Court Decision Spotlights Ongoing Struggles in Construction Workers' Compensation Claims - BNO News
A recent verdict in the case of Waldy Quinones Garcia v. Monadnock Construction, Inc. has intensified discussions around the serious obstacles faced by injured construction workers when attempting to claim compensation. The decision brings attention to inefficiencies and unfair practices in the workers’ compensation system—particularly delays, denials, and the overwhelming financial burden placed on laborers […]
A recent verdict in the case of Waldy Quinones Garcia v. Monadnock Construction, Inc. has intensified discussions around the serious obstacles faced by injured construction workers when attempting to claim compensation. The decision brings attention to inefficiencies and unfair practices in the workers’ compensation system—particularly delays, denials, and the overwhelming financial burden placed on laborers recovering from workplace injuries.
The construction sector remains one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. In 2023, it led all others in fatalities, with 1,075 worker fatalities recorded. Of these, 39.2% resulted from slips, trips, or falls, with most fatal incidents involving falls from 6 to 30 feet—a clear indicator of the daily risks laborers face on job sites. While fatal accidents are deeply concerning, nonfatal incidents are just as impactful. In 2020 alone, the industry experienced 174,100 nonfatal injuries, many of which caused workers to miss weeks or months of work due to long recovery periods or permanent disabilities.
Despite being entitled to protection under workers’ compensation laws, many injured construction workers struggle to receive the benefits they are owed. Statistics show that Only 70% of eligible injured construction employees ever file for workers’ compensation. The reasons include fear of retaliation from employers, legal confusion, and overly complex claim procedures that discourage rightful applicants.
The process has only become harder in recent years. Between 2018 and 2022, Denied workers’ compensation claims increased by 20%. These rejections leave many injured individuals without financial support during the most critical time—when they are physically unable to work and need treatment. The average cost of a medically treated injury in construction is a staggering $42,000, making delayed or denied claims a major financial risk for workers and their families.
The Garcia ruling marks a significant legal milestone. It formally recognizes that the current compensation system contains structural flaws that limit access to justice for injured construction workers. Moreover, the case underlines the growing importance of third-party liability lawsuits, offering injured individuals another path to pursue financial relief, particularly in instances where outside contractors or faulty equipment play a role in the injury.
Legal advocates, including those at Levine & Wiss, are using the Garcia case to push for broader change. A firm representative shared the following:
“This ruling brings long-overdue attention to the legal and procedural hurdles construction workers face. With legal reforms like the Justice for Injured Workers Act now in place, we believe real progress can be made.”
The Justice for Injured Workers Act (JIWA), enacted in 2022, is an important piece of legislation aimed at resolving many of the issues the ruling highlights. The law’s key objectives include:
Reducing processing delays so injured workers aren’t left waiting for financial help.
Providing better legal safeguards against retaliation and unjustified claim denials.
Enhancing accountability for employers who violate safety standards or engage in negligence.
While JIWA has laid important groundwork, experts stress that consistent enforcement and expansion of such policies across all states is crucial to protecting vulnerable workers in all regions of the country.
The annual economic impact of workplace injuries in construction is over $13 billion, factoring in medical treatment and lost productivity. However, the human cost is even more devastating. Injured workers often experience chronic pain, emotional distress, and serious financial insecurity as a result of workplace accidents.
With the Garcia decision and the implementation of JIWA, there’s renewed momentum toward correcting these imbalances. These efforts not only push for justice in individual cases but also advocate for a broader cultural and legislative shift in how injured workers are treated.
Efforts must continue to simplify the compensation process, enforce stronger workplace safety laws, and protect injured employees from bureaucratic or retaliatory obstacles. As long as construction remains a high-risk profession, organizations like Levine & Wiss play a vital role in standing up for workers’ rights and pushing for overdue reform.
Rihanna has ruled the Met Gala red carpet for years, consistently wearing eye-catching outfits. Here are four of her best looks ever.
