Hurt at Work in Yonkers? Get Clear Answers and a Free Consultation.
If you were injured at work in Yonkers and are worried about medical treatment, lost wages, or dealing with the insurance company, you don’t have to figure everything out alone.
The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is a local workers’ compensation firm that provides injured workers with quality legal representation focused on clarity, compassion, and strong advocacy.
To request a free consultation, give us a call at (914) 810-0510 or easily sign up for one below.
Let us help you calmly and confidently move forward while pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
The Basics of Workers’ Comp in Yonkers, NY
Here are some of the top questions people have if they’ve never been hurt at work before.
If I was hurt at work in Yonkers, can I receive workers’ compensation?
Yes, you can generally receive workers’ comp benefits for sudden accidents as well as injuries or conditions that develop over time from repetitive or physically demanding work.
This is also a “no-fault system,” which means that you can get benefits without needing to prove your employer’s negligence caused your injury.
How Important Are My First Emergency Room Records?
Your first medical records are very important. They document what happened, your injuries, recommendations for follow up care, and whether or not you can return to work.
So whether you went to an emergency room at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, or another medical office in Yonkers, make sure you keep copies of your discharge papers and medical records.
What types of work injuries can be covered?
Work-related injuries take many forms. Common examples include:
- back and neck injuries
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- overuse injuries
- rotator cuff tears
- meniscus tears
- ACL tears
- shoulder dislocations
- concussions
- fractures
- and other orthopedic injuries
For example, a nurse or other healthcare worker might hurt her back while moving a patient, develop carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive duties, suffer a shoulder injury while assisting a patient, or tear a meniscus or ACL while at work.
All of the above examples would be the injuries that are typically eligible for workers’ compensation in New York.
What if my injury happened gradually instead of in one accident?
Gradual or repetitive injuries caused by overuse at work are also eligible for workers’ compensation.
These “occupational disease” claims include things like carpal tunnel syndrome, hearing loss, trigger finger, neck and back injuries, and various other occupational illnesses and conditions occur over time rather than from one specific accident.
Can workers’ compensation cover surgery?
Usually yes, so long as the treatment is medically necessary and related to an established work injury.
Some of the most common types of job-related injuries that require surgery are:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Meniscus tears
- ACL tears
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- Serious back and neck injuries
A knowledgeable New York workers’ comp attorney can help advocate for the injured worker to get their surgery approved and then pursue full compensation for lost wages for any time missed from work.
Compensation for Lost Wages Through Workers’ Comp
The top thing most injured workers are concerned with after a serious work-related accident is getting clear answers on how much they will get paid for any time that they miss from work.
Here are some of the basic things every injured worker should know about lost wage compensation.
How much per week can I get from workers’ comp if I’m injured on the job in Yonkers?
If you have medical records documenting that an on-the-job injury prevents you from working, you will generally be entitled to temporary disability benefits.
New York workers’ compensation provides temporary wage-loss payments up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage subject to a state maximum amount that changes each year.
As of July 1st, 2026, the maximum temporary total disability rate is $1,281.50.
What is the difference between temporary total disability and temporary partial disability?
If you are totally disabled from work temporarily, meaning you absolutely cannot work at all, you can be eligible for that two-thirds rate. This is considered 100% disability for workers’ comp purposes.
If, however, your temporary disability is only partial, you could get less than two-thirds of your average weekly wage. The rate for partial disability will hinge on the overall percentage of impairment, which can often be something between 25% to 75%.
What if the insurance company is paying me less than what I should receive?
This is usually the top reason injured workers in Yonkers seek legal representation.
While it’s true your benefit rate can vary based on factors like your average weekly wage and degree of disability, it’s very common for insurance companies to treat injured workers unfairly by paying them less than they are owed.
So if you believe your lost wage benefits are too low, your disability is being underestimated, or payments have stopped, an attorney can review the claim and determine whether there is a basis to challenge the insurance company’s position.
What if I am completely out of work for weeks or months?
A lengthy period away from work can create enormous financial and emotional stress, particularly when you have a mortgage, rent, children, childcare costs, or other family responsibilities.
While workers’ comp payments can continue for very long periods in New York, the reality is that the longer the case goes on the more likely it is that the insurance company will try to reduce your payments or completely cut them off.
On of the primary tactics insurance adjusters use to stop paying injured workers is by sending you to an “Independent Medical Exam” or “IME.”
Independent Medical Exams (IME)
Nothing tends to create more uncertainty and confusion on a workers’ compensation case than the first time an injured worker receives a notice from the insurance company about an IME.
Here’s what you need to know before you show up at the IME.
What is an independent medical examination in the context of a workers’ compensation case in NY?
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is an examination by a doctor selected by the insurance carrier to evaluate your work-related injury and disability.
