Workers Compensation

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Law covers any employee who sustains an injury while in the course of employment.  The injury could be from an accident or a repetitive accident occurring on a particular day, or the injury could develop as a result of the employee’s work over the course of time (an occupational disease).  Every workers’ compensation case is adjudicated by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board where hearings are held to determine entitlement to wage replacement benefits and/or medical benefits pertaining to the work-related injury.

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Who pays a workers’ compensation claim?

Workers’ compensation is paid by your employer’s insurance company.  The premiums for this insurance are also paid by your employer.

What happens when you go to court for a workers’ compensation claim?

A hearing, or several hearings, are held in connection with your claim at the Workers’ Compensation Board before an Administrative Law Judge.  The insurance carrier usually sends an attorney to the hearing to represent their interests and, therefore, it is always a good idea to have your own attorney representing you in connection with your claim.  You do not have to pay an attorney out of your pocket; the attorney fees are determined by the Workers’ Compensation Board and are only payable out of any additional workers’ compensation monetary benefits your attorney obtains for you.

Can I sue my employer for an injury on the job?

You cannot sue your employer for injuries occurring on the job.  A workers’ compensation claim takes the place of any lawsuit against the employer.  It is possible to sue a third party who may be liable and responsible for the injury, depending on the particular circumstances surrounding the accident.  An attorney should assess whether or not a third-party lawsuit can be filed concurrently with the workers’ compensation claim.

Can an employer deny a workers’ compensation claim?

An employer can instruct their insurance carrier to “controvert” (dispute) a workers’ compensation claim.  This should generate a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Board on an expedited basis.  The Board will then schedule a trial date for the injured employee to testify as well as any witnesses from the employer.  The Administrative Law Judge will then make a determination as to whether the claim should be established as a compensable work injury.  Anyone who has a disputed workers’ compensation claim should definitely have an attorney representing them at the hearing.

How much does workers’ compensation pay for lost wages?

Workers’ compensation is payable on a weekly or bi-weekly basis based on the injured employee’s average weekly wage.  Workers’ Compensation for a total disability is equivalent to two-thirds of the injured employee’s average weekly wage up to a maximum benefit amount.  The maximum WC benefit rate is determined each year on July 1st and is based on the New York State average weekly wage.  Workers’ compensation benefits are State and Federal tax free.

Can you work while receiving workers’ compensation benefits?

Any work activity subsequent to the filing of a workers’ compensation claim should be reported to the insurance carrier.  If the insurance carrier is paying monetary benefits for lost time, it is extremely important to advise the insurance carrier of any work activity, either on or off the books.  It is possible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for a reduction in earnings subsequent to a work injury.  If you earn less money subsequent to a work injury as a result of your disability, you may be entitled to monetary benefits for the difference between your current earnings and your established average weekly wage.  The calculation of your entitlement to benefits is complicated and it is advisable to have an attorney assist you with the calculation of benefits for reduced earnings.

Does the employer have to give you time off to attend doctor and hospital appointments?

There is no provision in the Workers’ Compensation Law which requires the employer to provide time off to attend doctor/hospital visits.  Additionally, an employer can refuse to pay you salary while you are out on workers’ compensation benefits, depending on whether or not a union or employment contract exists.

Do you have to claim workers’ compensation when filing taxes?

As stated above, workers’ compensation benefits are entirely tax free.  You should consult with your accountant to determine whether or not any benefits received are reportable on a tax return; however, there should be no taxes due on any benefits received.

How do I get a settlement from workers’ compensation and how long does a settlement usually take?

There are several different types of settlement under the workers’ compensation law.  A schedule loss of use settlement is done approximately six months to a year following the injury or last surgery and applies only to injuries to extremities (arms, legs, hands, feet, etc.).  The monetary amount is based on the percentage of permanent loss of use sustained to an extremity and is also calculated based on the employee’s average weekly wage and benefit rate.

Cases can also be settled under a Section 32 of the Workers’ Compensation Law.  This settlement can resolve outstanding issues on controverted claims, claims where an employee remains out of work and may be out of work permanently, or claims where an employee has both lost time from work and a need for extensive medical treatment.  A Section 32 can be any amount at all that is negotiated between the employee’s attorney and the insurance carrier.

