in Hempstead or wherever you live or work in Nassau County.