Founding Partner
A work injury can change your life in seconds. You may worry about medical bills, missed paychecks, and pressure to return before you feel ready. A workplace accident lawyer can help you understand your options and protect your claim. At Parker Waichman LLP, we help injured workers in Melville, Suffolk County, and across New York pursue workers’ compensation benefits and, when the law allows, additional claims against other responsible parties.
Workplace injury cases can move fast. Video can disappear. Witnesses can move on. Insurance carriers often ask for recorded statements and push for quick settlements. Parker Waichman LLP helps you take the next step with clear guidance and direct communication.
Our firm reports recovering more than $2 billion for clients across our practice areas. We also handle serious workplace injury matters, including a reported $6.2 million recovery for a construction worker injured in a scaffold fall. We use that litigation experience to build claims with strong documentation and a plan that fits the facts. Learn more about our verdicts and settlements.
When you work with us, you can expect:
We offer free consultations, and we handle many workplace injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Workplace accidents happen in many settings in and around Melville. Some injuries occur on construction sites and road crews. Others occur in warehouses, office buildings, medical facilities, retail stores, and delivery areas.
We represent workers hurt in many types of incidents, including falls, struck-by injuries, crush injuries, and equipment-related accidents. We also see serious injuries that develop after one event, such as back injuries, knee injuries, and head trauma.
Construction work creates serious risks. This is especially true when a job site lacks proper safety planning or uses the wrong safety equipment. We often see injuries from:
New York’s Labor Law may provide added protections in certain construction accident cases. These protections include claims tied to elevation-related hazards. Depending on the facts, you may have options beyond workers’ compensation.
Many workers suffer injuries outside construction. We handle cases involving:
Some injuries happen because a company failed to keep walkways clear, rushed production, skipped training, or ignored a known hazard. Other injuries trace back to outside companies. For example, a maintenance vendor may create a dangerous condition, or a manufacturer may sell a defective tool or safety device.
In some cases, a third party may share responsibility for what happened. This could include a property owner, subcontractor, maintenance company, delivery company, or equipment manufacturer. When a third party caused the injury, a separate personal injury claim may allow you to pursue damages that workers’ compensation does not pay.
After a workplace injury, most employees start with a New York workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation can cover necessary medical treatment and part of your lost wages. This applies regardless of who caused the accident. In exchange for those benefits, New York law often limits your ability to sue your employer for negligence.
Even when workers’ compensation applies, problems can come up. An insurer may dispute that the injury happened at work. It may challenge how serious the injury is. It may question whether you can return to work. It may require an independent medical exam (IME) and then rely on that report to cut off treatment or wage benefits.
Workers’ compensation also does not cover every type of loss. In many cases, it does not pay for pain and suffering. That is why it matters to check for third-party responsibility.
You may also have a separate personal injury claim when a third party played a role in the accident. These cases often involve:
A third-party claim may allow damages that workers’ compensation does not pay. These include pain and suffering and full wage loss.
Parker Waichman LLP can help by gathering the documents that support your claim and your injuries. Depending on the case, that may include incident reports, witness statements, job site logs, photographs, safety policies, and available video footage. We also identify every potentially responsible party and track deadlines for each claim. This helps you avoid losing your rights while you focus on healing.
The value of a workplace injury case depends on the type of claim and how the injury affects your health, your work, and your daily life.
Workers’ compensation benefits may include payment for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. Some workers also qualify for awards tied to permanent loss of use of a body part or other benefits based on disability classification.
If a third party caused or contributed to the accident, a personal injury claim may allow you to seek compensation for a broader range of losses, such as:
When we evaluate a case, we look beyond the first hospital visit. We review medical records, job duties, and long-term needs like physical therapy, surgeries, medication, and assistive devices. We also consider out-of-pocket costs and how the injury affects daily routines, sleep, family responsibilities, and your ability to return to work.
The choices you make after an accident can affect your health and your claim. If you can, take these steps as soon as possible:
Write down what happened while it stays fresh in your mind. Keep notes about pain levels, limitations, and missed workdays. Also, avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
Try to avoid guessing about fault when you speak to an employer or insurer. Stick to the facts, and do not sign forms you do not understand. If an adjuster asks for a recorded statement, you can ask questions first and get legal advice before you proceed.
If you want legal help, contact Parker Waichman LLP as soon as you can. Early guidance can help you protect key evidence and meet important deadlines.
In many cases, workers’ compensation provides the main remedy. New York law often limits lawsuits against an employer for negligence. This rule usually applies even when a coworker caused the accident.
