Public School Custodians and Bus Drivers: Workers’ Comp Challenges in the New School Year

A new school year brings a lot of new responsibilities for bus drivers, custodians, and other school staff. They play a crucial role in ensuring everything runs smoothly and that students are safe. However, custodians and bus drivers face a unique set of risks that could lead to injury. If you work in one of these professions and were recently injured, you may qualify for New York’s workers’ compensation benefits. Learn more about how the process works and how to protect your rights.

Common Injuries Custodians and Bus Drivers Face

Custodians and bus drivers tend to have more responsibilities that require physical labor. For this reason, they’re at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. Here are a few of the most common workplace injuries custodians and bus drivers might face throughout their careers:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Traffic accidents
• Muscle strains from heavy lifting
• Exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals
• Chronic pain from repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
• Stress-related conditions

Why Workers’ Comp Claims Can Be Complicated

In some cases, proving a workplace injury won’t be easy. There are strict time limits and requirements you need to follow to obtain benefits. Even small mistakes can delay your claim or result in its outright dismissal by the Board.

Here are some of the most common challenges for school employees:

• Delayed reporting or paperwork errors
• Lack of evidence showing the injury happened at work
• Denials due to a pre-existing condition
• Employers or insurers challenging claims to reduce payouts

These potential issues can make it much harder for janitors and bus drivers to secure benefits.

How Custodians and Bus Drivers Can Protect Their Rights

Report The Accident ASAP

The last thing you want to do is wait until it’s too late to file your claim. Employees have up to 30 days from the date of the accident to notify their employer in writing. Once you do this, you have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for benefits. If you miss this deadline, there’s a much higher possibility of your claim being denied.

Gather Detailed Evidence

The more evidence you have, the higher the chances of your claim being approved. Always keep detailed records such as accident reports, medical bills, and witness statements. This way, you’ll have documentation on hand to back up your claim if it gets denied.

Consult A Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Filing a workers’ comp claim can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it alone. A reliable attorney can help you file paperwork, help you meet any deadlines, and build a strong case on your behalf. If your case gets denied, they can also guide you through the appeals process.

Filing A Workers’ Comp Claim in New York?

Our New York workers’ compensation lawyers have decades of experience helping school employees qualify for benefits. We’ll help you with this process and ensure you get the benefits you’re entitled to. Please contact us at 855-622-7686 if you have any questions or want to schedule a free consultation today.