The painful physical and emotional recovery from a car accident can be made even more difficult when the injuries prevent you from returning to work. Deciding when and if you return to work after a serious injury is an important decision and one that you should consult with a personal injury attorney about first.

The Manhattan, New York personal injury lawyers of Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. have more than 150 years of combined experience. We can make a difficult situation easier for you and your family.

Call us today at 1.800.966.4999 or use our convenient online contact form for a free case evaluation.

We will help you look at several different factors that should influence your decisions about returning to work after you have suffered serious personal injuries in a Manhattan car accident. Some matters to consider are:

• Medical bills: They won’t stop simply because you aren’t working. Unfortunately, paying for bills often forces accident victims back to work before they have fully recovered. Our Manhattan, New York attorneys can help by advising you whether legal action against the other driver is viable. Medical providers often will negotiate payment plans with you if they are assured that they will eventually be paid.
• Premature return: If you go back to work too soon after an injury, it may aggravate the condition and make matters worse. If you have temporary leave from your job and must return to work as soon as you are cleared by a doctor, make sure to keep all documentation regarding your medical visits. If you are cleared for a return before you feel physically ready, you will need to have all information in case it leads to a dispute with your employer. An attorney can help by reviewing your injury status and advising you of your legal options.
• Disability: You may be able to make up for your lost wages if you are eligible for Social Security disability or temporary benefits through the New York State Insurance Fund. In particular, if you have been previously employed and paid into Social Security, and your injury is likely to keep you out of work for at least a year, you may be eligible for Social Security disability. A doctor may specify the time period during which you are considered “disabled” or “partially disabled,” and you may be required to demonstrate that you are not capable of returning to work in another capacity.
• Unemployment benefits: If you are terminated because your injuries prevent you from fulfilling your job requirements, we can provide recommendations about your legal options. We will review your long-term medical outlook, as well as the nature of your injuries and your line of work, to determine the appropriate course of action. Keep in mind: You won’t be able to collect both disability and unemployment benefits.
• Damages: If you pursue a personal injury claim against the insurance company for the other driver, the compensation you may receive will vary depending on your injuries. Damages may include pain and suffering (both past and future), payment of medical costs (both past and future), lost wages, loss of annuity or pension, loss of household help and non-economic damages such as loss of consortium (harm to a family relationship). 

At Schwartzapfel Partners P.C., our Manhattan personal injury attorneys have more than 150 years of combined legal experience and a proven track record of obtaining the money and benefits our clients deserve. We have a 95 percent success rate and have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

If you have suffered serious personal injuries as the result of a Manhattan car accident, the experienced, skilled and dedicated car accident attorneys at Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. will be at your side.

Call our Manhattan car accident attorneys at Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. today at 1.800.966.4999 or use our convenient online contact form for a free case evaluation. You can also call our office at 212.921.4500 or click here for a map to our Manhattan office at 51 East 42nd Street, Suite 1208, New York, NY 10017. We also serve clients in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.