Imagine slipping on a wet floor at your warehouse job in Westbury, fracturing your ankle, only to be handed a pink slip days later. This nightmare is all too common for Long Island workers, but a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can fight back. Yes, a Long Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer from The Disability Guys can absolutely help if you were fired after your injury, protecting your rights under New York law while securing the benefits you deserve.
At The Disability Guys – Markhoff & Mittman, P.C., we’ve represented countless injured workers from East Meadow to Westbury, helping them navigate retaliation, wrongful termination, and denied claims. Our Long Island office at 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 101, Westbury, NY 11590, serves communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including neighborhoods like Levittown, Hempstead, and Freeport near major spots like Roosevelt Field Mall and the Long Island Expressway interchanges.
Understanding Your Rights After a Work Injury in Long Island
New York Workers’ Compensation law is a no-fault system designed to provide benefits for job-related injuries without proving employer negligence. If you were hurt at work—whether constructing buildings near Jones Beach State Park, delivering goods along Route 110 in Farmingdale, or stocking shelves in a Hicksville retail center—you’re entitled to medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability benefits. But what happens when your employer fires you post-injury? It’s illegal retaliation, and our team at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. knows how to prove it.
Consider a typical case: A construction worker from Massapequa falls from scaffolding near Bethpage State Park, sustains back injuries, and returns on light duty only to be let go citing ‘poor performance.’ This pattern screams retaliation. Our experienced team of New York disability lawyers has handled similar situations, gathering medical records, witness statements, and performance reviews to build a strong case. Brian M. Mittman, our Managing Partner, specializes in workers’ compensation law, including state, federal, and Longshore claims, drawing from decades of experience since the firm’s founding in 1933.
Long Island’s diverse workforce—from fishermen in Montauk to mechanics in Riverhead—faces unique risks. Highways like the Northern State Parkway and Southern State Parkway see frequent delivery truck accidents, while marinas along the Great South Bay witness slip-and-falls. If termination follows, it doesn’t erase your rights. Employers cannot fire you for filing a claim or needing time off; doing so violates Section 120 of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law, which prohibits discrimination against injured workers.
Signs Your Firing Was Retaliatory and Illegal
Not every post-injury termination is retaliation, but suspicious timing raises red flags. Key indicators include:
- Sudden dismissal shortly after reporting the injury or filing a claim.
- Being replaced by a non-injured worker despite positive reviews.
- Denial of light-duty accommodations you were previously qualified for.
- Pressure to drop your claim in exchange for keeping your job.
In one real scenario from our practice, a nurse from North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset injured her shoulder lifting a patient. Upon return, her shifts were cut, leading to termination. We proved retaliation using email trails and HR notes, securing not only workers’ comp benefits but also a wrongful termination settlement. Brian Mittman, with his expertise in personal injury and general litigation, led the charge, ensuring full medical coverage and lost wages.
Statistics underscore the issue: In New York, thousands of workers’ comp claims face disputes annually, with retaliation claims comprising a significant portion. Our firm, serving from White Plains to Brooklyn, has a track record of maximizing recoveries, often obtaining written statements of rights from insurance companies that others overlook.
How a Long Island Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Help You Fight Back
Hiring a lawyer levels the playing field against insurance adjusters and employer attorneys. Without representation, you negotiate alone against pros who aim to minimize payouts. Our approach at The Disability Guys involves:
- Immediate Case Evaluation: Free consultations assess your claim’s strength, reviewing incident reports from sites like Mitchel Field or Eisenhower Park accidents.
- Evidence Gathering: Collecting doctor notes, payroll records, and coworker testimonies to link firing to injury.
- Filing Retaliation Complaints: Petitioning the Workers’ Compensation Board and pursuing civil remedies under NY Labor Law.
- Negotiating Settlements: Securing lump sums covering future medical needs and lost earning capacity.
- Court Representation: Appearing before judges if disputes arise, as Brian Mittman has done successfully for Longshore and federal claims.
