What Every Worker Should Know About Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can leave you facing more than just physical pain. It can create financial strain, emotional stress, and uncertainty about your future. Many employees are unsure of what steps to take or what compensation they may be entitled to after an accident. Knowing your rights and the options available to you is the first step toward protecting your health, income, and long-term security.

Common Types of Workplace Accidents

No workplace is immune to accidents. Some injuries are sudden and severe, while others develop gradually over time. Below are the most common types of job-related accidents our clients face.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall injuries are among the most frequent and can happen in nearly any environment. Wet floors, cluttered hallways, poor lighting, and uneven surfaces often contribute to the issue. These incidents can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, or head trauma, leaving employees unable to work for weeks or even months. Employers must take proactive steps to maintain safe conditions at all times to protect their employees.

Vehicle Accidents on the Job

For employees who spend time on the road, such as delivery drivers or service technicians, vehicle accidents are a daily risk. A collision while driving a company vehicle is usually covered under workers’ compensation, but that is only part of the picture. If another driver or even a manufacturer’s defect played a role, you may also have grounds for a third-party claim (a personal injury lawsuit filed by a worker against someone other than their employer) to recover additional damages.

Repetitive Stress and Overuse Injuries

Not every injury is sudden. Repetitive motions such as typing, lifting, bending, or twisting can cause gradual damage over time. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or chronic back pain can leave employees just as disabled as a broken bone. These injuries often require significant medical treatment and can permanently limit your ability to perform your job.

Fires and Explosions

Although less common, fires and explosions are often catastrophic. Faulty wiring, unsafe chemical storage, and a lack of safety training can turn routine work into a life-threatening situation. Survivors often face severe burns, respiratory damage, or permanent disability. These cases may involve not only workers’ compensation but also liability of an outside party, such as a contractor or manufacturer, if, for example, their negligence contributed to the hazard.

The Scope of Workplace Accidents

Understanding the scope of on-the-job injury underscores why legal protection matters. According to OSHA, 5,283 workers died on the job in 2023, which is approximately 3.5 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers. In addition, private employers reported roughly 2.6 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses that same year. These numbers demonstrate how often workplace accidents occur, ranging from construction sites to corporate offices.

Because injuries are so common, laws such as workers’ compensation exist to provide a baseline level of protection. But in practice, that protection often falls short of covering the full cost of an injury. That’s where third-party claims and legal representation come in.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims

In New York, you generally cannot file a lawsuit directly against your employer after an on-the-job injury. Instead, your damages are handled through the workers’ compensation system. This system is designed to provide medical treatment, wage replacement, and certain rehabilitation benefits regardless of who was at fault. While workers’ compensation ensures that injured employees receive some support quickly, it comes with limits. Reimbursement for pain, suffering, emotional distress, or long-term loss of quality of life is not included.

Due to these restrictions, many injured workers find that workplace insurance alone does not fully reimburse victims for the impact of a serious workplace accident. That’s why it’s important to understand when an outside claim may be available to recover the damages that workers’ comp does not address.

When Third-Party Claims Apply

In some cases, another party besides your employer may be responsible. If faulty machinery caused the accident, the manufacturer could be liable. If a distracted driver hits your work vehicle, you can sue them directly. These third-party claims allow you to recover damages not available under workers’ comp, such as:

• pain and suffering

• emotional distress

• disfigurement or disability

• reduction in quality of life

By combining workers’ compensation benefits with an outside claim, your attorney may be able to secure a much more comprehensive recovery.

Matera & Manley, LLP, Fights for Victims of Workplace Accidents

Navigating both workers’ compensation and third-party claims is complex. Having a law firm on your side changes the balance. With decades of combined experience, including backgrounds as prosecutors, our team at Matera & Manley, LLP, knows how to hold powerful defendants accountable.

If you’ve been hurt in a job-related accident, we are here to support you and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and let us help you pursue full justice for your injuries.