New York City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A workplace injury can upend your life in a moment. Whether you were hurt on a construction site in Manhattan, diagnosed with an occupational illness after years of exposure on Long Island, or had your workers’ compensation claim denied without explanation, you need a New York City workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight for you, not just file paperwork on your behalf.

New York’s workers’ compensation system processes more than 165,000 claims every year. Despite those numbers, injured workers across New York City routinely face denied claims, reduced benefits, and insurance carriers that prioritize their bottom line over your recovery. In fact, approximately one in four workers’ compensation claims is initially denied by employers or their insurers.

At Mark David Shirian P.C., we represent injured workers throughout New York City. Our work injury attorneys bring over 25 years of litigation experience and an unwavering commitment to securing every benefit and dollar of compensation you are entitled to.

Call us at 212-931-6530 for a free, confidential consultation with a New York City workers’ compensation lawyer. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

What Is Workers’ Compensation in New York City, and Why It Often Is Not Enough

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to employees injured on the job. In New York, virtually all employers are required by law to carry it. That means you are generally entitled to medical coverage and wage replacement regardless of who caused the accident.

But workers’ compensation has significant limitations. New York’s system replaces only a portion of your lost wages. The current maximum weekly disability benefit is $1,171.46 per week as of 2024, and it provides zero compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the long-term impact on your quality of life.

When another party’s negligence contributed to your work injury, whether a general contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or subcontractor, you may have the right to pursue additional compensation through a third-party personal injury claim. At Mark David Shirian P.C., our New York City work injury lawyers investigate every angle of your case to make sure you are not leaving money on the table.

New York City Workers’ Compensation Cases We Handle

Construction Accidents

Construction is the deadliest industry in New York. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York State recorded 50 construction sector fatalities in 2024, with falls, slips, and trips accounting for nearly half of those deaths. In New York City, construction remains the single most dangerous occupation, and Latino and immigrant workers are disproportionately represented among those killed on the job.

From Manhattan high-rises to Long Island commercial builds, workers face serious risks every day: falls from scaffolding, crane collapses, trench cave-ins, electrical accidents, and equipment failures that cause catastrophic and life-altering injuries.

Construction sites involve multiple employers working side by side: general contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and property owners. When one of them is negligent, you may have grounds for both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party personal injury lawsuit. New York’s Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241 provide powerful protections for injured construction workers, and our New York City construction accident attorneys know exactly how to use them.

If you were injured on a construction site, do not assume workers’ comp is your only option. Call us before accepting any settlement.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Not every workplace injury happens in a single moment. Repetitive stress injuries develop over time because of repeated motion, overuse, or sustained physical strain. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, herniated discs, and knee injuries are common among workers in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, warehousing, and office environments.

These work injuries are among the most frequently disputed by insurance carriers, who argue the condition is not work-related or pre-existed your employment. Our attorneys know how to build a strong medical and legal case that connects your condition directly to your job, and holds the insurer accountable.

Occupational Illness

Some of the most serious workplace injuries are invisible. Toxic chemical exposure, asbestos inhalation, mold, industrial solvents, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances cause illness over months or years. Workers in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation throughout New York City are particularly vulnerable.

According to BLS data, exposure to harmful substances or environments resulted in 30 workplace fatalities in New York in 2024 alone. Many more workers suffer serious non-fatal illnesses that qualify for workers’ compensation benefits that insurers frequently contest.

Occupational illness claims are among the most complex workers’ compensation cases because the connection between exposure and diagnosis is not always immediate or obvious. Our New York City workers’ compensation attorneys work with medical and industrial experts to establish causation and fight for the full benefits you deserve.

Denied and Terminated Claims

If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, or if your benefits have been cut off before you have fully recovered, you are not alone, and you are not out of options.

Statistics show that approximately one in four workers’ compensation claims is initially denied. At the same time, a recent investigative report found that New York employers saw workers’ compensation loss costs drop by 54 percent between 2017 and 2024, a period during which insurers collected an estimated $7.7 billion in cumulative profits. These numbers reflect a system that has increasingly tilted in favor of insurance carriers, not injured workers.

