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When an ordinary workday ends with an injury, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. The physical pain is only part of it; the medical costs, lost income, and worry about your family’s future can take an even bigger toll.
Workers’ compensation in New York is meant to help, but it doesn’t always cover everything you’ve lost. And if you’re a contractor, you might not be eligible at all. Many people don’t realize there are often other ways to pursue the financial support you need to recover and move forward.
If you were injured on the job in Syracuse, an experienced Syracuse worksite injury lawyer can guide you through your legal options, hold negligent parties accountable, and help you rebuild your life with financial stability and peace of mind.
New York Workers’ Compensation: Benefits and Limitations
Workers’ compensation in New York provides support after a work-related injury, regardless of who was at fault. That means you don’t need to prove negligence by your employer to receive benefits. However, there are limitations to what workers’ comp provides.
Covered benefits generally include:
- Medical Treatment: Workers’ comp will pay for your medical care, but you have to see providers the system approves, and certain treatments or therapies might require pre-approval before you can start them.
- Wage Replacement: You may receive partial wage replacement if you cannot work. However, this is only two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum of $1,222.42 per week as of July 1, 2025.
- Rehabilitation Services: In some cases, workers’ comp may cover vocational rehabilitation to help you return to the workforce.
Workers’ comp won’t cover pain and suffering, and it typically replaces only part of your lost income, which is why many injured workers explore other ways to recover the full value of what they’ve lost.
When a Third Party Might Be Liable
By holding negligent parties other than your employeraccountable, you may also recover compensation beyond workers’ comp, including pain and suffering, full wage loss, and other damages.
These parties might include:
| Party | Their Duty | How They May Be Responsible |
| Equipment Manufacturers | Provide safe, well-designed machinery and tools for workers. | Selling or producing defective forklifts, ladders, or power tools that cause injury. |
| Property Owners | Maintain safe premises for anyone working or visiting the site. | Allowing broken railings, poor lighting, or unstable scaffolding to remain hazardous. |
| Subcontractors | Follow safety regulations and protect other workers on shared sites. | Leaving exposed wiring, removing safety barriers, or not providing proper scaffolding under NY Labor Law 240. |
| Vehicle Drivers | Operate vehicles safely when transporting goods or traveling between job sites. | Driving carelessly or distractedly, causing crashes that injure workers. |
Claims against a third party may be the only way to seek full compensation for injuries exceeding workers’ compensation limits.
Social Security Disability Benefits
If your work-related injury leads to a disability that prevents you from working for a year or longer, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These benefits are separate from workers’ comp and can provide long-term income support.
However, the SSDI application process is often lengthy and complicated, and up to 67% of claims are initially denied.
Some of the most common hurdles include:
- Insufficient medical evidence showing that your condition prevents you from working
- Errors or missing information on submitted forms
- Not meeting the required work credit requirements
- Long delays due to administrative backlogs
Even with these challenges, SSDI remains a valuable option for workers with permanent or long-term impairments. And a denial isn’t necessarily the end; many applicants are successful on appeal with stronger medical documentation and legal support.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Some workers also have disability insurance through their employer or a private policy. These benefits can replace a portion of lost income when you’re unable to work, either temporarily or permanently.
Short-term disability typically covers a few months, while long-term disability can provide benefits for years, depending on the policy. Coordination with workers’ comp and other benefits is important because overlapping claims can create reimbursement issues.
The Importance of Prompt Reporting and Medical Treatment
To protect your rights, it’s important to get prompt medical treatment, document what happened, and report your injury after a work injury.
Here’s what to do:
- Tell Your Employer: Report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident.
- File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim: Submit Form C-3 within two years of the injury or occupational disease.
- File a Third-Party Lawsuit: You generally have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit; shorter deadlines may apply when public entities or other specific situations are involved.
- Get Proper Documentation: Use approved medical providers for workers’ compensation cases.
- Maintain Continuous Medical Records: Keep your treatment consistent and documented, since gaps in care can lead to claim denials.
- Keep Supporting Evidence: Save photographs, incident reports, witness names, and pay stubs to support your claim and prove wage loss.
Workers’ comp, disability benefits, and third-party claims can be overwhelming, and even a small mistake might jeopardize the support you’re entitled to.
Our Syracuse worksite injury lawyers thoroughly investigate your case, identify every possible source of compensation, and build a strong strategy to hold the right parties accountable. From negotiating with insurers to pursuing additional claims in court, we’re committed to ensuring you recover the maximum financial support available.
Get Legal Help With Your Worksite Injury Claim
After a work-related injury, you deserve to know every option available. Third-party claims, disability benefits, and insurance policies can provide the additional support you need for recovery. However, understanding how these systems work together and which steps to take first isn’t always simple.
Catalano Law has been a trusted advocate for injured workers across Central New York for more than three decades, helping thousands of people secure millions in settlements. Our firm can cut through red tape, hold negligent parties accountable, and negotiate for every dollar you’re entitled to.
Don’t let confusion or missed deadlines reduce the support your family depends on. Contact Catalano Law to schedule a free, confidential consultation and get the experienced guidance you need to get your life back on track.
