Bringing Clarity to a Complicated Process: How an Elmsford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer can Protect Your Rights with Straightforward and Clear Legal Guidance
Dealing with a work injury is hard. In addition to the shock and pain of the injury, you might be out of work and need extensive medical treatment.
If that wasn’t enough, now you have to figure out how to navigate the complex workers’ compensation system:
- insurance adjusters
- important deadlines
- hearing notices from the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board
- seemingly endless paperwork
- denials of medical treatment
- “Independent Medical Exams” with a doctor hired by the insurance company
- delays in getting essential medical care
The list goes on and on. Things are uncertain. You are worried you might not be getting the maximum compensation that you deserve.
Elmsford workers’ compensation attorney Michael J. McConnell wants you to know that he is here for you when you need him the most. And you can contact him right now for a free consultation if you want him to fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Putting Clients First: The Compassionate Approach to Legal Representation after a Work-Related Accident
Above all else, Michael J. McConnell is a workers’ compensation attorney dedicated to providing injured workers in Elmsford with clear, concise, and compassionate legal guidance.
And the bottom line is this: the goal on your claim is to get the most compensation that you are entitled to under the law.
Simple as that.
Behind all of the insurance or legal jargon, technicalities, deadlines, claim numbers, medical authorizations, and hoops that the insurance company might make you jump through is this reality:
A human being had their world turned upside down as a result of a work-related accident and they need help. They need compassion. And they need clarity.
Michael J. McConnell is an Elmsford workers’ compensation attorney who understands the importance of providing clarity through compassionate representation centered around a client-first approach.
The commitment to a client first approach at the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is straightforward:
- proactive legal representation
- consistent contact with our client throughout the entire case
- accountability (only attorney Michael J. McConnell handles your case so there is no getting the runaround and having to figure out who is doing what)
- clear direction on expectations and next steps
Who is Elmsford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Michael J. McConnell?
Michael J. McConnell is a former NYC prosecutor who knows how to work under pressure when the stakes are high. On top of that, he worked for over 5 years at a major insurance carrier handling New York workers’ compensation claims, which gives him important knowledge of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to maximizing case value.
The mission of attorney Michael J. McConnell is simple: provide compassionate representation to his clients through calm and steady guidance while being a relentless advocate who will not put up with an insurance company playing games. The goal is to win and get clients the money they deserve.
Get a Free Consultation with Elmsford Workers’ Compensation Attorney Michael J. McConnell
You can contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell to arrange a free consultation.
Please call (914) 810-0510, email info@mcconnellinjurylaw.com, or submit an online form through this website to schedule.
The free consultation comes with zero strings attached and it can be done:
- in person
- by phone
- by video
If you retain Michael J. McConnell as your workers’ compensation lawyer, there are no upfront costs and no fee unless he wins compensation for you.
Workers’ compensation attorneys in New York work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if you do.
There are generally zero out-of-pocket or upfront costs for an injured worker to hire a lawyer. Any fee they do get will typically be 15% or less. Plus, a judge has to approve the fee as well.
Common Work-Related Injuries in Elmsford
Any injury, condition, or disease can generally be covered under New York workers’ compensation if it is causally related to one’s employment.
Typical injuries include:
- Concussions (Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBIs)
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Broken Bones (Fractures)
- Meniscus Tears
- ACL Tears
- Strains and Sprains
- Herniated Discs
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Hip Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Trigger Finger
- Repetitive Strain Injury
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression
- Dislocated Shoulders
There are also various other workers’ compensation injuries, conditions, and diseases that can be catastrophic and even result in death. These include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Loss of Limbs
- Cancer
- Severe Spinal Cord Injuries
The Most Common Types of Work-Related Accidents
Work-related accidents can happen in countless ways, but here are some of the usual types of cases:
- slip/trip and falls
- heavy lifting
- construction accidents
- cuts from tools
- motor vehicle accidents
- repetitive activity
- equipment malfunctions
- falling from heights
- prolonged standing, sitting, or driving
- assaults or workplace violence
- exposure to chemicals or toxins
- object striking head
Who is eligible for workers’ compensation in New York?
Most employees are covered with very limited exceptions. You can get workers’ compensation regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Additionally, you can be covered for your accident regardless of who was at fault since it is a type of “no-fault insurance.”
