The most common workplace hazards in New York City are slips, trips, and falls, such as from ladders or scaffolds, and exposure to hazardous substances or toxic environments, such as with chemical or dust exposure.
Struck‑by events from tools or loads, overexertion and repetitive strain, electrical shocks, and vehicle incidents at job sites are also common. Injured workers in New York City can file Workers’ Compensation claims and pursue benefits that can cover medical bills and other losses.
A New York City Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help file a claim or appeal a denial of benefits.
Common Hazards by Job in New York City
In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the leading fatal events in New York City were between falls, slips, and trips and exposure to harmful substances or environments, each resulting in a total of 19 fatalities.
Transportation incidents followed with 13 fatal injuries. Common hazards in the workplace show up differently across industries and roles, but the same core hazards keep appearing on city job sites.
Construction and Extraction
Construction sites see frequent height work, heavy loads, and live power, which raise the risk of sudden, severe injuries due to:
- Falls from scaffolds, ladders, or roofs
- Struck by tools, loads, or moving equipment
- Contact with electricity and temporary power
- Trench, shoring, or structure failures
Construction and extraction occupations accounted for some of the highest fatal injury totals citywide, with falls representing one of the leading causes of death on New York City job sites.
Transportation and Delivery
Traffic, tight schedules, and loading zones create hazards for commercial drivers, couriers, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employees. They face the following common workplace hazards on a daily basis:
- Roadway crashes and pedestrian strikes
- Pinch‑points during coupling, docking, or loading
- Falls from steps, lifts, or truck beds
Transportation incidents made up 13 city fatalities.
Retail
Working in retail requires lifting, stocking, and cash handling with crowded aisles and changing floor conditions. Retail workers can suffer injuries due to the following:
- Slips and trips on wet floors or clutter
- Robberies and violent acts during opening/closing
- Back and shoulder strains from stocking or deliveries
Seven fatalities in the retail industry occurred in New York City in 2023.
How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Work
Workers’ Compensation can include several types of benefits depending on the facts of the claim. Common categories are medical coverage, wage benefits during periods of disability, and death benefits for eligible families. The specifics are set by New York law and the Workers’ Compensation Board.
Medical Coverage
Medical care is provided through authorized doctors and facilities and paid by the employer’s insurance carrier when approved. Some treatments require prior authorization under New York’s Medical Treatment Guidelines.
Covered care can include imaging, therapy, surgery, durable medical equipment, and prescriptions tied to the claim. Medical coverage lasts for life in Workers’ Compensation.
Wage Benefits
If an authorized provider states you cannot work, or can only work with restrictions, cash benefits may be available. Payments are based on two factors: your average weekly wage and the degree of disability, up to the statewide maximum. Wage benefits can pay up to two-thirds of what you made before taxes.
Workers’ Compensation Denials and Appeals
When a claim is denied or benefits are stopped, we act quickly to protect your rights before the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. Common issues include missed deadlines, disputes about whether the injury is work-related, independent medical examination (IME) opinions, or questions about disability level.
An attorney may approach a denial of benefits by doing the following:
- Identify the reason for denial: An attorney reviews the carrier’s notice and your medical records to pinpoint what the insurer is contesting.
- Request a hearing: Your first step is to request a hearing and present your position to a Workers’ Compensation Board judge.
- Develop the record: Attorneys gather supporting documents, obtain written statements where appropriate, and prepare you for testimony.
- Pursue appeals: If the decision is unfavorable, an attorney can file administrative appeals within the Board’s deadlines and submit written arguments.
How Our New York Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Help
We guide injured workers and families through each step of a New York Workers’ Compensation case, keeping the process organized, deadlines met, and paperwork complete. Our attorneys provide the following personalized legal services throughout the claims process:
- File new claims and forms: We prepare and submit required documents, track responses from the insurance carrier, and keep your case moving.
- Respond to denials: We can request hearings, assemble evidence, and present your position to a Workers’ Compensation Board judge.
- Prepare for IMEs and hearings: We do not speak to treating doctors, but we explain what to expect so that you can prepare for a hearing.
- Explain benefits in plain English: We clarify medical approvals, lifetime medical coverage in Workers’ Compensation, and wage benefits that can be up to two-thirds of what you made before taxes.
- Keep you informed: We provide updates by phone, Zoom, and secure tools so you know where your claim stands.
Why don’t you?Free Case Consultation
Our New York City Workers’ Compensation Attorneys are Ready to File Your Claim
Our team knows what the common workplace hazards in New York City are, and we can file a Workers’ Compensation claim and advocate for you throughout the process. At O’Connor Law, we handle filings, respond to denials, and prepare you for hearings so your claim stays on track.
Each year, we secure millions in non-medical benefits for injured workers. Call us for a free initial consultation.
