Employees of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) face physically demanding work and increased exposure to injury risks. With 35 years of combined experience, our MTA Workers’ Compensation lawyers in Yonkers guide injured workers through the process of securing the benefits that cover medical treatment, lost wages, and permanent impairment.
At O’Connor Law, our attorneys recover millions annually in non-medical benefits for workers. We’re prepared to help you pursue Workers’ Compensation benefits for your medical expenses, partial wage replacement, and any additional entitlements under New York law. Contact our Yonkers Workers’ Compensation lawyers today to begin your free consultation.
Who Qualifies for MTA Workers’ Compensation?
MTA employees who sustain injuries while carrying out their job responsibilities may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits under New York law. These benefits exist to support injured workers through their recovery, under New York’s no-fault system. As long as the injury occurred in the course of your employment, you likely meet the criteria for coverage.
Workers’ Compensation benefits cover a wide range of MTA employees, including:
- Commuter train operators
- Subway operators
- Bus drivers
- Track workers and mechanics
- Cleaners and maintenance staff
- Office employees working for the MTA
Even if you’re a part-time or seasonal worker, you may still qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits.
What Types of Injuries Are Covered Under MTA Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ Compensation applies to most injuries that occur on the job, whether they result from a single accident or repetitive stress over time. Injuries MTA employees may experience on the job include:
- Torn rotator cuffs (shoulder injuries)
- Back injuries requiring surgery
- Neck surgeries
- ACL or meniscus tears in the knee
- Bicep tears
- Elbow, hip, and knee injuries
- Arm, hand, leg, and other orthopedic injuries
These injuries can happen due to slips, falls, repetitive motion, heavy lifting, or other workplace hazards.
Yonkers MTA Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Near Me (914) 595-4502
What Benefits Are Available Under Workers’ Compensation?
Injured MTA employees may qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits, which provide support after a work-related injury. These benefits help cover reasonable medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, allowing employees to focus on recovery. Additional benefits may also apply in some cases.
Our MTA Workers’ Compensation attorneys in Yonkers can determine which benefits apply to your claim and fight for what you deserve.
Lost Wages
Workers’ Compensation can replace part of the wages—up to two-thirds of what you made before taxes—you lose if your injury prevents you from working. The amount is based on the average of your wages during the 52 weeks before the accident.
Once the Workers’ Compensation Board issues an award, insurance companies must make payments within 25 days of the due date. Insurance companies do have the option to appeal a decision on awards, though.
For some MTA workers, union contracts or employer policies may allow for differential pay, which fills the gap between Workers’ Compensation benefits and your regular paycheck.
Medical Care
Workers’ Compensation covers all reasonable medical expenses for work-related injuries. This includes pre-approved treatments, surgeries, and follow-up care, with no out-of-pocket costs to the worker. You should not pay out of pocket for pre-approved treatments or use your personal health insurance to cover treatment. Medical coverage lasts for life in Workers’ Compensation.
Disability Benefits
If your injury causes a temporary or permanent disability, you may receive additional benefits. These payments depend on the severity and duration of your condition. Workers’ Compensation benefits are not lifetime benefits for all cases and may have limits.
Decisions about disability benefits hinge on an injured worker reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This occurs when your doctor determines that you have completed treatment and there is no other medical treatment that will improve your condition. MMI is typically reached about six to nine months after your injury or six months to a year after any related surgery you may need, at which point:
- Your doctor will perform a permanency evaluation to determine whether you have any permanent disabilities.
- If you have lingering effects from your injury, the doctor will assign an impairment rating, which measures the loss of function in the affected part of your body. Ratings range from 0% (full recovery) to 100% (total loss of function).
Once an impairment rating is provided, the insurance company may accept it or request a second opinion from an independent doctor of their choosing.
Mental Health Coverage
Workers’ Compensation may also provide benefits for mental health conditions that result from workplace incidents, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
For MTA employees, this can include psychological trauma stemming from experiencing or witnessing tragic events like individuals being hit by trains, dying, or suffering serious injuries due to subway surfing or other accidents.
MTA workers who sustained injuries may also experience mental trauma that requires therapy. Workers’ Compensation benefits can help cover the costs of therapy, counseling, and other treatments aimed at addressing these conditions.
How Our Yonkers MTA Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Assist With Your Claim
What you do immediately after suffering a workplace injury makes a difference. At O’Connor Law, our Yonkers MTA Workers’ Compensation attorneys are here to guide you through the process and handle the details so you can focus on recovery.
Reporting Your Injury
You must notify your supervisor of your injury within 30 days. This report must be in writing, and you should keep a copy for your records in case there are questions later. Proper reporting avoids complications with your claim.
Filing Your Claim
To formally start your Workers’ Compensation case, you need to file Form C-3 within two years of your injury happening or the date you discovered the injury was work-related. Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to benefits. Our attorneys can file the proper paperwork on time and without errors.
Preparing for Medical Exams
Insurance companies may require an Independent Medical Exam (IME) to assess your condition. Doctors hired by the insurer conduct these exams, and their findings can influence your benefits. We’ll help you prepare for the exam and ensure you understand what to expect.
Fighting Denials and Securing Benefits
If your claim is denied or undervalued, our Yonkers MTA Workers’ Compensation lawyers take action to protect your rights. Our team works to secure benefits for lost wages, medical expenses, and disability payments. We can also assist if an insurance company is late in making payments.
Why don’t you?Free Case Consultation
Let Our Yonkers MTA Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Handle Your Claim
The insurance company has a legal team, so why don’t you? At O’Connor Law, our Yonkers MTA Workers’ Compensation lawyers are dedicated to securing the benefits you deserve. We know how to handle the tactics insurance companies use to minimize or deny claims.
To better serve clients, we use modern tools like a convenient mobile app that provides real-time updates, access to case documents, and direct communication with your legal team.
We work on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if you get paid. Compensation is only awarded if the Workers’ Compensation judge rules in your favor, so there’s no financial risk to you. Contact O’Connor Law today for a free consultation.