Despite the word “independent,” these exams often feel one-sided to favor the insurance company. The IME report will often differ significantly from your treating doctor’s opinion on things like how disabled you are and what medical care is necessary.
Why is an IME important?
An IME report can potentially impact your degree of disability, which can in turn decrease your payments or stop them entirely.
It can also allow the insurance company to deny further medial care requested by your doctor such as physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, injections, or surgery.
These serious consequences that flow from an IME are why many injured workers who held off on getting a lawyer finally decide to hire one after they get a negative IME report.
Should I speak with a lawyer before my IME?
Yes, it is always recommended to consider speaking with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney when you receive an IME notice and are concerned about what it means.
An attorney can better help you understand the process and the issues that may be important in your case while also outlining a clear strategy to challenge an unfair IME report through depositions and litigation before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB).
The Value of Hiring a Trusted Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Yonkers
Here are some of the general things that people hurt on the job in Yonkers want to know before they call an attorney for a free consultation.
Is workers’ compensation the same thing as suing my employer?
No, not at all. This is a very important distinction for many hard-working people in the Yonkers area who are hesitant to hire a lawyer because they don’t want to cause trouble with their employer or seem like the “litigious type.”
A New York workers’ compensation claim is simply an administrative claim for benefits. It’s not the same thing as a personal injury lawsuit.
So when you hire a workers’ comp lawyer, you are not actually “suing your employer.” In fact, you’re not suing anyone at all.
Will hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer make things more complicated at work?
It should not because New York law protects employees from discrimination because they filed a workers’ compensation claim.
Will things be more contentious if I get a workers’ comp attorney?
Not always. In some cases an injured worker is really only looking for someone who can:
- explain their rights
- communicate with the insurance adjuster for them
- help them get physical therapy approved
- and appear for them at a virtual hearing before the workers’ comp board
Of course, in other cases where the insurance company is treating you unfairly, you might want your lawyer to fight hard for you and litigate the case aggressively. But even then, things are often not remotely as contentious as you might think.
So if you’re looking for a local workers’ compensation attorney who prioritizes bringing a sense of calm to his clients regardless of the path a case takes, give us a call at (914) 810-0510 today to request a free case review.
What does a Yonkers workers’ compensation lawyer actually do?
An attorney can use their significant knowledge and experience to protect your interests throughout a workers’ comp case by doing things like:
- communicating with the insurance company
- requesting hearings to increase your payments
- challenging an IME doctor through depositions
- seeking reconsideration of a denial for medical treatment
- helping you pursue a Schedule Loss of Use Award (SLU)
- negotiating a Section 32 settlement of your claim
Do I Have to Pay a Lawyer Up Front?
Never. Workers’ comp attorneys in New York only get paid if they recover compensation for you, which means there are no upfront fees to hire the lawyer.
Plus, any fee the attorney eventually gets is set by law and subject to approval by a judge with the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board.
Usually, the attorney’s fee will be about 15%, which is much lower than the typical 33% that is common in personal injury cases.
How Quickly Should I Speak With a Lawyer After a Work Injury?
As any lawyer will tell you: the sooner you understand your rights, the better.
This is especially true in NY workers’ compensation matters where strict deadlines apply for giving notice of an accident and filing certain claims-related forms.
Why Choose the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for your workers’ comp case in Yonkers?
The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell has a proven track record of putting clients first through compassionate representation, clear and direct legal advice, and frequent communication that keeps them informed every step of the way.
We understand that a serious on-the-job injury can leave you dealing with pain, missed work, medical appointments, insurance paperwork, and uncertainty about what happens next. The legal process should not add unnecessary stress, which is why we focus on bringing clarity and calm to what can usually be a very stressful period in your life.
When you hire Michael J. McConnell as your workers’ compensation attorney, you get a well-rounded advocate who brings valuable litigation experience from his days as a former prosecutor as well as insider knowledge of how insurance companies handle workers’ comp claims from his time working for a major insurance carrier.
Finally, our office is also conveniently located just a short drive from Yonkers in Ardsley, NY. We have free parking on site and are within walking distance from Doctors United in Ardsley as well as several other physical therapy providers, chiropractors, and other medical facilities, which makes it easy for clients to meet with their attorney before or after important medical visits.
Hurt at Work in Yonkers? Start With a Free Consultation.
If you are dealing with a work injury, lost time from work, denied medical treatment, reduced workers’ compensation payments, an upcoming IME, or simply do not know what to do next, contact the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell.
Call (914) 810-0510 for a free consultation or book one by clicking the button below.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about New York workers’ compensation law and is not legal advice. Every workers’ compensation claim is different. The information provided here does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult with a qualified New York workers’ compensation attorney about the specific facts of your case. Prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes.
Page last updated: August 15th, 2026.