New York Construction Accident Statistics
Our New York orthopedic injury lawyers at Gorayeb & Associates are committed to protecting your rights. If you’ve suffered an orthopedic injury in a workplace accident, you deserve a legal process that delivers real justice—not just paperwork and delays.
These types of injuries can seriously affect your ability to work and your overall quality of life. When the cause is preventable—such as a lack of safety equipment or inadequate training—it’s only fair that you receive proper compensation for what you've endured.
In fact, orthopedic injuries are more common than many people realize. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), musculoskeletal injuries account for nearly 30% of all workplace injuries that result in days away from work in the U.S.
And the consequences are not just physical—they’re financial too. Only in 2022, the total cost of workplace injuries nationwide exceeded $167 billion, factoring in medical expenses and lost productivity.
Despite these staggering numbers, many injured workers believe that Workers’ Compensation is their only option. While it is one path to recovery, there may be other legal options—such as filing a lawsuit against a third party whose negligence contributed to the injury.
But uncovering these opportunities and holding the right people accountable takes experience and legal insight.
That’s where Gorayeb & Associates comes in. With over 35 years of experience representing injured workers across New York, we know how to challenge insurance companies and large corporations to get you the compensation you truly deserve.
From collecting critical evidence to representing you through every stage of the legal process, our team is with you every step of the way—regardless of your immigration status. We proudly offer services in Spanish to ensure every client feels understood and supported.
Don’t wait. Take action today, and let The People’s Lawyers fight for your rights.
What Do Orthopedic Injury Attorneys in New York Handle?
Orthopedic injuries involve the musculoskeletal system: bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. These injuries can dramatically reduce mobility and often lead to chronic pain and long-term disability.
In high-density regions like New York City, victims of such injuries rely heavily on specialized legal guidance to navigate their recovery and compensation, turning to orthopedic injury attorneys in New York and experienced NYC orthopedic accident lawyers.
Occupational Risks and Consequences
In the workplace, orthopedic injuries are alarmingly common across a broad range of professions. While traditionally associated with physically demanding jobs like construction, they are also prevalent in less obvious settings like offices or warehouses.
A 2022 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for nearly 30% of all workplace injuries nationwide, with similar trends in New York State BLS, 2022. Key contributors to these injuries include:
- Excessive physical strain: Improper lifting or carrying techniques often result in herniated discs, sprains, or even fractures.
- Repetitive motion: Office workers and assembly line employees are vulnerable to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and epicondylitis.
- Poor posture: Prolonged sitting without ergonomic support leads to spinal injuries, chronic lower back pain, and neck strain.
- Falls and impacts: Common in both industrial and retail settings, these accidents often result in joint dislocations, broken bones, or muscle tears.
- Unsafe working conditions: Factors like cluttered spaces, poor lighting, or non-ergonomic equipment significantly heighten injury risk.
Such conditions not only cause physical suffering but also carry serious financial implications, including steep medical costs and long-term loss of income.
For these reasons, victims often consult a Manhattan orthopedic injury attorney or the best orthopedic injury lawyers in New York to secure rightful compensation.
Common work-related orthopedic injuries
The most frequently reported orthopedic conditions among injured workers include:
- Bone fractures and joint sprains
- Tendinitis and tenosynovitis
- Herniated discs and lower back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
These injuries may require extended rehabilitation and, in some cases, surgery. Recovery time can range from weeks to years, during which the victim may be unable to perform daily activities or work-related tasks.
Legal support for orthopedic injury victims
Navigating the complexities of workers’ compensation, personal injury claims, or even malpractice lawsuits requires expert legal help.
A New York orthopedic malpractice lawyer can investigate whether an injury worsened due to medical negligence, such as a misdiagnosis or failed surgery.
In boroughs like Brooklyn, injured workers often seek the support of Brooklyn orthopedic injury lawyers to represent them in claims involving unsafe labor conditions or employer negligence.
For specific cases involving broken bones or joint injuries, a qualified orthopedic personal injury lawyer is essential in determining liability, filing claims, and negotiating settlements.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Whether you're seeking justice after a surgery gone wrong or compensation after a construction site injury, legal experts in this field ensure victims are not left to face mounting medical bills and lost wages alone.
A skilled New York lawyer for broken bones and joint injuries understands the interplay between medical documentation, occupational safety law, and workers' rights.
What Do Orthopedic Injury Attorneys in New York Do?
Orthopedic injury attorneys in New York play a vital role in advocating for individuals who suffer serious musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in high-risk work environments such as construction, manufacturing, or transportation.
