Sunday 30 June 2013

Understanding basic workers compensation rights

Have you considered hiring an attorney to help you with your workers' compensation claim? While legal representation is not required, it is often beneficial. Experienced Staten Island Workers' Compensation attorneys can help ensure that your claim is established properly and that every necessary step is taken to get you the benefits and compensation you need and deserve.

What is Workers' Compensation?

Workers' Compensation is a state-governed program that ensures that proper benefits and compensation is issued to eligible claimants, which are employees that have work-related injuries and/or illness. In some cases, including death of an employee, Workers' Compensation beneifts may cover dependents of said employee. The compensation is provided by Workers' Compensation insurance, which every business is required to attain by law.

How do I know if I am eligible for Workers' Compensation benefits?

If you are injured while performing duties of your job, your eligibility for benefits depend on the circumstances of your injury as well as whether you are considered to be an "employee" under Workers' Compensation Law. While many cases are clear-cut on whether one is an employee or not, some cases can become complex and may require the legal expertise of a Staten Island Workers' Compensation lawyer.

How do I find an attorney to represent me?

If you are familiar with someone who has used the services of an attorney for a workers' compensation matter previously, speak to them about their experience. Otherwise, research your options thoroughly online by taking into consideration factors such as length of experience in workers' compensation, success rate and demeanor. It is also highly recommended to schedule a consultation with 2 or 3 attorneys prior to making your decision.

If you are seeking a Staten Island Workers' Compensation attorney, Angiuli and Gentile, LLP is a full-service law firm with a team of legal professionals experienced in workers' compensation. Supervising Partner of the law firm's Workers' Compensation department, Gary Angiuli, has successfully represented workers' compensation clients for over 27 years.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

What You Should Know About Workers’ Compensation in Staten Island

Workers’ compensation is a program run by the individual States and is dedicated to providing employees injured while carrying out the duties of their job with benefits and compensation. Under the Workers’ Compensation Law, employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, which will pay out the benefits to the employee in case they are afflicted by a work-related injury or illness. Although no one plans to be injured, it is important to know your rights and options in case you are injured.

Who Is An Employee Under the Workers’ Compensation Law?

Under Workers’ Compensation Law in New York State regions such as Staten Island, the term “employee” typically includes full-time and part-time employees, day labor, leased employees, unpaid volunteers and in certain cases, independent contractors. To qualify whether a claimant is an employee or not, each claim is reviewed based on several factors, including:

Right to Control – If the person or organization (employer) is controlling where the work is done and the manner in which it is done, the worker is considered an employee, even if they are a contractor or an unpaid employee (including family members). However, if the worker is a truly independent contractor and operates under his or her own operating permit, contract of terms, including the place the work is completed, they are not considered an employee and therefore, would not be covered under Workers’ Compensation in New York areas such as Staten Island.

Equipment Used – If the worker is being provided equipment by the individual or organization (employer), this may indicate an employee-employer relationship, but may need other supporting facts.

Method of Payment – This can often be the deciding factor of whether the claimant is considered an “employee” or not. Employees typically get paid wages on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis, from which the hiring individual or organization withholds taxes and provides benefits such as health insurance, FICA, unemployment insurance, pension, etc.

If you have been injured on the job, it is suggested that you consult a Workers’ Compensation attorney in Staten Island. Although hiring legal representation does not guarantee that your claim will be approved, an experienced attorney can help ensure that all of the appropriate steps are followed to establish your claim. Consulting an attorney is especially important if you need to establish proof that you are an employee under the Workers’ Compensation Law.

Monday 24 June 2013

Staten Island Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Can Help You Through The Process

If you were injured or had fallen ill while executing responsibilities of your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. As a state-governed program, Worker’s Compensation provides injured employees with benefits and compensation they need and deserve to properly recover and sustain themselves if they are unable to work due to their injury or illness. The benefits and compensation an individual receives depends on the level of disability your injury or illness has caused.

Although we hope to never get injured working or otherwise, it is important to know what you are entitled to if you ever are in that situation. Under the workers’ compensation law, the type of compensation and benefits you receive depends on whether or not your injury is permanent, temporary, total or permanent. For instance, if your injury or illness is diagnosed as temporary by a physician, but will prevent you from being able to work for a period of time, you may be entitled to receive time loss compensation benefits, which covers a portion of your typical salary. If your injury or illness leaves you totally disabled, however, you may be offered a settlement agreement. In return for the compensation, you may be required to give up the right to seek further compensation from the employer.

In order to receive the benefits and compensation you need and deserve, it is suggested that you hire qualified Staten Island Workers’ Compensation attorneys. Experienced lawyers can help you establish your workers’ compensation claim properly, ensuring that all of the necessary steps are taken. Furthermore, they can walk you through the process of getting the appropriate compensation, which can be rather complex for individuals who are not experienced in dealing with such matters. Having the right Workers’ Compensation attorney on your side will give you a peace of mind that you will receive the compensation and benefits you need and deserve.

If you are seeking an attorney in the Staten Island area, Angiuli and Gentile, LLP is a full-service law firm with a team of experienced Staten Island Workers’ Compensation attorneys. Supervising Partner of the law firm’s Workers’ Compensation department, Gary Angiuli, has successfully represented workers’ compensation clients for over 27 years. If you are considering hiring a lawyer within the Staten Island area, Angiuli and Gentile, LLP will be of great service to you.

