Many New York employees probably regard their workplaces as safe environments. Many others, however, suffer a high risk of on-the-job injuries or work-related injuries due to the location of their work or the types of duties they perform. Workplace injuries can occur in nearly every kind of workplace but some of the higher-risk workplaces include construction sites, factories, and other job sites where intense physical labor is required.
In Upper West Side Manhattan, an employee classified as a building worker was recently rushed to the hospital after he was injured in a fall. The employee was a 45-year-old male, and the accident occurred early in the morning, just after 6:00 a.m. According to news reports, he fell down an elevator shaft a distance of approximately 25 feet. Although he was taken to the hospital in serious condition, his injuries are not expected to be life-threatening.
Suffering an injury at work is stressful not only because of the physical effects of the injury but also because of the injury’s effects on a person’s ability to work. Most people work out of financial necessity, so even a few days or weeks of lost time at work can create significant financial hardship, especially if combined with medical bills. Workers’ compensation is designed to protect employees’ interests if they are injured on the job, but the process of filing a claim can be quite confusing.
When filing a claim, it is important for injured workers to understand that they must follow specific steps in order to avoid losing their right to benefits under the workers’ compensation system. The first step should always be reporting the injury to a work supervisor so that the employer is aware of the problem. Workers should next not hesitate to seek medical attention. After an injured worker has taken these two important actions, he or she can consult with an attorney to learn more about filing a claim. Workers’ compensation benefits can help cover medical expenses, lost wages and the cost of any ongoing care that may be needed.
Source: ABC7, “Building worker injured in fall down upper west side elevator shaft,” Sept. 25, 2014