These legal professionals specialize in navigating the complex interplay between personal injury law, workers’ compensation regulations, and third-party liability, offering expert guidance to injured individuals seeking justice and compensation.
Orthopedic injuries refer to damage involving the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles—all crucial for mobility and overall function. These injuries can range from fractures and dislocations to torn ligaments or chronic back conditions, many of which may result in long-term disabilities or permanent loss of earning capacity.
According to the World Health Organization, musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide and require specialized medical and legal attention due to their impact on quality of life and work productivity.
Legal Advocacy for Orthopedic Work Injuries
Orthopedic injury lawyers in NYC help injured workers file workers’ compensation claims and investigate whether additional claims can be filed against third parties—such as subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or negligent property owners.
For instance, under New York Labor Law §§ 240 and 241, construction workers who fall from scaffolds or ladders may have the right to sue responsible third parties beyond workers’ comp benefits.
These attorneys handle every stage of the legal process:
- Collecting and preserving medical records, accident reports, and witness statements
- Coordinating with orthopedic specialists to document the full extent of the injury
- Negotiating with insurers who often attempt to undervalue claims
- Litigating in court when fair settlements aren’t offered
Gorayeb & Associates, The People’s Lawyers, provide tailored legal strategies for clients with bone and joint injuries. Their focus is on ensuring that each client's physical, emotional, and financial hardships are fully recognized in the claim.
Importance of Early Legal Intervention
Victims should reach out to an orthopedic personal injury lawyer in New York immediately after an incident, especially in situations involving:
- Unsafe work environments
- Faulty tools or machinery
- Poorly maintained workspaces
- Pressured settlements from insurers
Early legal counsel helps preserve critical evidence and ensures compliance with strict statutes of limitations. In New York, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years, while workers' compensation claims typically require reporting within 30 days of the incident.
Undocumented Workers and Legal Rights
A common misconception is that immigration status limits legal recourse, but New York courts have repeatedly affirmed that undocumented immigrants are entitled to workplace protections, including the right to file injury claims.
Legal precedent from the New York Court of Appeals (Balbuena v. IDR Realty LLC, 2006) confirms that undocumented workers may pursue damages for lost wages and injuries resulting from workplace negligence.
Types of Compensation Available
In New York, most employers are legally required to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. This system operates under a no-fault principle, meaning that injured workers can file a claim without having to prove who was responsible for the accident.
If you’ve suffered an orthopedic injury on the job, you generally have two main—non-exclusive—paths to seek fair compensation:
- Workers’ Compensation
- Personal Injury Claim
By accepting Workers’ Compensation, an employee waives the right to sue their employer, since the employer has already contributed to the compensation system. However, if a third party is responsible for the accident, the injured worker may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against that party.
Workers' compensation benefits typically include:
- Coverage for medical expenses
- Partial wage replacement
- Compensation for permanent disability
- Death benefits for surviving family members
Despite being a legal right, injured workers—especially those with orthopedic injuries—often face challenges when pursuing compensation. For instance, they may be limited to choosing from a list of pre-approved doctors, rather than selecting their own healthcare provider.
Without guidance from experienced orthopedic injury attorneys in New York, workers may also struggle to fight back against common employer or insurer defenses—such as questioning whether the injury really required treatment, or claiming it was a pre-existing condition.
When filing a personal injury claim, NYC orthopedic accident lawyers and New York orthopedic malpractice lawyers will typically seek compensation under three categories of damages:
1. Economic damages
These cover all medical costs and other expenses directly tied to the injury. Compensation is calculated based on paid bills and anticipated future costs.
2. Non-economic damages
These account for the pain, suffering, and emotional impact of the injury. This category is more subjective and is often calculated in relation to the economic damages, depending on the severity of the injury.
3. Punitive damages
These are additional damages awarded in cases where the at-fault party acted with gross negligence, recklessness, or malice. Punitive damages can only be granted by a judge or jury if the case goes to trial.
If you’ve suffered broken bones or joint damage in an accident, working with a New York lawyer for broken bones and joint injuries or a Manhattan orthopedic injury attorney can make a significant difference in securing the full compensation you deserve.
The best orthopedic injury lawyers in New York understand how to navigate both the workers’ compensation system and the personal injury process to protect your rights.
Whether you’re in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or anywhere else in the state, don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated Brooklyn orthopedic injury lawyer or an experienced orthopedic personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
Costs of Hiring a Lawyer
Law firms like Gorayeb & Associates operate under a contingency fee structure—clients pay no upfront legal fees.
Instead, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovered settlement or court award, incentivizing the lawyer to maximize compensation and reduce financial barriers for injured clients.
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