Garden City Workplace Accident Lawyer

On-the-Job Injuries: Legal Help from an Experienced Garden City Accident Attorney

When a serious job site accident leaves you injured, turning to an experienced Garden City personal injury lawyer is a crucial first step toward protecting your rights and financial stability. Whether you suffered a fall from scaffolding, a forklift mishap, chemical exposure, or a site collapse, our firm brings decades of tri-state area experience fighting for injured workers and their families.

A Garden City workplace accident lawyer at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss guides you through workers’ compensation claims while investigating whether negligent third parties share the blame. Led by partners Matthew Sakkas, Adam D. Cahn, and Mitchel E. Weiss, our firm has secured more than $700 million in total recoveries for injured clients. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 

Instead of carrying the burden of medical bills and lost wages alone, let our team handle the insurance companies and court filings so you can focus entirely on your physical recovery.

Work Site Injuries a Garden City Lawyer Handles

Workplace accidents happen in warehouses, construction sites, offices, retail stores, and factories across Nassau County. Some common work site injuries we handle include:

• Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or unprotected floor openings
• Forklift, crane, and heavy equipment accidents
• Being struck by falling tools, materials, or debris
• Exposure to toxic chemicals, lead, or poor ventilation
• Electrical shocks and equipment malfunctions
• Repetitive strain and overexertion injuries from lifting or machine work

Every one of these cases raises the same two questions: what workers’ compensation will pay for, and whether another company besides your employer shares the blame. We look at both angles from the start of your case.

Can You Sue a Third Party While Getting Workers’ Comp?

Workers’ compensation pays for medical care and about two-thirds of your average weekly wage. However, it does not pay for pain and suffering. If a property owner, equipment maker, or general contractor caused your injury, you can file a separate lawsuit against that company while still getting workers’ comp benefits.

This option matters most on construction sites and in large warehouses where many different companies work together.

Under New York Labor Law Section 240, construction workers who fall from heights or get hit by falling objects have strong protection. Property owners and contractors can be held responsible even if the worker made a mistake.

Important Deadlines for Your Case

You must report a work injury to your employer in writing within 30 days. You have 2 years from the date of the accident to file an official workers’ compensation claim.

If you want to sue a third party, New York law generally gives you 3 years from the date of the accident under Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 214. If you miss these deadlines, you could lose your right to collect money.

Results We’ve Won for Injured Workers

Our workplace accident results include:

• $6.8 million settlement: A hospital worker who suffered severe lead poisoning caused by poor ventilation and faulty tools.
• $2 million settlement: The family of a worker killed on the job.
• $1.7 million settlement: A worker injured in a forklift accident.
• $1.5 million settlement: A construction worker who fell at a job site.
• $1 million verdict: A warehouse manager who fell from a broken roof.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon do I need to report a work injury in Garden City?

New York law generally requires you to notify your employer in writing within 30 days of a work accident. You then have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a formal workers’ compensation claim. These deadlines are separate from the 3-year window for a lawsuit against a third party.

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim?

No. New York law protects you from being fired or punished for filing a workers’ compensation claim in good faith. If you believe you were let go or demoted because you reported a work injury, tell your attorney right away. Retaliation claims have their own process and timeline.

What happens if my employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance?

You may still be able to recover benefits through the state’s Uninsured Employers’ Fund, and in some situations you can also sue your employer directly in civil court. The usual rule that shields employers from lawsuits applies only when they carry the required coverage.

Where can I file or check on a workers’ compensation claim near Garden City?

The New York Workers’ Compensation Board operates a customer service center at 400 Oak Street in Garden City, where you can file paperwork, attend a hearing, or speak with a vocational counselor in person. Visits are by appointment only. Hearings are usually held by video unless you ask for an in-person hearing.

What does it cost to hire a workplace accident lawyer in Garden City?

Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss offers a free consultation to discuss your accident and your options. You can ask questions about your workers’ compensation claim and any possible third-party case before deciding how to move forward. We handle cases on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. 

Why Waiting Hurts Your Garden City Job Injury Case?

Evidence from a work site disappears fast. Video gets overwritten, conditions get repaired, and memories fade. The sooner a Garden City workplace accident lawyer reviews your case, the more options stay open, whether that means protecting your workers’ compensation claim or building a case against a negligent third party.

Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss is ready to review your case, and there is no cost to find out where you stand. Contact us today to talk about what happened and what comes next.