New York Worker Injury Law Blog

Social Security Disability and Your "Date Last Insured"

By David Klein of The Klein Law Group, P.C. posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, June 14, 2019.

No one wants to get sick, to have an accident, to become disabled. But sometimes life happens, and if you become disabled and your disability keeps you from being able to work, you should think about the beginning the process of filing for disability with Social Security.

SSDI is not a government benefit-it's an insurance program, and you pay for that insurance from the payroll taxes you contribute from year to year. Your coverage lapses approximately 5 years after you stop working full-time, basically because by not working you are not paying your premium.

Shift work can increase your risk of drowsy driving

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

In the city that never sleeps, it may feel normal to be exhausted on your drive home from work, especially if you work the night shift. However, driving when you are extremely tired can risk your safety and the safety of others on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2017 about 91,000 crashes involved drowsy drivers, and these crashes lead to about 50,000 injuries and about 800 deaths. Drowsy driving is risky because you could fall asleep at the wheel, but it is also risky because sleep deprivation causes impaired reaction time and judgement. Although drowsy driving is usually caused when someone does not get enough sleep, shift workers may be especially vulnerable to drowsy driving collisions.

What are the Big 4 of construction accidents?

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Friday, June 7, 2019.

The construction industry is a booming part of the New York economy. From residential complexes to sprawling shopping centers to skyscraping office buildings, there are many different construction projects underway throughout the city and surrounding metropolitan area. Though machines and equipment are essential to putting up the homes and businesses that support New Yorkers' lives, construction workers are the heart of the efforts that go into new building projects.

Unfortunately, though, construction workers suffer too many dangerous and sometimes life-threatening injuries when they are at work. In fact, there are four main forms of injuries that individuals in this line of work suffer, and they are known as the "Big 4." This post will address them briefly but readers are reminded that this post does not contain legal or medical advice.

Hazards of exposure to outdoor and indoor heat at work

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

During summer months, those in the construction or landscaping industries and more can experience working conditions in extreme heat. Those working in restaurants, chemical plants, warehouses and more may experience high-heat exposure year-round in indoor workplaces.

New York City employees may fail to realize the consequences of exposure to heat, whether through high temperatures or humidity, direct contact with hot objects, strenuous physical activity or more. In response to the dangers that exposure to heat can cause, OSHA reminds workers of the necessities of understanding why heat can be a hazard, whether you could be at risk and what to do to prevent an illness or injury.

THREE MILLION DOLLARS FOR DEMOLITION/CONSTRUCTION WORKER

By David Klein of The Klein Law Group, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Monday, June 3, 2019.

I'm proud and gratified to report that I have succeeded in negotiating over $3,300,000.00 in a personal injury/workers' compensation lawsuit and settlement for one of my clients.

My client, a male construction work, was injured at work when a construction hole collapsed, and construction debris pinned him down. He suffered multiple injuries that have kept him totally disabled and not able to make a living for five years.

Mature gig workers fall through Social Security Disability cracks

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

You’re in your 50s and 60s and work in the “gig economy” as an independent contractor, temporary employee, consultant, etc., you may be in danger of falling through the cracks.

According to a new study, workers like you are less likely to get important information about their rights to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Do's and don'ts for submitting medical proof in an SSDI claim

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

After suffering a disabling injury or illness, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can provide the financial relief you need. However, the process to receive these benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be complex and frustrating.

One of the most important components of your SSDI application is the submission of medical proof or evidence. This evidence should support the history of your disabling condition, detailing the start of the condition, treatment sought, the severity of your condition and more. Here are five do’s and don’ts to stick to:

Neck and back injuries are common after car accidents

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

The shock of a car accident can leave a New York driver emotionally rattled and physically sore. As they begin to process what happened to them, they may discover that they have worse injuries than they initially believed. There are many different types of injuries that individuals can suffer when they are involved in motor vehicle accidents, but neck and back injuries can be particularly common and painful.

For example, one of the most common injuries that victims of rear-end collisions suffer is whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when a car is hit from behind and a person in the hit car suffers neck strain from having their head thrown forward. Whiplash can be serious and can require medical treatment; it has a number of associated symptoms that can be debilitating.

Worker deaths and injuries in the NYC building boom

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. on Monday, May 20, 2019.

If you’re injured as a New York City construction worker, you can seek workers’ compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and suffering.

This doesn’t depend on whether you were born in this country or you’re a documented or undocumented immigrant to the United States

Representation for victims of construction accidents

On behalf of The Klein Law Group, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Humans have been erecting structures for thousands of years, and over time those structures have become sturdier and sounder. New Yorkers can often witness the painstaking care that goes into building a new shopping complex, office park, or residential high rise due to the massive number of construction projects that are always underway in the city. While they can watch new buildings go up from afar, most people cannot get close to structures that are being built.

That is because construction sites can be dangerous. Workers use powerful tools, heavy equipment, and hazardous materials to ensure that new structures are safe and strong. While workers are given the proper training and equipment they need to stay safe at construction sites, every year many are still hurt in serious construction accidents.