Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Psychiatric hospitals can be challenging work environments filled with many risks and hazards, from violent patients to infectious diseases. If you work in a psychiatric hospital in New York City and have suffered an injury, illness, or assault on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
The experienced attorneys at Shulman & Hill are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve after a workplace accident. With conveniently located offices in all five boroughs and Long Island, we have a proven track record of helping injured psychiatric hospital staff in public and private hospitals secure the benefits they are entitled to.
Our psychiatric hospital workers’ compensation lawyers offer compassionate, personalized representation and are committed to guiding you through the complex claims process while you focus on your recovery. Contact us online or call (212) 221-1000 to schedule a free consultation.
Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Are Here To Help New York’s Psychiatric Healthcare Workers
Shulman & Hill has extensive experience representing psychiatric hospital staff injured at work. Our skilled legal team understands the unique risks health care workers face and the complexities of proving psychiatric hospital workers’ compensation claims. Beyond our commitment to excellent client service, our legal team has a proven track record of success:
- Decades of combined legal experience.
- Multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements.
- Recognition as Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, and Rising Stars.
Our multilingual team can provide compassionate legal counsel in your preferred language, allowing us to effectively serve injured hospital workers throughout New York City’s diverse communities. We handle both personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims, so you can get a full range of high-quality legal services in one location.
At our top-tier law firm, every client matters. Our unwavering commitment to personalized service has earned us a reputation as a “law firm with heart.” We will walk you through every step of the workers’ compensation process, helping you get back on your feet after a psychiatric hospital injury. We are standing by to answer your questions and ensure you know your full legal rights.
Our Psychiatric Hospital Workers’ Compensation Case Results
To give you an idea of the results our psychiatric hospital workers’ compensation lawyers can achieve for our clients:
$136,000
was obtained for a Psych therapy aide who fell while trying to retrain a combative patient who suffered multiple injuries in New York County.
Alongside our glowing client testimonials, these results demonstrate our firm’s proven ability to maximize compensation for psychiatric hospital professionals when they are hurt on the job.
How Our Psychiatric Hospital Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help
After a workplace injury, you may be unsure of your rights, worried about mounting medical bills, and overwhelmed by the bureaucracy of the workers’ compensation system. Our experienced lawyers can provide invaluable help:
- Free Consultation – We’ll help you understand your rights at no cost to you during your free case review. You won’t owe us a dime until we’ve won your case.
- Investigating and Filing Your Claim – We will gather evidence to prove the severity and cause of your injuries. This includes interviewing witnesses, reviewing medical records, inspecting the accident scene, and more. We will also help you file your claim and gather the proper documentation.
- Calculating the Value of Your Case – Calculating the compensation you are entitled to can be complex. We will handle this crucial detail, leaving no stone unturned to determine every dollar you are entitled to.
- Identifying All Liable Parties – In the event of a lawsuit, we will identify every liable party and pursue compensation from each.
- Aggressively Representing You – We will advocate fiercely on your behalf—in communications with insurers, Workers’ Compensation Board proceedings, and court if necessary.
Proving Your Psychiatric Hospital Workers’ Compensation Claim
While workers’ compensation claims are often more straightforward than personal injury lawsuits, you still must prove your right to recover compensation. Key elements include the following:
- You Were Injured at Work – We will show that your injury occurred at work and was related to your job duties (e.g., you were assaulted by a patient, contracted an illness, slipped and fell, or were injured caring for patients).
- Medical Diagnosis – We will obtain medical records from your physicians to substantiate your claim.
- Lost Wages – If you lost income due to your injuries, we can prove that you are entitled to wage replacement benefits using pay stubs, work schedules, and other documentation.
- Medical Expenses – We can use medical billing records to prove the workers’ compensation healthcare benefits you are entitled to.
- Disability – If your injury results in long-term harm, we can evaluate your medical records and retain experts to prove your disability.
The Growing Problem of Occupational Violence: What Psychiatric Healthcare Workers Face
Psychiatric hospitals can be challenging work environments, with employees (techs, aides, doctors, and others) routinely facing serious occupational hazards, including:
- Patient Violence – The most common cause of injuries among psychiatric hospital staff is assaults. Patients struggling with mental illnesses can pose an ongoing threat of violence.
