Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Huntington, NY
Fighting for injured workers and their families throughout Huntington and Suffolk County
Getting hurt or sick on the job can change everything in an instant. Whether you suffered a traumatic injury in a Huntington construction zone, developed a long-term illness after years in a local factory, or slipped and fell working retail along Jericho Turnpike, workers’ compensation is meant to help cover your lost wages, medical bills, and long-term needs. But the system doesn’t always make it easy. For many injured workers and their families, the paperwork, deadlines, and insurance company delays can feel like a second job – and a thankless one they never signed up for. Worse, valid claims are often denied or underpaid, leaving people without the support they counted on after a serious workplace injury or illness.
At Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP, we’ve spent over 90 years helping injured New Yorkers secure the benefits they’re entitled to under the law. We understand that every case is different, and every injury comes with its own set of complications. Some workers may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits or compensation from negligent third parties – especially if unsafe equipment, subcontractor mistakes, or property hazards played a role. We make sure no opportunity for compensation is overlooked and fight to maximize what you receive. If you or a loved one is dealing with the aftermath of a work-related injury or illness in Huntington, contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to make the process easier, so you can focus on healing.
FAQs About Workers’ Compensation Claims in Huntington
Understanding the most common causes and contributing factors in workers’ compensation claims is essential when your health, income, and future are on the line – and having accurate information from a trusted legal authority like Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP can make all the difference in what happens next.
- After getting hurt on the job in Huntington, what’s the right way to start a workers’ comp claim?
- Which injuries and illnesses do we most often see from workers in Huntington and surrounding Suffolk County towns?
- How does New York’s workers’ compensation system decide whether someone is eligible for benefits?
- What kinds of benefits can workers and their families expect after a serious injury or illness at work?
- How can surviving family members pursue compensation after a fatal work-related accident or illness?
- What are some signs that a work injury might also involve a negligent third party, not just your employer?
- Is it risky to try handling a workers’ comp claim on your own without legal help?
- Which Huntington industries – like construction, shipping, or healthcare – tend to produce the most serious injuries?
- How can a repetitive injury or long-term health issue still qualify for workers’ comp if there wasn’t one clear accident?
- What can workers do when employers drag their feet or try to downplay how serious an injury really is?
- In what ways do insurance carriers try to minimize or delay workers’ comp payments in New York?
- What role does documentation – like medical records, witness statements, or job history – play in proving your claim?
- When an injury leads to permanent disability, how does Social Security Disability fit into the picture?
- Can a person have both a workers’ comp case and a separate personal injury lawsuit at the same time?
- What difference does it make to have a Huntington workers’ compensation lawyer on your side after an injury or loss?
After getting hurt on the job in Huntington, what’s the right way to start a workers’ comp claim?
Taking the right steps early on can protect your health and your right to compensation. New York’s workers’ compensation system has specific reporting and filing requirements, and missing a step can delay or jeopardize your claim.
- Report the injury immediately: Let your employer or supervisor know what happened as soon as possible – ideally in writing.
- Get medical treatment: Visit an authorized healthcare provider, even if the injury seems minor at first.
- Document everything: Keep records of what happened, who witnessed it, and any communication with your employer.
- File Form C-3: This is your official workers' compensation claim and must be submitted to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board.
- Follow up on all medical and legal deadlines: Missing appointments or paperwork deadlines can hurt your case.
A Huntington workers’ compensation lawyer can help make sure every step is handled properly and professionally.
Which injuries and illnesses do we most often see from workers in Huntington and surrounding Suffolk County towns?
From Melville warehouses to Huntington Hospital to downtown construction sites, local workers face a wide range of risks on the job. Some work injuries happen in a single moment, while others develop over time. Common workplace injuries and illnesses in Huntington, New York include:
- Back and neck injuries: From lifting, falls, or repetitive motion – common in retail, construction, and warehouse jobs.
- Fractures and crush injuries: Often caused by equipment, scaffolding, or vehicle accidents on job sites.
- Exposure-related illnesses: Including respiratory problems and skin conditions linked to chemicals or poor ventilation.
- Hearing loss: Common in manufacturing, public works, and transit roles.
- Mental health conditions: Including PTSD or anxiety following traumatic events at work.
If you’ve experienced any of these conditions and believe it’s job-related, a workers’ comp lawyer can help you prove it and demand the compensation you deserve.
How does New York’s workers’ compensation system decide whether someone is eligible for benefits?
