Bronx Workers’ Comp: Fighting for Every Dollar You Deserve

Getting hurt at work can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with an insurance company giving you the runaround about your claim.

Maybe they cut your payments after an IME, denied your claim entirely, or offered you a lowball settlement offer.

What they probably don’t want you to know is this: you have a right to a workers’ compensation lawyer who can advocate for you and level the playing field.

So if you’re tired of the insurance adjuster’s games and are ready to speak with a solution-oriented local workers’ compensation attorney, give the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell a call today at (914) 810-0510 for a free and confidential consultation.

We take a no-nonsense approach to dealing with insurance companies while providing high-quality legal representation to injured workers that’s built on compassion, clear communication, and relentless preparation.

Don’t wait a second longer to get the clear legal advice you need. Your path forward starts now.

FAQs Regarding Bronx Workers’ Compensation Injuries

Bronx County is home to a wide range of employers from major local hospitals, retail stores, restaurants, fast food chains, warehouses, auto repair centers, hotels, and more.

Jobs with many of these employers can be very physically demanding, which in turn can lead to very serious work-related injuries.

What follows is a helpful overview of some of the most important things injured workers in the Bronx should know about the New York workers’ compensation system.

Is my job covered by workers’ compensation?

Most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in New York, so most employees will be eligible.

There are a few exceptions that can apply, such as uniformed NYPD and FDNY employees among a handful of other jobs.

Besides those few exceptions, most employees in the Bronx are likely to be covered by workers’ compensation, including:

  • Nurses
  • Healthcare workers
  • Home health aides
  • Package delivery drivers
  • Retail associates
  • Fast food employees
  • Office workers
  • Truck drivers
  • Construction workers
  • Cleaners
  • Bus drivers
  • Mechanics

There are countless others as well, but if you’re unsure whether your job is covered, you should speak with a Bronx workers’ compensation lawyer immediately to obtain further guidance.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

Work-related accidents and occupational diseases that occur over a period of time can both be covered under workers’ compensation in New York.

Common work-related injuries can include things like: rotator cuff tears, meniscus tears, fractured wrists, concussions, herniated discs, carpal tunnel syndrome, lacerations, back and neck pain, and amputations.

What does workers’ comp pay for?

If your injury claim is accepted, you may receive temporary lost wage compensation, necessary medical treatment, and other related benefits, including in some cases additional money for permanent impairment.

What’s required to get paid for lost wages through workers’ compensation?

Generally, there are two important things you need to get temporary disability payments on your Bronx workers’ compensation case.

First, you must have a covered work-related injury that was accepted by the insurance company or established by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

Second, you must have credible medical documentation that states your work-related injury is preventing you from working.

There can be a few other nuances that apply as well, but in most cases if you have those two things you should usually be receiving temporary disability benefits.

How much can I get paid if I’m missing time from work after an on-the-job injury in the Bronx?

If you’re out of work, you may be eligible for up to 2/3rds of your average weekly wage for temporary disability payments.

The exact rate you get paid can vary significantly depending on your average weekly wage and your temporary disability percentage. There is also a minimum and maximum amount set by New York law that could apply as well, which changes periodically.

How does workers’ comp pay for medical bills?

For Bronx workers’ compensation accidents that are compensable, all necessary medical treatment is covered by the insurance company in charge of the claim. The medical provider will bill the insurance company directly, and they will be responsible for payment. You should not need to pay any medical bills yourself.

What types of medical care are paid for by workers’ comp?

There are many types of treatment that can be covered, but some of the most common examples include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Chiropractor visits
  • Doctor appointments
  • Injections
  • Medication
  • Surgery

Some types of treatment, including physical therapy and surgery, may require approval by the insurance company in certain situations.

If the insurance company improperly denies necessary treatment, the denial can be contested and potentially reversed by the Workers’ Compensation Board.

How much money can I get for a workers’ compensation settlement in the Bronx?

Since every case is unique, a determination of how much money you can get for a settlement must be made after an extremely careful review of the case facts.  

A thorough Bronx workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand how much your case might be worth once they have all the relevant details and documentation.

