Cases We Handle City Worker Injuries School Teacher Injuries

New York City Teacher Injury Lawyer

Most private and public sector employees who are injured in the course of their employment are limited to bringing workers compensation claims for their injuries.
These workers are not permitted to sue their employer for injuries caused by a coworker or their employer, regardless of the severity of the injury.

However, NYC public school teachers are not limited by the workers compensation law because they receive line of duty injury (LODI) benefits pursuant to the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) contract with the NYC Department of Education.

If you have been injured while working for the NYC Department of Education, contact The O’Connor Law Firm today to understand your legal rights. You may be entitled to bring a civil lawsuit for pain and suffering in addition to your LODI benefits.

Who is Eligible for
UFT Line of Duty
Injury Benefits

According to the UFT-DOE contract, the following workers, categorized as “Pedagogues” are covered by the “Injury in the Line of Duty” provision of the contract:

• Teachers
• Guidance counselors
• School secretaries
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Lab specialists

Other Department of Education employees, including paraprofessionals, school nurses and occupational and physical therapists must file for workers compensation benefits.

How Can a NYC Teacher
Receive Line of Duty Injury Benefits

When a New York City teacher or other “pedagogue” is injured while working, they must follow the strict rules and procedures outlined by the NYC Department of Education Personnel Memorandum No. 4, 2002-2003 entitled, “Policy and Procedures on Line of Duty Injuries for Pedagogical Employees.” These procedures include:

• Notify the administration of any accident or injury within 24 hours and fill out one or both of the following:
  • Comprehensive Injury Report
  • UFT Incident Report (if victim of assault or recklessness)
• Notify your UFT chapter leader of your injury
• The Comprehensive Injury Report must be sent to the superintendent for approval by your school’s principal within 24 hours.

The superintendent must administratively approve or disapprove the Comprehensive Injury Report within five days of receiving the report. Once approved, a formal application must filed with the Self-Service Online Leave Application System. Additional forms are also required.

NYC Teachers Can Also
File A Personal Injury Claim

New York City teachers and other Department of Education “covered” employees may also file a claim for personal injuries in addition to receiving LODI benefits even if their injuries were caused by a coworker or the Department of Education.

If you’ve been injured on the job as a NYC teacher or other covered employee, contact The O’Connor Law Firm today so that we can help you understand your options.

Don’t delay as municipal negligence claims have strict guidelines that must be followed, including filing a notice of claim within 90 days from the date of your injury or your claim may be dismissed.

Common Teacher Accidents

While teaching may seem like a low-risk occupation for injuries, NYC teachers are still vulnerable to the same workplace injuries as other occupations and even face specific job-related injuries that are unique to the school setting. These workplace dangers include:

• Premises accidents
  • Broken doors or windows that have been left in disrepair
  • Elevator accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents due to water accumulation from a leaking water fountain or bathroom plumbing.
  • Trip and fall accidents due to dangerous and defective flooring, stairs, carpets and other protrusions.
  • Sidewalk accidents adjacent to the school.
  • Snow and ice accidents
• Negligent security: Assaults by students, employees or third-parties
• Lead paint exposure: Older schools may have lead paint hazards or asbestos hazards that have not been properly abated.
• Vehicle accidents: If your accident was caused by a coworker or a poorly maintained Department owned vehicle.
• Coworker negligence: The Department of Education is legally responsible for the negligent actions of its employees if performed in the course of employment.
• Negligent hiring and retention: The Department of Education may be held responsible for actions of an employee that were outside the scope of their employment if there is evidence of negligent hiring, training and retention of such employee.

Compensation Available
In A NYC Teacher Injury Case

While some injuries may be minor or temporary, other injuries may be permanent and have life-altering effects. At The O’Connor Law Firm, we fight to make sure you get the full compensation for all your injuries, including:

• Medical expenses
• Physical therapy and rehabilitaton
• Loss of income (past and future)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering

Contact a NYC Teacher
Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured while working as a NYC teacher or other covered employee, give us a call today. Brian J. O’Connor is passionate about helping injured New Yorkers get their lives back on track and is looking forward to helping you.

We will gladly answer your questions and help you understand your legal options. We offer free consultations with no obligation and are available 7 days a week.

We handle teacher injury cases in all five boroughs of New York City with offices in Manhattan and Staten Island. Give us a call at 212-566-4868 or 718-948-3500 and let us help you now.