However, some situations create other options. You may have a separate claim against a third party who caused or contributed to the accident. This could include a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer.
Construction accidents may also involve additional rights under New York Labor Law. The specific rights depend on the facts. A lawyer can review what happened and explain which claims may apply.
Deadlines depend on the type of claim. In New York workers’ compensation cases, you generally must notify your employer within 30 days. You typically must file a claim within two years. According to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, timely notice is critical to protecting your rights.
Personal injury lawsuits in New York often have a three-year statute of limitations (against private parties). However, some cases have drastically shorter deadlines. For example, if a city, county, or other public entity played a role in the accident (such as a city-owned construction site or a municipal vehicle), you generally have only 90 days to serve a formal Notice of Claim. Missing this 90-day window can bar your third-party claim entirely.
Because deadlines vary and exceptions can apply, it helps to speak with an attorney soon after an injury.
You can still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits even if you played a role in the accident, as it is a no-fault system.
In a standard third-party personal injury case, New York uses a comparative negligence rule, meaning a court may reduce your recovery by your percentage of fault. However, there are powerful exceptions. If you were injured falling from a height (like a scaffold or ladder) on a construction site, New York’s ‘Scaffold Law’ (Labor Law § 240) may apply. Under this law, if a contractor or property owner failed to provide proper safety equipment, they can be held 100% strictly liable, meaning your compensation cannot be reduced even if you made a mistake.
Insurance companies sometimes try to overstate fault to reduce what they pay. We look for documents, witness statements, video footage, and safety records that show what really happened.
We offer free consultations. We handle many workplace injury matters on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay an attorney’s fee upfront. You only pay an attorney’s fee if we recover compensation for you.
During your consultation, we can explain how fees and costs work in your type of case. We also explain what you can expect before you decide to move forward.
No standard settlement amount fits every workplace accident. The value depends on factors like the seriousness of your injury, how long you miss work, the medical care you need, and whether you can return to your job.
The type of case also matters. Workers’ compensation follows benefit rules. A third-party claim may allow broader compensation, including pain and suffering.
We evaluate your injuries and the evidence so you can understand what drives value in your situation and what steps may strengthen your claim.
Some workers’ compensation issues resolve in weeks or months. Others take longer when the insurer disputes treatment, disability status, or wage loss.
Third-party personal injury claims also vary. A case may settle sooner when liability is clear and medical treatment stabilizes. Litigation can take longer when the parties dispute fault or the injury requires long-term care.
We keep you informed as the case moves forward and explain major steps before deadlines arrive.
You do not have to hire a lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim. Still, legal help can make a difference when the insurer questions your injury, limits medical care, delays approvals, or disputes lost wages.
A lawyer also helps when a third party may share responsibility. You may need to file a separate claim to pursue full compensation for the harm you suffered.
At Parker Waichman LLP, we review your situation, explain your options in plain language, and handle communication with insurers and other parties so you can focus on your recovery.
If you suffered an on-the-job injury in Melville, you do not have to handle the process alone. Parker Waichman LLP can review your workplace accident, explain what benefits or claims may apply, and help you take the next step.
Call (516) 466-6500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our Melville office is located at 201 Old Country Road, Suite 145, Melville, NY 11747.
Explore more resources to understand your workplace injury rights:
Parker Waichman LLP
Why Trust UsWith Your Case?
We Take Care of Everything
No Recovery = No Fees
Decades of Experience
Recovered Billions of Dollars
Respected by Our Peers
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.
4.8 from 549 Reviews
Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.
I had a great experience with them , everyone was very helpful and sweet.
Michelle Murphy
4 months ago
Zarahi was very professional and very Quick and very knowledgeable i realy appreciated her patience and perseverance she Deserves 100 stars 🌟 but since i can only send 5 i Guess i will just have to send that truly yours Rashine Downs
Kush Three
6 months ago
VERY NICE WORK PLACE THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD TO MY MOM
Whitney Brinson
5 years ago
They treated me with tender love and care
Terrell Weaver
2 months ago
Wonderful people. They made the whole process if dealing with a gov’t agency so easy. Special compliments to Gina Viti
Michael Ross
2 months ago
I’m a 9/11 first responder, and I can honestly say that Parker Waichman made me feel like they had my best interest in my VCF case. Ms Candalino & Ms Viti are top notch in my book. I was constantly informed on the status of my case. I would definitely recommend Parker Waichman LLP to family and friends.
D D
6 years ago
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
We handle mass torts cases nationwide. Please contact our office to learn more.
