After a workplace injury, getting medical attention should be your first priority—not just for your health, but for your workers’ compensation claim. Ideally, you should see a doctor within 24 hours to document the injury and its connection to your job. While New York State law gives you 30 days to report the incident to your employer, acting quickly can make a big difference in your ability to recover full benefits. In this guide, we’ll explain why prompt treatment matters, what deadlines you need to know, and how to protect your right to compensation every step of the way.
Once you’ve received treatment, it might be time to explore your legal options. Meirowitz & Wasserberg can help you understand your next steps and guide you through the workers’ compensation claims process.
Quick Links
- Why It’s Critical To See a Doctor Immediately After a Workplace Injury
- Why Choose Meirowitz & Wasserberg for Your Work Injury Case?
- Recent Settlements and Verdicts
- What Are Our Clients Saying
- Legal Deadlines for Seeking Medical Treatment After a Work Injury
- Can You Still File a Claim if You Didn’t See a Doctor Immediately?
- When To Call a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
- Tips for Protecting Your Work Injury Claim
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Consult a Work Injury Lawyer at Meirowitz & Wasserberg
Why It’s Critical To See a Doctor Immediately After a Workplace Injury
You can only recover workers’ compensation benefits if you can prove that your injury is work-related. Without prompt medical attention, the insurer might argue that your injury resulted from something that happened outside of work. Getting treated immediately after a work injury proves the injury’s direct connection to your job.
A detailed medical record also protects your rights to full compensation by capturing your injury’s severity from the start. Early documentation demonstrates how your condition changes over time, which can influence treatment costs, time off work, and long-term disability. These details can significantly affect your workers’ compensation claim’s value.
Why Choose Meirowitz & Wasserberg for Your Work Injury Case?
When you’re injured at work, your future often rests in the hands of insurance companies that prioritize their bottom line over your recovery. That’s why it matters who stands beside you. Nobody should have to face a workers’ compensation claim alone, which is why we’re committed to leveling the playing field between injured workers and powerful insurers.
With over $500 million recovered in verdicts and settlements, we have a strong track record of success in both workers’ comp and personal injury cases. Our aggressive litigation strategy means we don’t back down in pursuit of maximum compensation for our clients. As nationally recognized trial attorneys, we’re prepared to stand up for you in court if the insurer refuses to do what’s right.
We understand how high the stakes can feel when your health and income are on the line. Our team provides personal attention and clear communication at every turn. When you trust us with your case, we’ll get to know you, keep you informed on your legal options, and be ready to answer your questions whenever they arise.
Recent Settlements and Verdicts
We measure our success by the meaningful results we deliver to injured workers and their loved ones. Our results include these workers’ compensation settlements and verdicts:
- $233,000 for a professor injured in a fall down a staircase
- $205,000 for a construction worker who fell 14 feet from a broken ladder
- $175,000 for a bus driver injured while lifting a wheelchair ramp
- $165,000 for a painter who suffered a head injury after striking the ceiling at work
- $125,000 for a telecommunications lineman injured in a fall while working in the field
- $125,000 for a cleaner who sustained a knee injury in a slip-and-fall accident at work
- $111,336 for a construction laborer who injured both knees in a fall at work
What Are Our Clients Saying
Our advocacy has given a voice to countless New Yorkers facing serious injuries. Here’s what some of them had to say about working with us:
Legal Deadlines for Seeking Medical Treatment After a Work Injury
Getting medical attention within 24 hours can strengthen your claim, and while there’s no legal deadline to see a doctor, failing to do so quickly can hurt your credibility and reduce the likelihood of claim approval. Also, other deadlines may apply to your case.
For example, New York State law requires you to notify your employer of the incident within 30 days of being injured at work. Additionally, you must notify the state Workers’ Compensation Board of the injury using Form C-3 within two years of the accident
Can You Still File a Claim if You Didn't See a Doctor Immediately?
Yes, but it may be more difficult. Not all injuries are apparent right away—some symptoms can take days or weeks to appear. If you didn’t see a doctor right after your accident and had no reason to believe you were injured, you might still be eligible for workers’ compensation.
