Victims of car accidents often deal with long-term physical and emotional injuries.  Many find it difficult to decide when they should return to work after an accident.  Here are a number of important considerations:

• Medical bills. After an accident, you may have extensive medical bills due to your injuries.  Such bills often force injured victims back to work before they are fully recovered.  Our attorneys in Suffolk County and Long Island will review your circumstances and advise you whether you have a claim against another driver.  Many medical providers will defer payment or create a payment plan if they know you are expecting a settlement.  This will also give you enough time to fully recover from your injuries before returning to work.
• Disability. In New York State, there are two forms of disability programs: the State Insurance Fund and the Social Security Disability Insurance Fund.  These disability programs can provide you with temporary compensation when your accident was not work-related.  For Social Security Disability, you must have been previously employed and paid into the Social Security System; this type of compensation is for injuries that prevent you from working for at least one year.  A doctor’s assessment of your condition will help determine the length of time you’re eligible for this program.  Your physician can explain the time period for which you are deemed to be “disabled” or “partially disabled.”  In addition, you may have to prove that you cannot work at a different job or in a different field than those you had before the accident.
• Unemployment Benefits. You may be able to collect unemployment benefits if you've lost your job due to your injury.  We can also advise you about your possible legal options, if the nature of your injuries led to job loss.  We can help you determine your best course of action for the future by examining the long-term medical outlook on your injuries and the nature of those injuries as related to your line of work.
• Compromising Your Injury. If you return to work too soon, it can interfere with the healing process and further complicate your injuries and recovery.  A doctor’s assessment of your injuries may mean temporary time off from work.  But, what if your doctor tells you to return to work before you feel well enough?  You need to document all of your doctor’s visits, hospital stays, etc.  This paperwork and documentation will be important if you have a dispute with your employer about returning to work.  Our Suffolk County and Long Island attorneys will review the status of your injury and help you by suggesting different legal options.
• Personal Injury Claims. You need an experienced lawyer to help you if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.  The settlement or compensation that you will be eligible for is determined by the circumstances of your accident and resulting injuries.  Compensation can include payment for lost wages, loss of an annuity or pension, payment of medical bills, loss of household help and non-economic losses such as loss of consortium (harm to a family relationship).  In addition, you can also be entitled to money and benefits for pain and suffering, both past and future.

You need the help of the experienced Suffolk County and Long Island attorneys at Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. when you have been in an accident.  We have more than 150 years of combined experience and a success rate of over 98 percent.

Call our Suffolk County and Long Island lawyers today at 1-800-966-4999 or use our convenient online contact form for a free case evaluation.  At Schwartzapfel Partners P.C., we will fight for you!