What are the legal rights of municipal employees injured on the job?
A horrific subway accident resulted in the death of one employee and serious injuries to another. The two workers were in a tunnel between the Fort Hamilton Parkway and Church Avenue. Their task was to set up the track area for overnight repairs, when suddenly a G train traveled around the curve and pinned both employees. A 53-year-old Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) worker was struck and killed, while a second worker sustained serious injuries. A third employee managed to avoid the train. MTA is now mourning the loss of two valued employees. The New York City Transit is currently investigating the incident and all non-emergency work is paused while the agency reviews safety standards.
Municipal Workers Injured on the Job
Many state and municipal workers in New York perform essential jobs that put them at risk of workplace injuries. Firefighters and police officers face considerable injuries due to violence and accidents each day they are on the job. Highway, subway, and other transportation-related municipal employees may be struck by vehicles, heavy equipment, and other hazards.
If you or a loved one is injured as an employee of the MTA, New York City, the Port Authority, or an employee of the county or school district, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits just like employee’s in the private sector. Injured municipal employees may be able to obtain coverage for their medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages.
Municipal employees could face some challenges in obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation claims are routinely denied or minimized, and union rules can impact claims. Any municipal employee injured in an accident should contact a New York City municipal liability attorney. With the help of your attorney, you can seek the maximum coverage to which you are entitled. It is important that you act quickly after the accident because there are stringent time limits that you must adhere to or you risk losing your right to workers’ compensation benefits.