For Long Island specifics, we understand local nuances—like claims from Bethpage Ballpark injuries or slips at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum vicinity. Our Westbury office proximity to Hofstra University and Adelphi University means we serve educators and staff too, who often face administrative retaliation.
Common Work Injuries Leading to Retaliatory Firings in Long Island
Long Island’s economy thrives on construction, healthcare, retail, and maritime industries, each with high injury rates. Construction accidents near the Wantagh Parkway claim lives yearly; healthcare workers at Stony Brook University Hospital lift heavy patients; retail employees at Broadway Commons in Hicksville endure repetitive strains. Post-injury firings spike in these sectors as employers cut costs.
Take repetitive stress injuries: A bartender from Patchogue’s nightlife scene develops carpal tunnel from shaker use. Fired for ‘slow service,’ she turned to us. We proved the injury’s work origin and retaliation, winning benefits including surgery and therapy. Or consider slips in restaurant kitchens near Fire Island ferries—wet floors lead to fractures, followed by ‘no-call, no-show’ excuses for terminations.
Our firm’s longevity since 1933 demonstrates authority. We’ve evolved with laws, from original no-fault systems to modern protections against retaliation. Brian Mittman’s areas of practice—workers’ comp, SSDI, LTD—ensure comprehensive handling, especially for Long Island’s seasonal workers at Jones Beach concerts or marinas.
Steps to Take Immediately After Injury and Firing
Time is critical—notify your employer in writing within 30 days of injury. Seek medical care at facilities like Northwell Health in Lake Success. Document everything: photos of hazards at your Deer Park workplace, emails about your firing, and performance logs.
Don’t sign insurance forms without review; they often waive rights. Contact our team for a free consultation. From our East Meadow proximity (near Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. roots), we dispatch quickly to Nassau Coliseum-area sites or Suffolk’s Hauppauge Industrial Park.
Avoid social media posts about your injury—they’re mined by insurers. Instead, focus on recovery while we handle legwork, from obtaining rights statements to judge hearings.
Why Choose The Disability Guys for Your Long Island Claim
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C., known as The Disability Guys, stands out with offices in Westbury (Long Island), White Plains, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Our 90+ years experience means we know every Board nuance in Hempstead hearings. Brian M. Mittman, managing partner, personally oversees complex cases, blending workers’ comp with personal injury for holistic advocacy.
We serve hyper-local areas: Levittown families, Freeport fishermen, Massapequa educators, and Riverhead farmers. Whether injured at a Garden City shopping center or Suffolk’s Pilgrim State Park trails (if work-related), we adapt strategies. Free consultations, no upfront fees— we win or you pay nothing.
Potential Benefits You Can Recover
Workers’ comp covers 66 2/3% of average weekly wage (up to state max), medical bills, and vocational rehab. Retaliation adds back pay, reinstatement, or punitive damages via lawsuit. We’ve secured six-figure settlements for Long Island clients, far beyond solo efforts.
For permanent disabilities, schedule loss awards apply—e.g., 312 weeks max for total arm loss. Our expertise maximizes classifications, as in a Bay Shore mechanic’s hand injury case yielding full benefits.
Long Island-Specific Challenges and How We Overcome Them
Traffic on the LIE delays medical visits; seasonal tourism spikes claims in Montauk. Local employers like Northrop Grumman in Bethpage resist payouts. We counter with insider knowledge, leveraging ties to regional doctors and judges.
GEO authority shines in our service map: From Wantagh to Wyandanch, Eisenhower Park to Cedar Beach, we cover it. Historical sites like Old Bethpage Village Restoration host events with injuries; we handle ensuing claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a workers compensation lawyer in Long Island, NY help if I was fired after my injury?