If you don’t have an attorney and are contacted by an adjuster about a settlement, it’s generally advisable to consult with an attorney, especially when the settlement could close out your claim for future benefits.

What is a Schedule Loss of Use Award?

Schedule Loss of Use Award (SLU) applies to injuries of the extremities that result in permanent impairment. For example, a permanent injury to an arm, leg, foot, or hand could potentially result in an SLU.

SLUs are essentially a lump sum payment for permanent impairment. You can get this award even if you return to work after an injury, although any payments for lost wages during the time you missed from work will be deducted from the total award.

When do I receive my SLU award after a work-related accident in New York?

When SLU applies, injured workers typically get paid the SLU on their case around a year or so after their injury. If they had surgery, then it might be about one year after that.

What’s the process for getting my SLU award?

To get the SLU, there needs to be medical evidence proving permanent impairment, which means you’ll need to schedule a SLU exam with your doctor.

Often insurance companies will dispute the doctor’s SLU determination and get their own doctor (called an Independent Medical Examiner or “IME”) to provide an opinion on SLU.

Typically the IME doctor will say the injured worker has a lesser SLU than the injured worker’s actual doctor said. Sometimes the IME doctor will even say there is no SLU at all.

In those cases, the issue of SLU gets litigated before the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board. After depositions and legal arguments are made, a judge will issue a decision regarding how much money that the injured worker gets for SLU.

Can I get permanent disability for workers’ compensation if I get hurt at work in the Bronx?

For permanent injuries to body parts not covered by a Schedule Loss of Use Award, injured workers can get permanent partial (PPD) or permanent total disability benefits (PTD) depending on the severity of the injury.

In general, the types of permanent injuries that result in PPD or PTD payments tend to be injuries of the head, back, neck, or other body systems not covered by an SLU.

Also, these PPD or PTD benefits are paid at a weekly rate for a certain number of weeks set by law depending on the severity of your injury. They are not paid in a lump sum like SLU.

Do I need to pay anything upfront for a workers’ compensation attorney in Bronx County, NY?

It costs you nothing upfront to hire a New York workers’ compensation attorney because we work on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you first.

The major benefit of this is that it allows you to get quality legal representation without having to pay a large out-of-pocket cost. And since the attorney’s fee is a percentage of your award, it tends to create a natural incentive for the attorney to do their best to maximize your compensation.

What percentage of my compensation will a workers’ comp attorney get if I hire them?

In general, the criteria for an attorney’s fee in New York is set by law and must be approved by a judge with the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board. In many cases, the fee may be around 15% of your award, although the exact amount depends on the case and the Board’s approval. Overall, the attorney’s fee in a workers’ comp case is significantly less than the typical one-third contingency fee that is customary in personal injury cases.

Why choose us as your Bronx workers’ comp lawyer?

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is committed to maximizing your workers’ compensation benefits through aggressive, personalized representation. His prior experience working on the insurance carrier side gives him valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend workers’ compensation claims, especially those involving nurses and other healthcare employees who get hurt at work.

Our office is generally a solid fit for an injured worker in the Bronx looking for a small-sized workers’ compensation firm that prioritizes clear and consistent communication so that you always know what’s happening with your case.

Also, when you hire us, you’ll work directly with attorney Michael J. McConnell the entire time, which is an important consideration for many injured workers who want the same attorney handling their case from start to finish.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s start with a free case review today.

If a workplace injury in the Bronx has left you out of work, facing surgery, or worried about how you will support your family, you don’t have to navigate the complicated workers’ compensation system alone.

You deserve the clarity and confidence that comes with knowing you have a trusted advocate by your side who is committed to leaving no stone unturned in pursuing every penny of the compensation you deserve.

We’re ready to help you move forward, so just give us a call at (914) 810-0510 or sign up for your free case review today.

Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice and should not be used as such. If you need legal advice, you must consult an attorney by contacting them directly and having a private conversation with them about the specific facts of your case. Prior results do not guarantee a future outcome.

This page was last updated on August 18th, 2026.