Read more >> : Cick here
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The first picture showed Hailey striking a sultry pose in a black Saint Laurent blazer minidress featuring strong shoulders and a tiny pocket square.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Kelsea Ballerini got a career boost from Taylor Swift, who offered her support for the singer when she first started. It changed everything.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
In honor of Bob Seger's 80th birthday, here are four memorable times the Michigan rock legend collaborated with other famous artists.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Kylie Jenner stunned in custom Ferragamo at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday, but got stuck in her shoes at the end of the night after taping herself into them! Her team rushed to pry the heels off her feet. Kylie survived. No word on the designer pumps.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Kylie Jenner stunned in custom Ferragamo at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday, but got stuck in her shoes at the end of the night after taping herself into them! Her team rushed to pry the heels off her feet. Kylie survived. No word on the designer pumps.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
From Pharrell pulling double duty as host and stylist to a 'The White Lotus' reunion, ET breaks down all the best Met Gala moments.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Tickets are priced from $19.25 to $10 and go on sale Friday.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(2999x0:3001x2)/peo-sabrina-carpenter-ponds-tout-7dd286cf4b854a70a15120950d1a3752.jpg)
Sabrina Carpenter got ready for the Met Gala with Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser. Her makeup artist, Carolina Gonzalez, used it to cleanse her skin before makeup, and then applied the brand’s hyaluronic acid moisturizer on top. Both products are on sale at Amazon now
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(2999x0:3001x2)/peo-sabrina-carpenter-ponds-tout-7dd286cf4b854a70a15120950d1a3752.jpg&description=Here’s the Tea — Er, Espresso — on Sabrina Carpenter’s Radiant Met Gala Complexion Sabrina Carpenter got ready for the Met Gala with Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser. Her makeup artist, Carolina Gonzalez, used it to cleanse her skin before makeup, and then applied the brand’s hyaluronic acid moisturizer on top. Both products are on sale at Amazon now %23sabrinacarpenter) |
|
|
That Louis Vuitton-shaped brand on her cheek started a hard but necessary convo.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
This is not a drill! These swimsuits actually stay put so you can swim, frolic, and lounge to your heart's content without showing too much.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Kendall and Kylie Jenner had completely different vibes at the 2025 Met Gala. Here's what a body language expert noticed.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
From a pregnant Rihanna to Nicole Kidman, Zendaya and Kim Kardashian, ET was with all the stars at Monday's star-studded Met Gala.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Disney's new ad campaign causes confusion and outrage.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Stars bopped around to NYC’s hottest clubs including Casa Cipriani, Crane Club, Times Square Edition and People’s.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Twitter (X), Inc. was an American social media company based in San Francisco, California, which operated and was named for its flagship social media network prior to its rebrand as X. In addition to Twitter, the company previously operated the Vine short video app and Periscope livestreaming service
Twitter (X) is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 619 million monthly active users worldwide. One of the most exciting features of Twitter (X) is the ability to see what topics are trending in real-time. Twitter trends are a fascinating way to stay up to date on what people are talking about on the platform, and they can also be a valuable tool for businesses and individuals to stay relevant and informed. In this article, we will discuss Twitter (X) trends, how they work, and how you can use them to your advantage.
What are Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are a list of topics that are currently being talked about on the platform and also world. The topics on this list change in real-time and are based on the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be localized to a Worldwide country or region or can be global, depending on the topic's popularity.
How Do Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends Work?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are generated by an algorithm that analyzes the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. When the algorithm detects a sudden increase in tweets using a specific hashtag or keyword, it considers that topic to be trending.
Once a topic is identified as trending, it is added to the list of Twitter (X) Worldwide trends. The topics on this list are ranked based on their popularity, with the most popular topics appearing at the top of the list.
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be filtered by location or category, allowing users to see what topics are trending in their area or in a particular industry. Additionally, users can click on a trending topic to see all of the tweets using that hashtag or keyword.