Settlements can be as early as six months following an injury or could take place several years after an injury, depending on the circumstances of each accident. The Workers’ Compensation Board must approve any Schedule Loss of Use or Section 32 Settlement.

In any instance where a settlement is discussed, it is always advisable to consult with an attorney given the fact that the carrier’s attorneys are always involved with settlement of their claims.

How long can you be on workers’ compensation?

If an employee sustains a permanent partial disability, there is a period of temporary benefits payable, usually for a couple of years.  Once the employee is classified with a permanent partial disability, the employee could be entitled to monetary benefits for up to ten years from the date of classification. For employees classified with a permanent total disability, which are very few and far between, there is no “cap” on permanent benefits

Is there a statute of limitations on workplace injuries?

An injured worker has 30 days to report the injury to the employer.  Notice can be given in either written or verbal form.  The injured worker has two years within which to file a claim for benefits with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.  Any claim should be filed on a C-3 claim form.  If an insurance carrier pays any monetary benefit and/or pays for any medical treatment related to the work injury, this payment may serve to extend the statute of limitations.

Can workers’ compensation payments be stopped?

As the workers’ compensation system is an “adversary system,” meaning that the injured employee is on one side and the insurance carrier is on the other, the insurance carrier is entitled to obtain their own medical examination to determine whether or not they believe the employee is entitled to ongoing benefits.  If the insurance carrier’s doctor finds that the employee is not disabled, the insurance carrier can apply to stop the employee’s benefits.  In these situations, a workers’ compensation hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers’ Compensation Board is needed.  Given the complexities of litigating the differences in medical opinions between the employee’s doctor and the carrier’s doctor, an attorney should be consulted to litigate the claim, especially when benefits are stopped.

Can you get workers’ compensation benefits when you have a preexisting injury?

All preexisting injuries must be reported on a workers’ compensation claim form.  Since the employer takes employees as they find them, preexisting injuries are not a bar to the establishment of a claim if the new injury occurs while in the course of employment.

Is FMLA and workers’ compensation the same thing, and can an employer force an employee is take FMLA?

FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) is a Federal law which requires the employer to hold an employee’s job for a certain amount of time.  Employers who are subject to the FMLA requirement are employers with 50 or more employees.

Workers’ compensation is a State law which has different requirements.  For example, if an employee files a workers’ compensation claim and is out of work and the employer has 50 or more employees, the employer may have to hold the claimant’s job for a certain amount of time under Federal law and the employee can still pursue workers’ compensation benefits under the State law.

The FMLA law was designed to protect an employee’s job.

Can you sign yourself out of work?

After sustaining a work injury, any lost time from work must be documented by a medical doctor.  Your doctor should provide a medical report reflecting that you are totally or partially disabled from work as a result of your injury.  An employee who takes off from work without medical advice will not be paid workers’ compensation benefits.

Can a workers’ compensation case be reopened?

Once a case has been established as a compensable work injury, the injured worker has lifetime medical coverage for the injury.  Even after the case is closed, the case can be reopened for further medical treatment if there is a change in condition.  If there is a settlement of the case, the particular stipulations of the settlement will determine whether or not the case can be reopened.  Most Section 32 settlements cannot be reopened.  You should consult an attorney whenever considering reopening a workers’ compensation claim.

Can you sue your employer for emotional distress?

Employers can be sued for a variety of reasons having to do with Federal and State labor laws, as well as discrimination laws, etc.  The Workers’ Compensation Law specifically provides that an employer cannot be sued for an injury sustained while working.  There are workers’ compensation claims that can be pursued for psychiatric injuries sustained in the course of employment; however, the law in this area is very complicated and an attorney should be consulted.

How much will I get from a workers’ compensation settlement?

A settlement for workers’ comp claim is not guaranteed.  A settlement is an agreement between both parties to close the workers’ compensation claim.  The amount of the settlement includes indemnity and medical expenses.  The amount of the settlement is based on many factors, including average weekly wage at the time of the injury, permanent degree of disability, wage earning capacity and permanent loss of use to schedule body parts.

