Workers’ Comp for a Permanent Leg Injury

Workplace Accident Resulting in a Permanent Leg Injury? Call Our NYC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Help

One of the most common types of workplace accident injuries is a leg injury. This makes sense because, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the three leading causes of work-related injuries are contact with object/equipment, overexertion and bodily reaction, and falls. All three of these common causes could result in serious, debilitating, and permanent leg injuries. There are many different types of leg injuries that could be caused by a workplace accident too. According to other statistics, the most common were strains, contusions, fractures, and lacerations. Victims who have suffered a serious or debilitating injury at work may be entitled to recover workers’ comp for a permanent leg injury with the help of our NYC workers’ compensation lawyer.

Here at O’Connor Law, our compassionate and dedicated team can help fight to maximize the amount of your workers’ compensation benefits. We have a proven track record of success handling workers’ comp claims throughout the five boroughs, including in some of the most difficult permanent injury cases. If you are looking for workers’ comp for a permanent leg injury, call our NYC workers’ compensation lawyer for help by dialing (844) 692-6671. We offer FREE consultations to learn more about your rights to compensation, with no risk or obligation to sign up.

How Permanent Leg Injuries Happen

There are many common causes of leg injuries that could be due to a work-related accident. They go beyond just struck by an object, overexertion, and fall, and include the risks inherent to certain professions and jobs. Some examples of common causes of permanent leg injuries that may entitle a worker to workers’ comp include the following:

• Non-impact injuries such as due to physical effort like lifting heavy objects, pulling, pushing, holding, carrying, rolling, throwing, turning, resisting, and other actions that put strain on the leg muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bone
• Impact injuries, such as being hit by a falling object or rolling object, machine or equipment injuries, crushing, or other related accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents or crashes causing leg injuries
• Fire, burn, electricity, or other related types of thermal injuries to the legs
• Caustic and chemical burns to the legs, including from cleaning solvents or mixing chemicals
• Repetitive motion injuries such as constantly bending, pulling, lifting, rowing, squatting, or other overuse injuries
• Caught in machines, equipment, under vehicles, stock or shelf collapses, and other similar accidents
• Falls on snow and ice, wet floors, excessive wax, and other defects, and
• Other types of accidents that could allow a victim to recover workers’ comp for a permanent leg injury.

How are Permanent Leg Injuries for Workers’ Comp Valued in New York?

Workers’ compensation benefits allow for up to two-thirds (2/3s) of lost wages and related medical bills, as well as other benefits that may be applicable. However, when a person suffers a permanent injury, there is an entirely different way of valuing it under workers’ compensation laws. This makes sense because a permanent injury may still allow a worker to return to work after some lost wages, and the actual disability needs to be fairly compensated.

Thus, New York law allows for what is called a “schedule loss of use award.” This is a type of award that is based on an already agreed-upon amount by the Legislature for each unique body part. Most body parts have a loss of use award amount. This is the maximum number of weeks that an injured worker with a permanent injury can be awarded. A leg injury is given a maximum of 288 weeks.

The way the compensation is determined is to take the maximum number of weeks and multiple that by the percentage loss of use. For example, a doctor may determine that you have a 20% loss of use of your leg. That means you will get 20% of the 288, or roughly 57 weeks. An injured worker will then get up to two-thirds (2/3s) of his or her average weekly wages for those 57 weeks.

Do You Need Help Getting Workers’ Comp for a Permanent Leg Injury? Ask Our NYC Workers’ Comp Lawyer for Help

If you need help obtaining workers’ comp for a permanent leg injury in New York City, call our experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in NYC at O’Connor Law for help. We offer FREE consultations to answer your questions and explain what your rights to compensation may be. If you or a loved one suffered a permanent leg injury in a workplace accident or due to a workplace condition, please call our WC law firm for help. To schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about your rights and how we can help you, please call (844) 692-6671 or by sending us a private message through our “Contact Us” box available here.