Recovering Financial Compensation As An Injured HVAC Worker In New York

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) workers help to build, repair, install the systems that keep our homes and vehicles comfortable, and our indoor air quality high. This is hard, physically demanding work, and there are also a variety of occupational hazards in this industry. It’s important that these technicians are well-trained and follow safety standards closely, but the risks of accidents and injuries are a part of the job.

When HVAC workers get injured on the job, they are entitled to benefits in a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp is a no-fault insurance policy that guarantees coverage for work-related injuries that require missed shifts. In New York, all employees are required to have coverage, but many injured employees struggle to receive the benefits they need.

Do All Work Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Comp?

Any injury or illness that’s directly related to your job duties is eligible for workers’ compensation if it’s serious enough to keep you from working. This includes injuries that occur in workplace accidents, those which build up over time (such as lower back pain from heavy lifting), and illnesses from exposure to hazardous conditions.

Since this is a no-fault form of insurance, it doesn’t matter how your injury occurred. You qualify for benefits even if you caused an accident through negligence, and your employer and co-workers are all protected from lawsuits for work injuries. While you’re entitled to workers’ comp coverage, it’s common for employers and insurance companies to dispute and deny claims.

Check out related content on workers' comp claims in other industries: /workers-compensation/hazardous-jobs/food-services/

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Occupational Hazards In The HVAC Industry

There are several occupational hazards that all HVAC technicians should be aware of:

• Fatigue – Many HVAC employees and contractors work long hours, sometimes logging as many as 60 per week. This makes it easy for fatigue to set in, which can cause work-related mistakes and accidents to occur because of impaired mental functions. Fatigue can also lead to physical injuries, such as muscle strains and sprains.
• Falls – Many commercial properties have HVAC equipment on the roof, which means contractors must work from heights on these projects.
• Burns – HVAC work often involves heat sources, such as hot equipment, soldering for repairs, hot furnaces and air conditioners, and heating systems that use flames. Accidents involving these heat sources often cause serious burn injuries which can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Exposure to hazardous substances – HVAC contractors work in all types of homes, including older ones that may have been built using lead or asbestos. Exposure to toxic substances can cause serious injuries and illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
• Electrocutions – HVAC equipment is made up of electrical components and wiring, which means there is a risk of electrocution. These accidents can cause severe burns, internal damage, and are often fatal. It’s important for all HVAC workers to be aware of these risks by making sure power circuit boxes are turned off and testing wires.

Do I Need A Lawyer To Get Compensation?

If you’ve recently suffered a serious work injury as an HVAC employee or contractor, our lawyers are prepared to help you plan for the best route to compensation. For injured employees, we understand how the workers’ compensation works and we know how to deal with insurance companies.

Insurance companies have their own lawyers who specialize in denying claims. Our lawyers have the respected reputation you need to avoid these roadblocks when applying for your benefits. Additionally, we can help you gather additional evidence and appeal a claim which has already been denied.

We’ll also evaluate your case to see if you’re eligible for other forms of compensation, such as a personal injury claim against a negligent property owner. Our dedicated work injury lawyers offer free consultations and only require payment as a small percentage of your benefits if we help you win, which means there’s no risk for you.

Visit our next article on how our NYC work injury lawyers help injured masons and bricklayers: https://banvillelaw.com/workers-compensation/hazardous-jobs/masons/