Have you started noticing work-related pain or other symptoms that you believe might have developed over time? Repetitive stress injuries and occupational diseases can make it difficult to keep working and even harder to deal with insurance paperwork or medical disputes. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with the stress of a workers’ compensation claim on your own.
The Orchard Park workers’ compensation lawyers at Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, are here to explain your rights, file the right claims, and get the financial support you need for your recovery. Our team knows how to prove complex injury and illness cases under New York law. We can guide you through every step of the claims process and work hard to secure full benefits on your behalf.
Contact our law firm today for an initial consultation to discuss your situation and get the answers you need.
At Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, we stand up for hurt and sick workers in Orchard Park and across Western New York. Our attorneys understand how difficult it is to recover from a workplace injury or illness, especially when you’re also dealing with missed paychecks and pressure from insurance companies. Our law firm’s goal is to make the process easier for you by handling every step of your workers’ compensation claim, from filing paperwork to fighting claim denials.
We focus on getting you the full medical and wage benefits you are due under New York law. We work closely with your doctors to document your injury or illness, gather strong evidence, and ensure your treatment follows state guidelines. Whether your condition developed over time or resulted from a specific incident, we’re here to make sure your claim gets the attention it deserves.
We know the local workforce and the types of work conditions that affect employees in Orchard Park. When you work with our law firm, you receive passionate representation from attorneys who genuinely care about your recovery, your job, and your future.
Repetitive stress injuries are injuries that develop over time from performing the same motions again and again. These injuries affect soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and nerves. They can cause pain, weakness, or limited movement. Common examples of repetitive stress injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis. Orchard Park workers can develop these injuries while typing, lifting, or using tools on the job. Even light-duty tasks can cause damage when repeated frequently over time.
An occupational disease is an illness or condition directly related to your job duties or work environment. These diseases often result from long-term exposure to harmful substances or repeated stress. Examples include lung disease from inhaling dust or chemicals, hearing loss from loud machinery, or dermatitis caused by cleaning products. Unlike a sudden accidental injury, an occupational disease develops slowly, which can make it harder to prove how it’s linked to your job. Under New York law, workers in Orchard Park have the right to seek benefits for conditions that they discover are work-related.
New York law gives nearly every employee in Orchard Park the right to obtain workers’ compensation benefits after a job-related injury or illness. This coverage applies whether the injury happens suddenly or develops over time. If your condition is related to repetitive strain or long-term exposure, you still qualify for benefits as long as you can show that your job caused or worsened your health issue.
You have the right to file a claim, receive medical treatment from an authorized provider, and recover a portion of your lost wages through workers’ compensation insurance. You also have the right to appeal if an insurance company denies your claim.
If you develop a repetitive stress injury or an occupational disease while working in Orchard Park, you have the right to receive medical care at no cost to you. The law requires your employer’s insurance to pay for authorized treatment, including doctor visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, and necessary medical devices. You also have the right to choose a doctor authorized by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board to treat injured workers.
If your injury keeps you from working or forces you to reduce your hours, you might also qualify for wage replacement benefits for as long as you’re out of work. These payments replace a portion of your income losses based on your average weekly wage from before the injury or disease.
If your work-related injury or occupational disease causes permanent damage, you could qualify for additional compensation beyond weekly wage replacement benefits. New York law recognizes several types of long-term awards for workers who suffer lasting impairment, including:
You must report your injury or illness to your employer within 30 days and file your claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board within two years. For occupational diseases, the two-year period begins when you know or should reasonably know that your condition is job-related.
Workers’ compensation cases involving repetitive stress injuries or occupational diseases rarely involve a single accident or clear injury date, which makes it harder to show that the condition is work-related. Insurance companies often challenge these claims by arguing that the problem developed from activities unrelated to work or from natural aging. You’ll need strong medical evidence that links your job duties to your injury or illness to succeed with this type of claim.
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can make a major difference in your case. At Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, we help Orchard Park workers collect medical records, work history details, and expert opinions that prove the connections between their jobs and their conditions. We can also handle all communication with the insurance companies, set up independent medical exams, and represent clients in hearings if disputes arise. With the support of an experienced attorney on your side, you can focus on treatment while we fight to secure the benefits you are due.
If you developed a repetitive stress injury or occupational disease while working in Orchard Park, now is the time to take action. Contact the law firm of Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, today for an initial consultation, and let our experienced workers’ comp lawyers guide you through every step of your claim.
In New York, these are called “occupational ailments.” You don’t need a single traumatic event. The “date of accident” is often determined to be the day you first sought medical treatment for the condition or the day you missed work because of it.
This is a standard denial tactic. We counter this by documenting your specific job duties—such as how many hours a day you spend typing, gripping tools, or performing repetitive assembly. We work with medical professionals to provide an “Affirmation” that your work environment was the prevalent cause of the injury.
For a sudden injury, the clock starts on the day it happens. For an occupational disease, the 2-year limit to file Form C-3 starts from the date you knew or should have known the illness was work-related. If you were diagnosed with hearing loss or a respiratory issue years after retiring, you may still be eligible.
If your neck or back strain is caused by a poorly designed workstation or repetitive posture required by your job, it can qualify as a repetitive stress injury. An ergonomic assessment and a doctor’s report linking the strain to your office setup are key pieces of evidence we gather.
Under New York Workers’ Comp law, the insurance carrier is responsible for the cost of authorized medical diagnostics (like EMGs for nerve damage or X-rays for joint issues) if the claim is established. You should never receive a bill for authorized work-related care.
You can still receive benefits if your job “concomitantly exacerbated” (made worse) your pre-existing condition. If your daily tasks caused a dormant back issue to become symptomatic and disabling, it is a compensable claim.