- Infectious Diseases – Working closely with vulnerable populations exposes psychiatric staff to potential infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis, COVID-19, and tuberculosis). Accidental needlesticks are particularly hazardous.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls – Spills, cluttered hallways, dangerous stairwells, and other hazards can endanger hospital employees.
- Strenuous Labor – Lifting patients, prolonged standing, and repetitive motions during patient care can lead to injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, tears, and arthritis).
- Hazardous Chemicals – Toxic cleaners, sterilizers, and other hazardous materials can harm workers if mishandled.
Psychiatric Healthcare in New York
The State Department of Health oversees 40 hospitals with psychiatric beds across New York City and Long Island. This includes 11 public hospitals operated by NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal hospital system in the United States. Major private hospital systems like NYU Langone and Mount Sinai also employ thousands of psychiatric hospital staff.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychiatric aides and technicians suffer extremely high rates of workplace violence compared to other occupations. Astonishingly, the rate of violence-related injuries for psychiatric aides is 69 times higher than the national average. Hospitals have a duty to protect their employees against these threats, but accidents still happen regularly.
Shulman & Hill is here to help you through the workers’ compensation claims process. Whether you’re a psychiatrist, technician, aide, janitor, or administrator, we know you play an essential part in keeping our communities safe and healthy. We are here to fight for the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
What To Do if You’re a Psychiatric Healthcare Worker Injured in a Workplace Accident
If you are a psychiatric health care worker and suffered a workplace injury, follow these basic steps:
- Report the Incident – Whoever is “in charge” needs to know what happened. Give your employer written notice of your injury within 30 days to avoid compromising your claim.
- Document Everything – Thorough documentation will make it much easier to substantiate your claim.
- Seek Approved Medical Care – Your health and safety come first. Make sure you see a doctor authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board.
- Speak to an Attorney – Our psychiatric hospital workers’ compensation lawyers can help you understand your rights and navigate your claim.
Recovering Workers’ Compensation for Psychiatric Hospital Hospital Workers
If you are injured while working at a psychiatric hospital, workers’ compensation provides various benefits, including:
- Medical Costs – Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injury, such as doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, and surgery.
- Lost Wages – If you miss work due to your injury, you are entitled to a portion of your lost wages, subject to a weekly maximum.
- Disability – Your degree of disability (temporary total, temporary partial, permanent total, permanent partial) will factor into your lost wage benefits.
- Vocational Rehabilitation – If you can’t return to work in your previous capacity, you may qualify for job retraining and placement services.
- Survivor Benefits – If a workplace injury is fatal, surviving spouses and dependents can apply for survivor benefits, including weekly cash payments and funeral expenses.
Remember, each case is unique, and your workers’ compensation depends heavily on your specific circumstances. Our skilled attorneys can help you determine how much compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Differences Between Public and Private Psychiatric Workers’ Compensation Cases
Public psychiatric workers’ compensation cases can be tricky. New York State provides workers’ compensation through the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF). By contrast, New York City is self-insured by the city.
Though private and public sector employers both provide benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses, the processes for filing claims and receiving benefits vary significantly. Our psychiatric hospital workers’ compensation lawyers can help you navigate both systems.
Rely on the Experienced Workers’ Compensation Team at Shulman & Hill if You’re a Psychiatric Hospital Worker
At Shulman & Hill, our experienced New York workers’ compensation lawyers proudly help injured psychiatric hospital employees secure the full and fair compensation they are entitled to. We understand that these workers play a challenging yet essential role in caring for our community, often putting their own health and safety at risk. If you are hurt on the job, let us handle your workers’ compensation claim while you focus on healing.
With conveniently located offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Long Island, our attorneys are ready to help psychiatric hospital professionals throughout the city and beyond. Contact us online or call (212) 221-1000 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Further Reading
- Shulman & Hill – Accident and Injury Law Blog
- Can You Lose Your Job While on Workers’ Compensation?
- How Long Does Workers’ Comp Last in New York?
