Sunday, November 25, 2012

The changing perspective of Workers' Comp.

In the few years since the advent of Governor Spitzers' changes to the New York Workers' Compensation Law; the name of the game, is no longer get hurt and receive benefits for life. The ever present reality is that injured workers should receive medical benefits and lost wages to compensate for the injury and move on with their lives. This is no more evident then the desire on all sides of the issue to settle claims in the form of wisc settlements or global sec 32 agreements finishing off entire claims. Compensation was never intended to be a life long indemnity payment. Now, movement to claim value as soon as medically practicable or possible is the goal of all responsible parties.

As  stated throughout these blogs, assistance from a workers compensation representative permits more advantageous results from a system designed to respond more quickly to participants who know what is required. Proliferation of form requirements and short statutory time periods have become the rule.  Failure to meet same can doom a claim or produce an unfavorable result. Form has taken precedence over substance. In such a world,  you are best off with representation from an individual, practised in the field.

See associated disclaimer provided throughout this blog.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Forest for the trees, did we miss anything?

Along the way of this blog, I have been commenting upon fairly complex New York State Workers' Compensation issues and may have just missed a basic understanding. To pursue a Workers' Compensation case to a favorable result; requires that the incident happens or occurs as a result of the work experience. This means not that you discovered the condition while at work or that a condition prevents you from working, but that the specific condition must have occurred and developed out of the work environment and is a consequence of that event, in other words the condition must be related to and develop from the work experience itself. There are many fact situations that will permit connections over time but the connections themselves must exist before you can attempt to obtain causally related befits. You should ask yourself a basic question. Why should my employer be responsible for my treatment and lost time. Unrelated sick time or vacation time although paid by your employer pursuant to an agreement of sorts does not by itself require the Employer to be responsible under the WCL. If you can reasonable show the relation as a cause  not a temporal appearance at work; you should consider it compensation and seek representation to investigate and pursue you rights under the New York State Workers' Compensation Law.

As repetitively stated, these blogs are informational and limited in scope. A true attorney client contact should be made to better understand your rights in a specific incidence. Please see our disclaimer through these blogs.

Eliot Levine

Eliot Levine and Associates
1455 Veterans Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11749
631-234-5484
e.levine@redsail2.com
fas 631-234-5561

Friday, November 2, 2012

Hurricane Sandy update Friday 11/2/2012

As most of Long Island knows first hand, Hurricane Sandy has left long lines at the gas pump, loss of power and closing of many businesses. As a result, the Long Island Hearing Points for Workers' Compensation and the Social Security Office for Hearings and Appeals in Jericho, aka ODAR has been closed throughout the week of 10/29/2012. As a service to my present clients , I have attached a cell phone to my business account to receive office calls at 631-234-5484. Since our office fax and internet is not working, you can still reach us as stated and we will be picking up our internet off site where and when the internet is available. I for one have been out of my house since we have been without power since Monday the 29th of Oct. Our office is open and active for walk in and appointments. Please continue to seek medical care from your health providers. We will follow up with them as time and electronics permit. We wish to offer everyone our continued concern and will assist where and when able. This might be a good time to read our blog in its entirety for general information. If you need assistance please contact us as stated.