Sustaining an injury to your shoulder or knee at work can be devastating. When either of these body parts is hurt, you can face many challenges in the time following the injury. You may be out of work, you may be in severe pain, and it may be difficult even to move around your home to perform basic tasks.
In the year 2020, work-related injuries to knees and shoulders were responsible for the most time away from work, followed by injuries to the back, hands, and legs. The median amount of time away from work due to a shoulder injury was 28 days. The same statistic for a knee injury was 18 days. If you are currently not working due to your injury, you may be wondering what to do next. This can be especially distressing if you are watching medical bills pile up. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys can help.
Contact us today at 516-496-0400 to discuss your case with a New York workers’ compensation attorney from Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C.. Our experienced lawyers are here to support you during this frustrating time.
Common Shoulder and Knee Injuries in Occupational Accidents
There are a variety of ways you may sustain an injury to a shoulder or knee in the workplace, such as:
- Overexertion
- Repetitive stress
- Vehicle collisions
- Slipping or tripping and falling
- Faulty safety equipment
- Defective machinery, tools, or equipment
- Falling objects
When the incident hurts your shoulder, the resulting injury may include:
- Impingement
- Torn rotator cuff
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Shoulder dislocation
- Labral tear
When the incident hurts your knee, you may sustain injuries such as:
- Fracture
- Torn meniscus
- Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Tendon injury
- Cartilage injury
- Strain
- Tendonitis
- Contusions
- Knee dislocation
- Arthritis
Treatment for both shoulder injuries and knee injuries will vary based on many factors. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may require surgery. Surgical procedures typically increase the time needed for recovery as well as the associated expenses.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Shoulder and Knee Injuries
The process of pursuing benefits under workers’ compensation can be complicated. There are strict deadlines that must be met in order for you to be eligible to receive compensation. In addition, there are multiple reasons that a claim may be denied. These can include lack of documentation, waiting too long to seek treatment, failure to follow doctor’s orders, and conflicting statements between employer and employee. In the event your claim is denied, you have options for appealing the denial.
Workers’ compensation insurance generally covers health care and lost wages. All health care must be with an authorized health care provider in order to be covered. Medical treatment expenses may include surgery, physical therapy, hospital bills, and prescription medication.
You may be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages if you are unable to work for more than seven days or if your injury results in reduced pay. This can occur due to working fewer hours or having to perform a different job due to the injury. There are various other considerations involved in compensation for lost wages. An experienced attorney can advise you about the benefits available for your unique situation. This is one major reason why you should call Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. now. We will make sure that all documentation is in order and that all deadlines are met. When you choose us to represent you, we will work with you to get your medical bills covered.
You will not have to pay any fees upfront for your workers’ compensation attorney. After your case is settled or tried, your attorney will submit a request for fees to the Workers’ Compensation Board. They’ll approve, modify, or deny the request, and the attorneys’ fees will be taken from the cash portion of your award. This is one major reason why you should call Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. now. We will make sure that all documentation is in order and that all deadlines are met. When you choose us to represent you, we will advise you on how to get your medical bills covered.
What You Should Do If You Have Injured Your Shoulder or Knee at Work
If you sustained an injury at work, you likely expect that your expenses will be covered by your employer’s insurance company. This is the precise reason employers have insurance policies for workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, it’s not always a simple or straightforward process to get the compensation you need. These are the main steps you should take after an injury at work:
- You should contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to represent you. When you choose Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C., we can file your claim for you and help you pursue the benefits you deserve.
- Immediately report your injury to your employer. It’s critical that you do this within 30 days of the injury. Make the report in writing, and be sure to list specific details. These include the location, date, and time as well as information about what happened during the incident. If this is not done within 30 days of your injury, you may not be able to pursue compensation.
- Get medical attention. This is important for two reasons. First, it will get you the immediate medical care that you need while preliminarily determining the extent of your injury. In addition, it will begin to establish documentation of your injury and the necessary treatment. Make sure that the health care provider you receive care from is authorized by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. Keep all invoices, receipts, and any other documents related to your medical care.
- Comply with all doctor’s orders. This is crucial because your compliance is required in order to pursue compensation. In the event that you do not follow your doctor’s orders, your ability to receive compensation may be reduced.
Contact Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. Today
If you hurt your shoulder or knee at your job, you need to speak with a New York workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Call Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. today at 516-496-0400 to talk with a member of our legal team. You can also submit a contact form online, and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
We understand that you may have many questions right now. Our blog covers a variety of topics related to workers’ compensation that you may find helpful. We can also address any specific questions during a free consultation. You owe it to yourself to understand your options so you can make the best decision for your future. Call us now.