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board uses a specific set of criteria to determine if an injured worker qualifies for benefits. Understanding these regulations can help you avoid common pitfalls. Common workers’ comp rules in New York include:
- The injury must be work-related: It must occur in the course of your employment, even if the injury wasn’t your employer’s fault.
- Timely reporting: You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the incident.
- Medical evidence is required: A doctor must document your condition and connect it to your job duties or work environment.
- Employment status must be valid: Independent contractors and volunteers often do not qualify unless special rules apply.
- Deadlines must be met: Claims should be filed within two years of the injury or illness.
If you're unsure about your eligibility, a Huntington workers’ comp attorney can evaluate your situation and help you move forward with confidence.
What kinds of benefits can workers and their families expect after a serious injury or illness at work?
Workers’ compensation provides more than just coverage for medical bills. The benefits can be life-changing for those dealing with the long-term consequences of a work-related injury or illness.
- Medical treatment costs: Doctor visits, surgeries, prescriptions, and rehabilitation expenses are covered.
- Wage replacement: You may receive a portion of your average weekly wage if you can’t work while recovering.
- Permanent disability benefits: Additional compensation may be awarded if you suffer lasting impairments.
- Death benefits for families: Surviving spouses and dependents may receive compensation and funeral expenses in fatal cases.
- Vocational rehabilitation: Training or job placement services if you’re unable to return to your previous job.
To maximize your benefits and make sure nothing is overlooked, it’s wise to consult a lawyer who understands how the workers’ compensation system works in Suffolk County and New York as a whole.
How can surviving family members pursue compensation after a fatal work-related accident or illness?
When a worker dies due to a job-related injury or occupational illness, surviving family members may be entitled to death benefits under New York workers’ compensation law. This includes weekly cash payments based on a percentage of the worker’s average wage and coverage for funeral expenses. Families in Huntington – including those impacted by falls at construction sites or exposure to toxic materials in older industrial buildings – often don’t realize they have a right to these benefits. A lawyer can help make sure all eligible dependents are included and investigate whether a third-party wrongful death claim is also appropriate in your particular case.
What are some signs that a work injury might also involve a negligent third party, not just your employer?
While workers’ comp is your main source of benefits, some injuries are caused by someone other than your employer – opening the door to a separate personal injury claim. Identifying third-party involvement can significantly increase your total compensation. Common reasons why you might have a strong third-party claim include:
- Faulty equipment or tools: Injuries caused by defective machines or safety gear may involve a manufacturer.
- Unsafe work conditions created by others: Subcontractors or property owners may be to blame for hazards at shared job sites.
- Vehicle accidents while working: If you’re hit by another driver while making deliveries or driving between sites.
- Negligent maintenance or security: If your injury occurred due to conditions on someone else’s property, such as a leased building.
- Injuries caused by vendors or visitors: When someone outside your company creates a dangerous situation.
If any of these situations apply, a workers’ comp lawyer can investigate whether a third-party claim is appropriate alongside your workers’ compensation case. You don’t have to choose between the two types of claims. You can receive workers’ comp and third-party compensation. One type of claim does not cancel the other out.
Is it risky to try handling a workers’ comp claim on your own without legal help?
Yes, particularly when injuries are serious, long-term, or disputed by your employer or the insurance company. Many workers in Huntington receive initial claim denials because of incomplete paperwork, vague medical records, or missed deadlines. Without legal guidance, it’s easy to accept lowball settlements or be pressured into returning to work before you’re ready. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer knows how to protect your rights, avoid traps, and make sure you don’t leave compensation on the table.
Which Huntington industries – like construction, shipping, or healthcare – tend to produce the most serious injuries?
Certain industries in Huntington and nearby towns are more physically demanding and come with greater risks. Workers in these sectors often suffer more severe injuries and longer recovery times, including:
- Construction and skilled trades: Falls, crush injuries, electrical burns, and tool-related accidents.
- Healthcare and home care: Strain injuries from lifting patients, exposure to illness, and mental fatigue.
- Transportation and logistics: Accidents involving delivery trucks, forklifts, and repetitive driving-related injuries.
- Manufacturing and industrial work: Machine-related injuries, exposure to chemicals, and loud environments.
- Retail and food service: Slips and falls, repetitive stress injuries, and strain from stocking or lifting.
These workplaces often involve multiple employers, contractors, or vendors – making it even more important to work with an attorney who can identify all liable parties and demand the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
How can a repetitive injury or long-term health issue still qualify for workers’ comp if there wasn’t one clear accident?
