Q. Why do I need an attorney to represent me before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board?

A. Your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier are represented by an attorney at every hearing before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Their goal is to minimize, reduce, suspend, or worse yet,eliminate any monetary award which you are seeking. With these intentions in mind, you should have your own attorney to get you the benfits which you are entitled to receive.

Q. What does it cost me to hire Alex C Dell as my Worker’s Compensation attorney?

A. Under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law, an injured worker is not permitted to pay an attorney directly for legal representation of them before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. An attorney fee is only awarded by the Workers’ Compensation Board when I win your case. The attorney fee is paid directly to the Firm by the Employer or their Insurer. If you are not entitled to any money, there is no attorney fee awarded.

Q. I am currently represented by a different law firm, but I would like you to represent me, what should I do?

A. After meeting with you to confirm how we can help you, we will take care of notifying the other Firm of our representation of you.

Q. What am I entitled to receive under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law?

A. The law generally provides two (2) main benefits: lost wages, and medical expenses. Lost wages are based upon your average gross weekly wage for the year prior to your accident date or the onset of illness. Subject to the maximum and minimum rates in effect as of the accident date, the maximum compensation rate is two-thirds of your gross average weekly wage.

Medical expenses are also paid by the employer and insurer, including doctor evaluations, tests (e.g., X-Ray, MRI, CT SCAN, Electromyography,, Nerve Conduction Velocity, etc.)

Q. Can I be reimbursed for my travel (i.e., mileage) expenses to and from my medical visits (e.g., Doctor, Physical Therapy, Chiropractor, etc.)?

A. YES. An injured worker is entitled to reimbursement for round trip mileage to and from medical visits based on set mileage reimbursement rates established by the New York State Workers’s Compensation Board. For example, each mile traveled n 2005 is to be reimbursed at the rate of 40.5 cents. Contact my office for the appropriate form to obtain such reimbursement.