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Having a hard working, experienced legal team fighting for your best interest is not just a privilege of the rich and powerful. Dolce Panepinto, P.C., is proud to level the playing field for working families. Our team of experienced, approachable attorneys includes laborers, an ironworker, labor organizers, and civil rights advocates. We are a full service personal injury firm created by, and for, workers. In addition to personal injury, our firm focuses on workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and all injury-related matters.

Attorney Kristin Allen has put together responses to some of the most commonly asked workers’ compensation questions. For more info, or if you have been injured or would like to file a workers’ compensation claim, please contact Kristin today at 585-815-9003 for a free case evaluation. 

1. How do I know if I have a workers’ compensation claim?
If you have been hurt at work, are in pain because of a repetitive motion you must perform as part of your job, or are sick due to something you were exposed to at work, then you most likely have a workers’ compensation claim. Contact our office for a free case evaluation as soon as possible as there are time limits you must adhere to in order to file a claim.

2. How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim?
You are required to report your injury to your employer within 30 days. There is also a two-year time limit to file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board. Failure to adhere to these time limits can result in a denial of your claim.

3. How much does a Workers’ Compensation attorney cost?
Workers’ compensation fees are generated on a contingent basis. This means that we only receive payment if we generate money in connection with your workers’ compensation claim, and what we take is a small percentage that is paid directly to us out of any amount awarded to you. You will never pay us anything out-of-pocket. More information on contingent fees can be found here (LINK: http://www.dolcepanepinto.com/2013/07/contingent-fee-agreements- explained/). Additionally, our attorneys can explain our attorney fees in greater detail.

4. Do I really need to look for work while I am receiving workers' compensation benefits? Even if I have a permanent disability and I have been approved for SSD?
Any time a claimant has a partial disability, whether they are temporarily or permanently partially disabled, a claimant must look for work within their restrictions in order to keep receiving lost wage benefits. This is true, even if you are actively receiving Social Security disability benefits. If you are out of work and receiving partial disability lost wage benefits, then it is your obligation to attempt to get a job. If you find a job but make less money than before you were injured, you may be entitled to reduced earnings. This means there are times that you can return to the workforce and still receive workers' compensation lost wage benefits.

There are several employment resources that may help you with your job search or retraining. They include: ACCES-VR, Genesee County Job Development Bureau, or any One-Stop Career Center, etc. There are also many online websites that aid in local job searching.

5. Am I able to receive an award for pain and suffering as part of my workers' compensation claim?
No, there is no award for pain and suffering when you file a workers' compensation claim. The workers’ compensation system is in place to compensate workers for lost wages and medical treatment only.

6. Is a workers’ compensation claim my only option if I am hurt at work?
In New York State, you cannot sue your employer but in some circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. This includes, but is not limited to, injuries sustained in a work-related motor-vehicle accident, constructions injuries, or injuries sustained at a location not owned by your employer. Our team of attorneys at Dolce Panepinto will assess your claim to ensure that every legal avenue available to you is pursued.

7. I have a job that involves repetitive work and now I have pain in my hands and shoulders, is this covered by workers' compensation since I did not actually have an injury on any particular date?
Yes, depending on what your job entails, a worker can develop an injury over time due to repetitive work. This is considered an "occupational disease" and a claim for medical treatment and lost wages can be filed. This should be filed with the Workers' Compensation Board within two years of when you knew or should have known it was work-related.

8. I work in a very noisy environment and I am noticing that I have hearing loss from it. Can I file a claim for loss of hearing? When do I file it?
Yes, this is called "occupational hearing loss." You have two years and 90 days from when you stop working in the noisy environment to file a claim for hearing loss. The test for loss of hearing must be done at least 90 days after removal from the noisy workplace.

If you or a member of your family has been injured, please contact us today at 585-815-9003.

PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIP FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS OFFERED BY THE BATAVIAN! The deadline for applications is March 1, 2017. E-mail a cover letter and resume to howard@thebatavian.com. All eligible candidates will currently be enrolled in a college or university and have taken at least one journalism course.

Merrill Lynch today announced John Riter has been appointed resident director of Merrill Lynch’s Batavia office. Riter will lead the Batavia office’s team of dedicated Merrill Lynch financial advisors to continue to deliver wealth management strategies to local area individuals, families, and businesses.

“John’s proven leadership and outstanding reputation make him the perfect candidate to lead our Batavia local office,” said Jeff Adams, managing director and market executive. “John’s 29 years of experience will enhance our ability to offer the highest quality of service that Batavia’s sophisticated investors have come to expect from Merrill Lynch.”

Riter, a resident of Batavia, N.Y., joined Merrill Lynch in 2008.

Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management

Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment services for individuals and businesses globally. With 14,552 financial advisors and $2.1 trillion in client balances as of September 30, 2016, it is among the largest businesses of its kind in the world. Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management specializes in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment, cash and credit management. Within Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, the Private Banking and Investment Group focuses on the unique and personalized needs of wealthy individuals, families and their businesses. These clients are served by more than 175 highly specialized private wealth advisor teams, along with experts in areas such as investment management, concentrated stock management and intergenerational wealth transfer strategies. Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management is part of Bank of America Corporation.

MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, member Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. 
© 2016 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Super solid and so pretty! This charmer is located in an awesome City location, close to everything and within walking distance to one of Batavia's favorite coffee shops and City parks! This home is move-in ready, with little to do but try to figure out what to do with all the storage space! There is great space and cozy floor plan for such a large home --everyone has their own spot! This home has been well taken care of through the years with maintenance of the everyday "stuff" and yearly maintenance of the things that matter --roof, insulation and furnace! This is an excellent home for the money, you are going to want to check this one out! Click here to view the complete listing for 27 Ellicott Ave. in Batavia. Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today at 585-344-4663!

Dolce Panepinto recovered more than $17 million for injured clients in 2016. Last year, the Dolce Panepinto team fought for and recovered more than $17 million in settlements and awards for our injured clients. As always, we worked extremely hard to get the best possible outcome for our clients and are proud to have had the opportunity to help them. We would like to congratulate our clients and wish them the best as they continue to move forward beyond their injuries. Here are some of the litigation highlights:

A $2 million settlement was reached on behalf of a Local 22 plumber who suffered a serious back injury. Our client was on a ladder installing cast iron pipe overhead when a length of pipe broke loose and struck him.

A $1.2 million settlement was reached on behalf of a Local 210 laborer who suffered a serious back injury. While unloading a forklift, a section of drywall fell on our client, striking him in the back and knocking him to the ground.

A $1.2 million settlement was reached on behalf of a District Council 11 painter who suffered serious back, neck, shoulder and knee injuries. Our client was painting a bridge when a large cable fell from above striking him on the head, cracking his hard hat and knocking him onto his knees.

A $1 million settlement was reached on behalf of a Local 210 laborer who suffered serious neck, back and shoulder injuries. While performing demolition work, he slipped on a chunk of wet concrete and was injured.
 
A $850,000 settlement was reached on behalf of a Local 210 laborer who suffered a serious knee injury. Our client was part of a team working on the bed of a moving flatbed truck, removing traffic cones from the highway when a stack of cones on the truck tipped over and fell on him. 

A $800,000 settlement was reached on behalf of a construction worker who suffered a serious back injury. Our client was carrying a heavy piece of industrial equipment when he slipped on hazardous debris.

Super solid and so pretty! This charmer is located in an awesome City location, close to everything and within walking distance to one of Batavia's favorite coffee shops and City park! This home is move-in ready, with little to do but try to figure out what to do with all the storage space! There is great space and cozy floor plan for such a large home --everyone has their own spot! This home has been well taken care of through the years with maintenance of the everyday "stuff" and yearly maintenance of the things that matter --roof, insulation and furnace! This is an excellent home for the money, you are going to want to check this one out! Click here to view the complete listing for 27 Ellicott Ave. in Batavia. Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today at 585-344-4663!

YMCA Waives Join Fee to Jump Start your January! Are you ready to shed those extra holiday pounds? Looking for a fresh start in 2017? Has cabin fever already started setting in? Join the Y during our membership campaign and save! Between 12/26/16 and 1/15/17 we will waive the full joining fee on any membership category.

New to the Y and not sure if you are ready to commit? Try the Y 5 times between 12/26 and 1/15/17 for just $15. If you decide to join during that same time frame we will take the $15 you paid off of your first month’s membership dues.

YMCA Membership entitles you and your loved ones the chance to become part of an organization that believes in and promotes active and healthy lifestyles, progressive skill development, fair play, family, and character development. The YMCA is not just another gym. When you join the Y, you join a family and what’s more you join a place where people are looking for changes to their overall health. The Genesee County YMCA offers a wide array of programs and services to meet the interests and needs of the entire family from memberships for youth, college students, families and seniors. From swimming lessons and sports, to childcare and summer camping, there is truly something for everyone at the Genesee County YMCA.

If you feel like you cannot afford a YMCA membership, it is the policy of the YMCA that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Financial assistance for membership and programs is available through the annual Strong Communities Campaign. The application process is easy and confidential. Please call or visit our member service desk to obtain an application.

For more information on membership or programs offered at the Genesee County YMCA, please call (585) 344­-1664 or log on to our website at www.glowymca.org.

Get the FASTEST Internet in Batavia! Just $44.95/mo. for 100 Mbps Internet and home phone over Fiber for your first 6 months!* Visit us online or call today. Multiple services, one bill, one low price! Empire Access 1-888-868-4002. www.empireaccess.com