According to a recent report from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, sanitation workers in the state are 10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than workers in any other industry. Those involved in this type of work are also 2 ½ times more likely to be seriously injured on the job.
Types Of Danger
Due to the very nature of their job, sanitation workers are frequently exposed to:
- Sharp Objects
- Toxic Substances
- Traffic
- Poor Weather Conditions
- Defective Garbage Trucks and Other Heavy Machinery
- Improperly Disposed Of Objects
This can lead to any number of injuries, although the most common include muscle strain, broken bones, herniated discs, lacerations, nerve damage, poisoning, amputations, blunt force trauma, and amputations. In many cases, these injuries are career ending and leave the injured worker financially strained.
Sanitation Workers & Workers’ Compensation
Despite being employed in one of the most dangerous industries in the state, sanitation workers are one of the few groups who are not allowed to file for workers’ compensation after an injury. Instead, a claim must be made to the New York City Comptroller against the state. Then, if they are lucky, they may have a portion of their medical expenses covered.
Consulting An Attorney
In the majority of cases, sanitation workers find that their best option is to pursue a personal injury claim against the party whose negligence resulted in their injury. This may mean that they file a complaint against the state or city, or that they may name a third-party such as the driver of a car as the defendant.
By choosing to pursue a lawsuit, the plaintiff may be able to recover the full cost of medical expenses and medical expenses, as well as non-monetary compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Were you injured while working in sanitation or was your loved one killed on the job?
Contact us at one of our offices:
White Plains
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
120 Bloomingdale Rd #401
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1452
Brooklyn
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
186 Joralemon St. #701a
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-509-3599
Long Island
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1778 Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554
516-267-6873
NYC
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1825 Park Ave #901
New York, NY 10035
212-897-9004
