Settle issues as promptly as possible so your employees get the treatment they need to return to work.
High-risk employers invest a lot of money in safety equipment and programs. They work with labor unions to create best practices. Yet employees still get hurt in workplace accidents. Especially when the employees are off-site field workers, the alleged accidents are unwitnessed. They also involve soft-tissue injuries that are identified primarily by complaints of pain, which can be faked. This makes for a challenging defense before an administrative agency designed to be “claimant-friendly.”
I work with employers who have high deductible insurance policies and are effectively self-insured for workers’ compensation benefits. The New York State Workers Compensation Board (NYS WCB) does not acknowledge this insurance structure and will treat you the same as a large insurance carrier. You won’t get copies of all notices, and you will have a heavy burden of proof on every defense you assert. I’ll help you navigate this difficult system and create a people-focused resolution to the unique facts and circumstances of each case.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Q: Do you represent claimants and plaintiffs?
Not usually. I have represented many workers compensation (WC) and unemployment claimants since I began practicing law in 2002. I was also a plaintiff in an employment lawsuit, but I heavily limit my litigation practice at this stage in my career. I believe I can better serve you through mediation, coaching, or alternative dispute resolution. When we can’t keep you out of court, I refer you to a skilled trial attorney I trust.
Q: Do you represent large corporations?
Yes. My high-risk employer clients are typically international employers with multiple locations throughout NYS. I investigate their WC claims, manage the litigation, and work closely with their management team to resolve all related issues. Sometimes, this means I also coach and train them.
Q: Do you represent small businesses?
Yes. Although I have represented large corporations for decades, I have also represented businesses with fewer than 12 employees. More importantly, I have owned a small business that size since 2003, and I intend to stay small. My small business clients get the benefit of my experience–and mistakes–as well as my law license, mediation certifications, coaching certifications, and more.