How are wages calculated in workers’ compensation?

In general, a claimant’s average weekly wage is based on the claimant’s wages for the 52 weeks preceding the date of injury.   As stated previously, an injured employee’s WC benefit rate is determined by the average weekly wage established on the case.

 What is the average settlement for a work-related back injury?

When dealing with settlement, there is no average to take into consideration when determining value.  A settlement is based on a number of factors, including future lost time, expected future treatment, and the insurance carrier’s willingness to settle the claim.

How long does it take to get money from a settlement?

After a Section 32 hearing is completed, a Notice of Decision is released by the Judge.  Either party has ten days within which to withdraw from the agreement before it becomes final.  Once the Decision becomes final, the insurance carrier has ten days to send the settlement check.  It must be postmarked by that tenth day.  In general, a settlement check should be received within 25 to 35 days.

What happens when you go to court for workers’ compensation?

Hearings and trial are set at the Workers’ Compensation Board to address any outstanding issues. A claimant is entitled to be heard by the Judge.  The insurance carrier’s attorney will also be at the hearing point, putting forth their argument.   It is always advisable to attend a workers’ compensation hearing with an attorney representing your interests.

How long does it usually take to get workers’ compensation?

The amount of time it takes to receive workers’ compensation varies.  To expedite the process, a claimant must advise the supervisor of an injury as soon as possible and an incident report must be completed with the employer.  This will allow the insurance carrier to possibly pick up payments voluntarily before a hearing takes place.

How long does it take for a compensation claim to come through?

On average, to receive a hearing date from the Workers’ Compensation Board may take between one to two months.

 Do you get paid while on workers’ compensation?

A claimant may be entitled to workers’ compensation payments while out of work.  The claimant will need up-to-date medical indicating a degree of disability.  These checks are usually paid on a weekly or  bi-weekly basis.

How do you get a settlement from workers’ compensation?

A settlement in workers’ compensation is a negotiation process between both parties.  As stated previously, there are several different types of settlement under the workers’ compensation law.  A schedule loss of use settlement is done approximately six months to a year following the injury or last surgery and applies only to injuries to extremities (arms, legs, hands, feet, etc.).  There are also settlements that resolve other issues under Section 32 of the NYS WC Law.    Once there is a meeting of the minds, Section 32 paperwork is drawn up.  The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) must approve any of these types of settlements.

How much does workers’ compensation pay for lost wages?

If a claimant is out with a total degree of disability, the rate paid is two-thirds of the average weekly wage up to the maximum rate for the date of injury.  If there is a conflicting medical opinion regarding degree of disability from the Independent Medical Examiner, that rate may be reduced.  An insurance carrier cannot reduce the rate without an additional hearing if the Law Judge has directed the carrier to pay at a certain rate.

Do employers have to give you time off for doctors’ appointments?

No, actually.  The employer is not required by the New York State law to give you time off for doctors’ appointments.  Doctor’s appointment should be made after working hours if you are working, if possible.

Who pays Worker’s Compensation claims?

The Worker’s Compensation claims are paid by your employer’s Workers’ compensation insurance carrier.  There are some instances where the employer pays monetary and medical benefits directly because they are self-insured.

How long will it take to settle a Worker’s Compensation claim?

Generally speaking, the claim, depending upon on what type of claim it is, is settled within approximately one year to three years depending upon again the nature of the injury, how long you are out of work, if there are several injuries, etc.  Many factors go into evaluating a case for settlement and determining the best way to settle and the monetary amount involved.   You should always consult an attorney to evaluate and pursue a settlement of a workers’ compensation claim.

What happens when you go to court for worker’s compensation?

Worker’s Comp court is an administrative procedure handled by administrative judges.   The hearings at the Workers’ Compensation Board are held to determine what the proper benefits to be paid are, also to determine what the proper medical treatment is.  That is generally why we have Worker’s Compensation hearings.  The hearings are held at the Worker’s Compensation ward and in Suffolk County that is actually in Hauppauge and in Nassau County, the hearings are held in Garden City and, throughout New York City, there are several different hearing points.