Insurance carriers deny and terminate claims for a variety of reasons, including disputes over whether the injury is work-related, alleged failure to report on time, disagreements over medical treatment, and premature determinations that you are able to return to work. Many of these denials are wrong, and they can be challenged.

At Mark David Shirian P.C., we handle workers’ compensation appeals before the New York Workers’ Compensation Board and pursue every available avenue to restore your benefits. Do not let an insurer’s denial be the final word.

Why You Need a New York City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer on Your Side

Workers’ compensation claims may appear straightforward, but they rarely are, especially when injuries are serious, benefits are disputed, or third-party liability is involved. Insurance companies have experienced legal teams working to minimize what they pay. You deserve an experienced work injury lawyer working to maximize what you recover.

Our New York City work injury lawyers will:

• Investigate your accident thoroughly to identify all responsible parties
• Gather medical records, expert testimony, and evidence to support your claim
• Represent you at all Workers’ Compensation Board hearings
• Handle appeals if your claim has been denied or benefits have been cut off
• Pursue third-party personal injury claims when another party’s negligence contributed to your injury
• Fight for full compensation including lost wages, medical expenses, permanent disability benefits, and pain and suffering

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in New York City

1. Seek medical attention immediately. Your health comes first. See a doctor as soon as possible and make sure your injury is documented.
2. Report the injury to your employer. Notify your supervisor in writing as soon as you are able. Delays in reporting can jeopardize your claim.
3. Document everything. Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any equipment or conditions involved. Collect the names and contact information of witnesses.
4. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. Insurers use recorded statements to limit or deny claims. Speak with an attorney before making any statement.
5. Call Mark David Shirian P.C. The sooner you involve a New York City work injury attorney, the better positioned you are to protect your rights and build a strong case.

New York City Work Injury FAQs

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in New York City?

In New York, injured workers generally have two years from the date of injury or the date they became aware of a work-related illness to file a workers’ compensation claim. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and deadlines pass quickly.

Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury?

In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your direct employer. However, if a third party, such as a general contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, contributed to your injury, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them in addition to your workers’ comp claim. This is one of the most important and overlooked rights injured workers have.

What if my workers’ compensation claim was denied?

A denial is not the end. You have the right to appeal before the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, and our attorneys have extensive experience handling these appeals. If necessary, we can appeal all the way to the New York State Appellate Division. Contact us as soon as possible so we can review your claim and advise you on the best path forward.

How much does workers’ compensation pay in New York?

Workers’ compensation in New York generally pays up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages before your injury, subject to a state-imposed maximum. As of July 1, 2024, the maximum weekly disability benefit is $1,171.46. The system also covers approved medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and in the event of a work-related death, benefits for surviving dependents.

Do undocumented workers qualify for workers’ compensation in New York?

Yes. New York law does not require immigration status for workers’ compensation coverage. Undocumented workers injured on the job have the same right to file a claim as any other worker. If you have been told otherwise by your employer, contact us immediately.

How much does it cost to hire a New York City workers’ compensation lawyer?

We handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. We only get paid if we win your case.

Serving Injured Workers Throughout New York City

Mark David Shirian P.C. represents injured workers across the five boroughs and throughout Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Whether you were hurt on a construction site in Brooklyn, developed an occupational illness at a Nassau County facility, suffered a repetitive stress injury while working in Queens, or had your claim denied after an accident on Long Island, our work injury attorneys are here to fight for you.

New York’s workforce is the backbone of this region. When you are injured on the job, you deserve more than a claims form. You deserve a fighter.

Contact NYC Work Injury Lawyer Mark David Shirian P.C. Today

With over 25 years of litigation experience and a proven track record of results, New York City worker’s comp and work injury lawyer Mark David Shirian P.C. fights for injured workers throughout New York City, Long Island and the five boroughs. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.