New York workers’ compensation law allows claims for occupational diseases and repetitive stress injuries – even when there’s no single, traumatic incident. For example, a retail worker on New York Avenue who develops carpal tunnel or a delivery driver with chronic back pain from lifting over the years may still qualify. The key is showing that the injury developed as a direct result of job duties. A lawyer can help gather medical opinions, employment records, and job descriptions to prove the connection between your injury or illness and your work.
What can workers do when employers drag their feet or try to downplay how serious an injury really is?
Some Huntington employers delay reporting injuries or try to minimize how severe they are to avoid insurance premium hikes. Workers have the right to seek immediate medical treatment and file Form C-3 directly with the Workers' Compensation Board – even if the employer resists. In cases where the injury happened at a job site off Jericho Turnpike or in a busy commercial setting, employers may try to avoid liability altogether. A lawyer can step in quickly and make sure your claim is documented, filed, and protected from interference.
In what ways do insurance carriers try to minimize or delay workers’ comp payments in New York?
Insurers have a financial incentive to limit payouts, and unfortunately, many will use tactics to reduce or delay your benefits. Knowing these strategies helps you avoid being caught off guard.
- Requesting unnecessary medical exams: IMEs (Independent Medical Exams) often favor the insurer, not the injured worker.
- Delaying payments: Claiming they need more documentation or review time.
- Disputing the cause of injury: Arguing your condition isn’t job-related or was pre-existing.
- Pushing for early return to work: Even when you're not medically ready.
- Offering low settlements: Hoping you’ll accept less just to avoid a long fight.
An experienced Huntington workers’ compensation lawyer can spot these tactics and push back – protecting your claim and your future from unnecessary delays or denials.
What role does documentation – like medical records, witness statements, or job history – play in proving your claim?
Strong documentation is one of the most important parts of a successful workers’ comp claim in New York. Medical records should clearly describe your diagnosis, treatment, and how your job contributed to your current medical condition. Statements from coworkers, supervisors, or eyewitnesses – especially at high-traffic sites like the Walt Whitman Shops or local warehouses – can add critical context. A lawyer knows how to gather, organize, and present this information so it holds up under scrutiny from insurers and the Workers’ Compensation Board.
When an injury leads to permanent disability, how does Social Security Disability fit into the picture?
If your work injury leaves you unable to return to any job, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) in addition to workers’ compensation. For instance, a manufacturing worker near Route 110 who suffers a spinal injury might receive workers’ comp now and SSD for long-term support. These programs are separate, but they can overlap – and applying for SSD can be tricky if not timed properly. An attorney can help coordinate both claims to avoid potential delays, denials, or benefit reductions.
Can a person have both a workers’ comp case and a separate personal injury lawsuit at the same time?
Yes, if someone other than your employer caused your injury, you may be able to file a third-party lawsuit alongside your workers’ comp claim. This is common in construction accidents on shared sites, delivery crashes involving outside drivers, or property hazards on leased commercial premises. Workers’ comp covers your basic benefits, but a personal injury claim allows you to seek full damages (compensation for financial losses) like pain and suffering. A lawyer can help identify third-party liability and make sure both claims are pursued aggressively and effectively.
What difference does it make to have a Huntington workers’ compensation lawyer on your side after an injury or loss?
Many injured workers try to navigate the system alone, only to realize too late that it’s stacked against them. A local, experienced attorney can bring clarity, strategy, and strength to your claim. An attorney:
- Keeps your claim on track: Ensures paperwork, deadlines, and appointments are handled properly.
- Builds strong medical evidence: Works with doctors to document your condition clearly and convincingly.
- Handles denials and appeals: If your claim is denied, a lawyer knows how to respond quickly and effectively.
- Pursues additional compensation: Including third-party lawsuits or SSD when applicable.
- Deals directly with insurers: So you don’t have to fight for what’s already yours.
Having a lawyer who knows Huntington and understands how the New York workers’ comp system works can make a lasting difference in how your case – and your recovery – goes, now and in the future.
Work With a Huntington workers’ compensation attorney who knows how to get results
You work hard – and when an injury or illness takes you off the job, you deserve a legal team that works just as hard to get you back on your feet. In Huntington, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP have spent decades helping New Yorkers fight for the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. We handle the paperwork, push back against insurance delays, and make sure no opportunity for compensation is overlooked.
If you’ve been hurt or made sick because of your job, contact us today for a free consultation. You pay no fee unless we win.