Can you sue for pain and suffering under Worker’s Compensation?

No.  Pain and suffering is terminology used in personal injury law where there is a lawsuit against a liable  party. You cannot sue your employer for injuries taking place on the job and, therefore, pain and suffering is not an issue in a Workers’ Compensation claim. In Worker’s Compensation, the issues are whether the injuries caused were related to the work and the nature and extent of the injuries.  Pain and suffering is not an issue.  You do not necessarily get any more money or less money because there is pain and suffering.

Can you be fired from your job while on Worker’s Comp?

Generally speaking, yes.  If you are not covered by a union contract that protects your job, the fact that you have a Worker’s Comp injury does not protect you from being fired by the employer.  The employer basically can fire you from work because you are not able to do your job. Your employer cannot fire you because you have filed a Worker’s Comp claim; however, generally employers do not usually indicate that they are firing you specifically because of the claim; they usually indicate that they are firing you because you cannot do your job, so that is perfectly legal under the New York State Labor Law as well as Worker’s Compensation Law.

How long do you have to be out of work before Worker’s Comp pays?

Rhe first week out of work is considered a “waiting period” and is not payable.   The second week out of work is payable.   If you are out for longer than two weeks, then that first week becomes payable as well.   Remember, you can only be paid workers’ compensation if there is medical evidence of a disability.

How much is the average Worker’s Comp settlement?

Well, that is a question that is determined by the nature of the injury.  There are settlements for extremity injuries worth $10,000 to $20,000.  There are settlements for more extensive injuries worth $250,000 to $500,000.  They are not personal injury settlements and therefore there is a limit to the settlement amounts.  Generally speaking, the settlement amount is up to the attorney to negotiate with the insurance company and is based upon many factors, including the nature of the injury, the employee’s Average Weekly Wage, the lost time from work.

How much is a Worker’s Comp Back or Neck injury worth?

There are many factors that go into that math.  If the worker remains out of work after a Back (or Neck) injury then certainly their resolution with the insurance company is worth more.  If they remain out of work for an extended period of time the insurance carrier may seek to limit their future liability for payment of indemnity (monetary) and/or medical benefits by a” lump sum settlement” under Section 32 of the Workers’ Compensation Law. It is a voluntary negotiation and the carrier does not have to offer something reasonable and the employee does not have to accept something unreasonable.  Injured workers should always consult an attorney to evaluate their case for possible settlement, as well as the “type” of settlement appropriate to the situation, and to negotiate an acceptable resolution with the insurance carrier.

How do I make an appointment using my worker’s compensation claim?

When calling to make an appointment, before being seen every Worker’s Compensation patient must have their insurance name, claim number, adjuster name and phone number, and their job information. In order to get this information a claim must have been filed with their work regarding this injury that occurred. Patients must also supply the date of the injury as well as a detailed description of the injury and what happened on that day. It is important that we are made aware of the specific body parts that were injured and covered under the claim, because worker’s compensation claims are body part specific. Body parts that were not reported in the patient’s initial report to their job will not be covered under their claim. When making an appointment we will do our best to get you in the same day as your call, as long as we have a provider in the office on that day. Patient’s are required to come in with x-rays at the time of their first visit for all body parts except for the back. When you make your appointment, we will send the x-ray script to any local radiology facility of your choice or our referral.

What happens if my claim is not yet processed?

If you were injured on the job and you need to be seen urgently but your claim has not yet been processed, we will take the steps to see you same day regardless. We would take your work information and confirm with a supervisor that there will be a claim open for you. As a precaution, we will always take a copy of your photo ID and insurance card along with your social security number. If it turns out that your job does not open a worker’s compensation claim for you and we already saw you, you would be responsible for the bill for that visit. This is why it is very important to report the injury to your job immediately, making sure you fill out the proper paperwork.

What happens if my claim gets denied?