Expert testimony can play a key role in these situations. Our attorneys can collaborate with a third-party medical expert to explain how your condition developed and why the symptoms were delayed. This can help establish the connection between your injury and your job, even if there was a large gap in time.
You’ll also need strong documentation going forward. Seek medical care as soon as symptoms emerge, and make sure to inform your doctor that you believe the injury is related to your job.
When To Call a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
We encourage you to contact us if you’ve sustained any type of work-related injury or illness. Having a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side can give you a leg up no matter your situation.
There are certain circumstances where it’s especially important to seek legal help. If any of the following situations apply to you, reach out to our attorneys as soon as possible:
- Your claim is being denied or delayed.
- You’re confused about your legal deadlines.
- Your employer is pressuring you to delay or avoid medical attention.
- The insurance company is disputing your injury’s severity or origin.
- You didn’t see a doctor right away after your injury.
Tips for Protecting Your Work Injury Claim
Taking the right steps after being injured at work can help you protect your ability to recover fair compensation. Here are some ways to strengthen your claim:
- Report the injury to your employer immediately: While state law gives you a 30-day deadline, reporting the workplace injury as soon as possible creates a clear record of what happened.
- Get prompt medical attention: Seeing a doctor quickly establishes a paper trail that proves the severity and cause of your injury.
- Follow all medical advice: Attend every scheduled appointment, take prescribed medications, and follow through with any recommended treatments or specialist referrals. Ignoring your doctor’s instructions communicates to the insurance company that your injury is less severe than you claim.
- Keep detailed records: Save all medical bills, medical records, pay stubs, and communications with your employer or the insurance company.
- Be careful what you say: Avoid giving recorded statements to the insurance company without legal advice. The insurer may try to get you to say something that might harm your case.
- Consult a NYC workers’ compensation lawyer before accepting a settlement offer: The insurance company might make a quick settlement offer that doesn’t fully account for your long-term needs. It pays to pause and get your attorney’s advice after receiving an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the following section, we answer common questions from injured workers and their loved ones.
Can I Switch Doctors After My First Appointment?
Yes, you may switch doctors during your workers’ compensation treatment if your current doctor isn’t a good fit. However, some insurance plans require you to wait until 30 days after your first visit to switch doctors.
What Happens if I Go to My Personal Doctor Instead of the Workers’ Comp Doctor?
You may see any doctor in an emergency. If it’s not an emergency, you’ll need to see a provider authorized by the state Workers’ Compensation Board. Workers’ comp may not cover your medical care if you don’t follow these guidelines.
What Happens if I Wait Too Long To See a Doctor?
Waiting too long could hurt your claim. The insurance company may argue that your injury isn’t work-related or isn’t as serious as you claim. As a result, it may deny your claim or try to pay you less than you deserve. It may take significantly more time and resources to convince the insurer that your injury is connected to your job.
Who Chooses the Doctor for a Workers’ Comp Claim?
In New York, injured workers generally have the right to choose their doctor from a list of providers authorized by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. You don’t have to see a specific provider selected by the insurance company unless your employer is enrolled in a Preferred Provider Organization plan.
If your employer does have PPO coverage, you may be required to see an in-network doctor for the first 30 days after your initial visit. After that, you may see a doctor of your choice by notifying your employer in writing that you intend to opt out of the PPO program. However, your employer or insurer may require you to seek a second opinion from another PPO provider.
In some cases, the insurance company may require you to attend an Independent Medical Examination. This is a one-time evaluation performed by an insurer-chosen doctor to assess the nature and extent of your injury.
What Should I Tell the Doctor at My First Visit?
Tell the doctor you were hurt at work. Provide the name of your employer and the insurance company.
Additionally, be specific about how, when, and where the injury occurred. Mention preexisting conditions or prior injuries if you believe they might be relevant, and ask your doctor to clearly document the connection between your injury and your job.
Consult a Work Injury Lawyer at Meirowitz & Wasserberg
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after being injured at work, then contact our law firm for further guidance. We’re here to empower you with information, advocacy, and trusted support. Complete our online form or call 800-726-6326 ext. 123 for a free consultation.