The following list is representative of the types of jobs in Elmsford that could be covered by workers’ compensation:
- package delivery drivers
- nurses
- fast food workers
- warehouse employees
- construction
- manufacturing
- healthcare
- cleaners
- hotel employees
- home health aides
- retail custodians
- truckers
- mechanics
- packers
- produce associates
- guest room attendants
- meal prep associates
- couriers
- baristas
- grocery store employees
- tire technicians
- bank tellers
- chefs
How long do I have to report an accident if I got hurt at work in Elmsford?
Injured workers must notify their employer in writing of an accident within 30 days of the accident. It is usually best to notify them immediately after the accident happens.
If that 30-day deadline gets missed, an insurance company might deny the claim. While there are very limited ways to excuse late notice, doing so can require litigation. This is why it is always best to report the accident as soon as possible.
If you think you may have missed that 30-day deadline, it is highly recommended that you speak with a lawyer about your next steps. Most attorneys offer free consultations for injured workers, including the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell.
Who pays for medical expenses for my work injury?
If your claim is accepted by the insurance company or established by the Workers’ Compensation Board, medical bills related to covered body parts will be paid for by the insurance company.
This means there are no copays or deductibles for the injured worker. The insurance company pays for everything that is owed.
What type of medical expenses are covered by workers’ compensation in New York?
There is a broad range of medical services that can be paid for through workers’ compensation, including:
- doctor’s visits
- chiropractic
- physical therapy
- orthopedic
- podiatry
- neurology
- pain management
- injections
- surgery
- prescription medication
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
How do I get compensated for lost wages if I miss time from work?
If you have an Elmsford workers’ compensation case and are out of work, you can generally be eligible for temporary disability payments.
These payments are tax free and can be up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage subject to minimum and maximum rates set by law.
To get temporary disability payments, an injured worker must have a medical report from their doctor saying that they are disabled.
This is one reason why it is so important to see a doctor immediately and to continue to follow up with them as recommended. Without up-to-date medical reports saying that you cannot work, the insurance company might try to cut off your payments.
What if the insurance company denies my claim? Can an Elmsford workers’ compensation attorney help with that?
If your case is denied or controverted, that is a serious matter. It will typically mean that the insurance company is not going to pay you for lost wages or pay for medical care unless you win your case before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Injured workers can win their case even after an initial denial by the insurance company, but it often requires skillful and strategic litigation.
Some of the important things that usually need to be done to win before the Board and overturn a denial include:
- cross-examination of witnesses the insurance company or your employer calls to testify against you
- depositions of doctors
- written and oral arguments made to a judge about why your case should be established and why the insurance company was wrong to deny the claim
Having a trusted and aggressive Elmsford workers’ compensation lawyer fight for your right to workers’ compensation can be critical.
If you have been injured at work and your claim has been denied, you are strongly encouraged to reach out to The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for a free consultation where you can get a better understanding of your options.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is different and must be assessed carefully on its own merits.
Additionally, predicting the overall value of a case immediately after an accident is difficult since you won’t truly know really important things that impact case value, including the actual extent of the injuries and whether they will be permanent.
With that said, a knowledgeable and diligent attorney can assist you in understanding the types of compensation that might be available to you, which can be helpful in getting a better sense of what your case might be worth.
What if my injury is permanent? Is there additional compensation for that?
If your injury results in permanent impairment, you could potentially receive compensation for that.
For the most part, compensation for permanent impairment is set by law and the amount you get will depend on how severe the injury is. Determining how much you can get requires a very careful medical and legal analysis.
In general, the types of compensation available for permanent injuries include the following depending on what body part was injured and its severity:
- Schedule Loss of Use Award (SLU)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
How can an Elmsford workers’ compensation attorney help me with my case?
A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can help injured workers in a number of critical ways including:
- Ensuring that all of the required forms are filed timely.
- Assist in getting medical evidence filed with the Board and sent to the insurance carrier to help you get proper compensation for lost wages.
- Identify any and all possible ways to get the most compensation possible, including evaluating whether there is potential for a lawsuit against a third party that could get you more money for your injury.
- Deal with the insurance company directly to make sure they pay you what you deserve under the law.
- Litigate any issues that are in dispute.
- Depose doctors and cross-examine any witnesses against you if your claim is denied.
- Fight for the highest possible permanency rating based on the facts of your case and the applicable law.
- Calmly guide you through the complexities of the workers’ compensation process.
Negotiate a settlement of your claim if appropriate.
If you are hurt at work in Elmsford, you should contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for a free consultation.
Call or text: (914) 810-0510
Email: info@mcconnellinjurylaw.com
Page last updated 4/29/25.