General Advice

Ten Things Every Injured Worker Should Know

1. REPORT THE ACCIDENT IN WRITING. Don't rely on your employer to protect your rights. Prepare a written accident report (Workers Compensation Form C-3), give a copy to your employer and file the original with the Workers Compensation Board. 
   
   
2. BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT HURTS. Be very careful about what you put in the written accident report. The report must be extremely accurate. Identify ALL body parts that hurt due to the accident. 
   

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Serving Deaf & Hard of Hearing Clients

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAWYERS

OVERVIEW OF TITLE III [42 USC §§ 12181 - 12189] OF THE ADA

General Statement of Legal Obligations [42 USC §§ 12182 & 12183]

Places of PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION are prohibited from DISCRIMINATING on the basis of DISABILITY and must provide to people with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of the goods and services offered at that place of public accommodation.

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Resolving to Do Better

Many of us will resolve to "do better" in the new year. If my wishes are granted, injured workers in the coming year will resolve to do better--and WILL do better--in the following areas:

1. Resolve to Work Safely.
   
   It is better to AVOID injury than to rely on the workers' compensation or the civil justice system for relief. Even tradesmen who have received large amounts of money through either system will tell you that they would rather have a healthy body. Work safely and avoid injury whenever possible. 
   

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Representing Construction Workers

"Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will."
- W. Clement Stone 
When you represent a person injured in a construction accident, you can take several actions to help him overcome his fear about an uncertain future.

File a Workers' Compensation Claim

If not done by the employer, file a Workers' Compensation ["WC"] claim.

• Your client must complete form C-3 (Employee's Claim for Compensation) and file it with the WC Board.
• Find the form (www.wcb.state.ny.us/content/main/forms/c3.pdf) and the local office address (www.wcb.state.ny.us/design/framework/districtoffices.htm) online.
• Attorneys cannot collect a fee to represent a claimant in a WC case unless first approved by an Administrative Law Judge. Generally, no fee is approved unless your client is receiving money. If you do not regularly handle WC cases, refer your client to a qualified attorney.

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Action List for Injured Workers

Did You Know?

An Action List for Injured Workers 
by Steven V. Modica, Esq.

Being injured or ill because of work is awful. You cannot focus only on getting well. You have to take action to protect your rights. Here is what you have to do and when you have to do it:

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