Some workplace injuries aren’t just painful. They’re life-changing. Catastrophic injuries permanently alter the way you live, work, and interact with the world. In Queens, these injuries happen most often in construction, transportation, and heavy industry, and the workers who suffer them face challenges that go far beyond physical recovery.
At Bangel, Cohen & Falconetti, we represent Queens workers and their families after catastrophic workplace injuries. These cases demand thorough legal attention, and we take them seriously.
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic Under the Law
Not every serious injury is classified as catastrophic, but generally, the term applies to injuries that cause permanent disability, loss of a body part or function, or fundamentally change a worker’s ability to earn a living. In New York workers’ comp cases, catastrophic injuries often include:
- Traumatic brain injuries with lasting cognitive or physical effects
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis or permanent loss of function
- Amputations of limbs or digits
- Severe burns covering a significant portion of the body
- Loss of vision or hearing from a workplace event
- Multiple trauma injuries from a major accident
Types of Catastrophic Workplace Injuries in Queens
Queens construction sites, warehouses near the ports, industrial facilities, and transportation hubs all present environments where these injuries can occur. Common causes include falls from heights, explosions, crane or equipment accidents, vehicle collisions at work, and exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Workers at active development projects in Long Island City, Astoria, and Jamaica are among those most frequently exposed to these risks, often in environments where multiple contractors are working simultaneously, and safety oversight can fall through the cracks.
Under New York Labor Law § 240, contractors and property owners may face additional liability when a gravity-related accident on a construction site causes catastrophic injury.
The Financial Reality of a Life-Changing Injury
The costs associated with catastrophic injuries are enormous. Workers may need lifelong medical care, home modifications, specialized equipment, and ongoing attendant services. Lost earning capacity, rather than just temporarily lost wages, becomes the central financial issue.
Workers’ compensation provides a foundation of benefits. In catastrophic cases, however, those benefits may need to be supplemented through third-party personal injury claims if a negligent party other than your employer contributed to the accident.
How New York Law Handles Catastrophic Injury Claims
New York workers’ comp law provides for permanent total disability benefits when a worker is completely and permanently unable to work. It also allows for lump-sum settlements in some situations. If a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or property owner, contributed to your injury, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim alongside your workers’ comp claim.
Why These Cases Demand Aggressive Legal Representation
The stakes in catastrophic injury cases are too high to handle alone. Our Queens workers’ compensation lawyers work to identify every source of compensation available to you, document the full scope of your losses, and fight for the outcome you and your family need.
Call 718-446-4400 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with us today.