Thursday 13 June 2013

Staten Island Commercial Litigation Attorneys Can Help You Protect Your Business

Although business law and commercial litigation law are terms that are often used interchangeably, they have significant differences in their applications. Business law relates to matters that do not involve a conflict and are often preventative such as setting up the business, drafting contracts and employment agreements, and protecting intellectual rights. Commercial law litigation, on the other hand, helps clients through disputes which are typically between two or more businesses concerning assets. Such disputes can include collection of debt, breach of contract, employment conflicts, and others.

One way that commercial litigation can be prevented is by ensuring that proper agreements are in place by employing the services of a business law attorney. However, in some matters, commercial litigation is inevitable. In this case, it is best to hire a Staten Island Commercial Litigation attorney that is experienced in handling such matters. While most people consider hiring a lawyer to be costly, having the right legal representation can actually save you money, especially when you are dealing with a serious business concern that may affect your business’ reputation as well as your own.

One of the ways a commercial litigation attorney can help keep your costs down is by analyzing your case thoroughly and pinpointing the cause of the problem. This information can help settle the issue outside of court, saving you a significant amount of money in court costs. Furthermore, it can help your business avoid such issues in the future by finding a long-lasting solution to the problem.

While some business owners wait to hire a commercial litigation attorney at the last minute, it is best to research your options before you even need one. You can complete majority of your research by speaking with other business owners or online. Some of the important factors to consider are their experience, reputation, community involvement and affordability. Additionally, it is important to work with an attorney specialized in commercial litigation as they are most equipped in dealing with legal disputes in business.

If you have not yet found a Staten Island commercial litigation attorney to represent you, consider Angiuli & Gentile, LLP. Their Commercial Litigation Department led by Supervising Partner, Gary C. Angiuli, has over 27 years of experience and will help you resolve your legal dispute.

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Important Facts to Know About Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability (SSD) is a government-run program operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which offers financial support to disabled individuals that are unable to do substantial work. The process of receiving such compensation, however, can be rather complex and frustrating. Therefore, individuals who are inexperienced in handling such matters would benefit from hiring an experienced Staten Island Social Security Disability Lawyer to represent them.

The First Steps

Once you are injured and are unable to work, it is best to hire legal representation to walk you through the process. Otherwise, contact the Social Security Administration and make an appointment to file for disability benefits. Upon making the appointment, you will be sent a letter with your appointment date as well as a list of documents you need to provide during your appointment in order to get the benefits you need.

What Can You Expect During Your Appointment?

The interview with the Social Security representative will be either in person or over the phone, during which you typically complete the application. This can be a relatively lengthy process and you should free up at least an hour for the interview. To speed up the interview, you can fill out the necessary paperwork online.

How Does the SSA Decide If I Am Disabled?

There are several conditions an individual must meet in order to be considered disabled. While this information must be supported by your physician, your physician’s claim alone does not qualify you as disabled for SSD purposes. Both of the following must stand true:

You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition.

Your medical condition must be expected to last at least 12 months.

Other eligibility requirements may also pertain to your case. To understand what you need and if you are eligible to receive SSD benefits, it is suggested that you consult a lawyer.

Keep in mind that employing the services of a qualified Staten Island Social Security Disability Lawyer may increase your chances of having your application approved. In fact, the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration states that first-time SSD applicants can benefit from using representation when they initially apply. This is due to the education and guidance that experienced attorneys provide to their SSD clients to ensure that they have all of the necessary documents in order to have their claim approved.

If you are seeking an experienced Staten Island Social Security Disability Lawyer, consider Angiuli & Gentile, LLP. Supervising Partner of the law firm’s Social Security Disability department, Gary Angiuli, has over 27 years of legal experience.

Sunday 2 June 2013

Settling Your Dispute With The Help of a Staten Island Family Law Attorney

A family law attorney can help ensure that any legal family dispute is handled appropriately and if a child is involved, in their best interest. Family law encompasses numerous legal matters including adoption, divorce, child support, violence in the home and more. In many cases, a family law dispute is emotional and employing the services of an experienced Staten Island Family Law Attorney can help calm the situation and handle it in a rational, legal manner. Furthermore, the lawyer will help resolve the case in the party’s best interest, which can possible save them a substantial amount of time and money.

Divorce is one of the more popular disputes for which individuals seek the services of an attorney, especially in the case of a contested divorce. A contested, or disputed, divorce is when the two parties do not agree on the terms of the arrangement. The terms can include the grounds for divorce, property division, child custody, alimony as well as numerous others. In order to get what they want and believe they deserve, many individuals choose to hire legal representation. Besides raising their chances at attaining the desired results, an attorney can also help ease the tension between the two parties and keep the dispute out of the courtroom. If the case does go to court, it can be an expensive and time-consuming process for both.

On the other hand, an uncontested divorce typically goes a lot smoother as both parties agree on the terms of their dissolution. While an attorney is not necessary as many of these procedures are relatively amicable, hiring a Staten Island Family Law Attorney can be a good preventative measure. After all, one cannot be confident that the other person will not change their mind on the terms or become hostile. Having legal representation can ensure that you are prepared and that everything is filed properly to avoid any future disputes.

When researching your options for a Staten Island Family Law attorney, ensure that they are specialized in family law and that they are able to dedicate the proper amount of time and attention to your case in order to achieve the best results. If you are seeking a Family Law attorney in Staten Island, you will find an experienced team of attorneys at Angiuli & Gentile, LLP led by Supervising Partner, Annamarie Gentile.