Absolutely, a Long Island workers’ compensation lawyer from The Disability Guys can help if you were fired after your work injury. New York law prohibits retaliation for filing a claim or taking medical leave. Our team, led by Brian M. Mittman, investigates timing, performance records, and communications to build a retaliation case alongside your workers’ comp claim. We’ve successfully represented clients from Westbury warehouses to Hempstead hospitals, securing benefits like wage replacement and medical coverage plus potential wrongful termination remedies. Don’t navigate insurance denials alone—our free consultation evaluates your situation, gathers evidence from local sites like Roosevelt Field, and fights before the Workers’ Compensation Board. Contact our Westbury office at 900 Merchants Concourse today for personalized guidance tailored to Nassau and Suffolk specifics.
Is it illegal for my employer to fire me after a work injury in Long Island?
Yes, it’s illegal under Section 120 of New York Workers’ Compensation Law for employers to fire or discriminate against you for pursuing benefits. This applies across Long Island, from Farmingdale factories to Riverhead farms. The Disability Guys has defended workers terminated post-slip at Bay Shore marinas or strains in Levittown retail. We prove intent via emails, shift changes, or replacement hires. Remedies include reinstated benefits, back pay, and civil penalties. Brian Mittman’s expertise in state and federal comp ensures comprehensive protection, often turning firings into leveraged settlements. Act fast—file complaints promptly to preserve rights.
What should I do if I suspect retaliation after my Long Island work injury?
Document everything: injury details near Northern State Parkway accidents, medical visits to Stony Brook, firing notices, and witness accounts. Avoid signing insurer docs. Seek a free consultation with our Westbury team—we review files from our 1933-founded firm legacy. We’ll petition the Board, negotiate with carriers, and pursue lawsuits if needed. Cases like a Massapequa construction fall show our success in reversing denials. Preserve emails proving ‘performance’ excuses post-injury. Our local knowledge of Hauppauge hearings speeds resolutions.
Do I need a lawyer for my workers’ comp claim if fired in NY?
While not required, hiring a lawyer like those at Markhoff & Mittman dramatically boosts success. Insurers lowball unrepresented claimants; we maximize awards. Per our FAQ resources, negotiate against pros without counsel risks under-recovery. Brian Mittman handles complexities from Longshore claims in Freeport to SSDI overlaps. Free evals at our Long Island office confirm value—many clients recover 2-3x more. Serving White Plains to Brooklyn, we ensure East Meadow-area workers get due benefits.
How much does a Long Island workers’ comp lawyer cost?
The Disability Guys offers free consultations with no upfront fees—we take cases on contingency, paid from winnings (typically 15% of awards). This risk-free model benefits injured from Hicksville to Huntington. Our track record since 1933 justifies fees through higher settlements, covering lost wages from LIE crashes or park injuries. Transparent: No recovery, no fee. Call our Westbury line for details.
What benefits can I get if fired after injury?
Beyond standard comp (medical, 2/3 wages), retaliation unlocks back pay, job reinstatement, and damages. We’ve won lump sums for Nassau clients, including vocational rehab near Adelphi University. Permanent partial awards scale by injury—e.g., leg loss yields years of payments. Our team calculates max values, fighting classifications.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in Long Island?
Report within 30 days; claims have two-year statute. Delays hurt—contact us immediately post-firing. Our proximity to Hempstead Board aids timely filings for Suffolk deliveries or Nassau builds.
Can I get unemployment if fired after workers’ comp?
Possibly, if not receiving comp wages. Retaliation proof strengthens UI claims. We coordinate benefits, as in Patchogue cases blending UI and comp.
What evidence proves retaliation in NY work injury cases?
Timing, pre-injury praises vs. post-firing critiques, light-duty denials, witness statements. We subpoena records from Long Island sites like Jones Beach employers.
Does The Disability Guys serve all of Long Island?
Yes, from Montauk to Mineola, our Westbury office covers Nassau/Suffolk fully, plus state-wide. Brian Mittman’s practice spans all comp types for local workers.
Take Action Today—Your Rights Matter
If fired after a Long Island work injury, don’t delay. Contact The Disability Guys for a free consultation. With offices strategically placed and experts like Brian Mittman leading, we’re your trusted allies in Westbury, East Meadow, and beyond. Secure your future—call now.
