Workers’ Compensation for Sanitation Workers Throughout Long Island and New York City

Sanitation workers make life in communities throughout New York bearable by ensuring that the incredible amount of waste their populations produce is disposed of quickly and safely. Without these workers, our neighborhoods would be virtually uninhabitable. But sanitation workers are often overlooked and under-appreciated, and the physical requirements of their profession put them at significant risk of injury on the job. When that occurs, sanitation workers are entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Our work injury lawyers help clients throughout Long Island and New York. 

Sanitation Workers Face Dangers on the Job 

Sanitation workers face a myriad of dangers in their day-to-day duties. Some of the most common risks to which sanitation workers are regularly exposed include: 

• Falls: Workers in any profession that requires extensive physical activity are at risk for falls, including sanitation workers. Such falls can occur by falling off or out of a moving vehicle, tripping over debris on streets and sidewalks, and slipping and falling on ice and snow. 
• Impacts: Sanitation workers are at particular risk of injury from impacts, such as being struck by falling objects from improperly stowed trash bags.  
• Repetitive motion injuries: Many sanitation workers engage in the same repetitive motions every day for years, such as bending over to retrieve waste, which can lead to repetitive motion injuries. 
• Machinery accidents: Sanitation workers use dangerous, heavy equipment in the course of their duties, exposing them to the risk of being backed over or crushed. Workers who operate street sweepers are also at a high risk of injuries, such as those stemming from traffic accidents, being struck by projectile debris, or losing limbs or extremities in accidents with the vehicles’ brooms or vacuum.  
• Toxic exposure: Due to the nature of their work, sanitation workers face injuries resulting from coming into contact with toxic or dangerous waste that is improperly disposed of, such as broken glass, caustic chemicals, or medical waste.  

What to Do After an Accident

After an accident, the most important action sanitation workers can take is to medical treatment immediately and to follow all of their doctor’s orders. As soon as possible after seeking medical treatment, they should then file an official report with their employer describing what happened and what their injuries are, as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses. Injured workers should then file a workers’ compensation claim with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board to ensure that they receive the appropriate amount of workers’ compensation benefits while they recover. While it is not strictly necessary to hire a workers’ compensation attorney to file a claim, doing so can strengthen the claim and increase the likelihood of receiving the maximum amount of benefits possible. 

Contact a New York and Long Island Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

If you are a sanitation worker who has been injured on the job, consider speaking to a workers’ compensation attorney in New York or Long Island who can help you recover. To get started, please contact the attorneys at Turley Redmond & Rosasco by using our online form or calling us at 516-745-5666 (Garden City), 631-582-3700 (Ronkonkoma), or 631-399-0400 (Shirley).