If your worker’s compensation gets denied or discontinued at any point, we are able to call your private insurance and try to get authorization through them for your follow-up visits if necessary. If we receive a notice of denial for your claim, you will be notified immediately. Once you are notified, we will take all the necessary steps with your private insurance for your continuation of care. It is very important that you attend any appointments that are set up for you by worker’s compensation to try and avoid being denied. If you get scheduled for an IME you must attend.

Why would my worker’s compensation claim get denied?

A worker’s compensation claim can be denied for many different reasons. One of the main reasons that claims are denied are for the lack of the patient showing up for their IME visit with the worker’s compensation doctor. If you do not show up, and fail to reschedule immediately your claim will automatically be denied. Another reason that a claim may be denied is if the patient does show up for the IME and the doctor decides that no further treatment is necessary based on his/her evaluation. Claims may also be denied if the worker’s compensation insurance feels that the body parts being treated are not correlated with the injury that occurred at work. This is why it is very important that when you file the claim paperwork you are very body party specific and you include everything that was injured on that day in full detail, including whether the injury is on the left or right side. There are also cases when patients reach “Maximum Medical Improvement”. This means that either the IME doctor, treating physician, or worker’s compensation believes that the patient has been treated and healed to the best of their ability.

What if I need physical therapy or an MRI?

If you are referred out for physical therapy or occupational therapy all the proper paperwork is done between our office and your physical therapist. Forms, such as MG2 and C4 auth, are filled out to make sure that your worker’s compensation will pay for the physical therapy visits, and we renew them about every six weeks. Your physical therapist will continue to send me their visit notes, which our office signs, attaches our office notes and the proper worker’s compensation forms, and forwards to your worker’s compensation adjuster and the worker’s compensation board to assure that you are approved for the treatment that you need. These forms are also filled for MRI authorization as well as injection authorization, or any treatment that you may need beyond a routine office visit. Please be advised that the turnover time on the authorization of these forms is solely dependent on the speed in which your worker’s compensation insurance returns and approves our requests. Forms for authorization are filled out and sent from our office the same day that they are ordered by the treating physician.

How does my worker’s compensation insurance know about my visits?

When it comes to your routine office visits, your office notes and the proper worker’s compensation paperwork is sent out at the end of the week you were treated. This is the case for every visit that you come into our office. This will give your worker’s compensation any treatment that was rendered at the time of the visit, your work status, any outward referrals (physical therapy, radiology, chiropractor, etc.), and how long until your next visit. Your adjuster also faxed us any additional paperwork, which is filled out and sent back on the same day that it is received. We do not provide any patient information over the phone, so when your adjusters call, we ask them to send a fax which we answer right away.

What if I need additional information for my job?

If your job has any questions regarding your visits, or if your job gives you any outside paperwork for us to fill out we are happy to do so. Bring any paperwork at the time of the visit and we will do our best to accommodate you same day. We are also happy to fax the paperwork straight to your job if necessary.

What happens if the provider orders me to be out of work?

If the treating physician orders you to be out of work for a specific period of time, we will fill out the proper work note for your job as well. We can give you a copy of this out of work note, and if you have a proper fax number we can also fax it to your job for you as well. We do not give extended periods of time out of work. If you are told to be out of work for 2 weeks, you must follow-up with us within that time so that you can be re-evaluated to see if your work status has changed. At the time of the follow-up we can extend the period that you are out of work if the provider deems necessary.

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4.9
Based on 115 reviews
Dr. Karlkare and his staff were excellent. Dr. Karkare explained everything clearly and took his time getting to know my Dad.
Anna Acker
22:46 07 Sep 23
Dr Vedant Vaksha had done emergency surgery in 2020 after a traumatic injury.His office at Complete Orthopedics handled the continued care thereafter.Dr V and his staff had been Professional and friendly throughout the process, taking the time to explain all the questions on how to proceed and what to expect.Whenever I needed to speak with Dr V or the office they were a phone call away, without waiting or calling several numbers like in so many other medical offices.The office was accommodating to scheduling to my needs at all times. Dr Vedant Vaksha earned the following5 out of 5 stars, highly recommended.
John Kuey
20:58 05 Sep 23
Dr. Vaksha helped me recover from an injury. I am very thankful that he took the time to explain the best treatment for my injury. Also thankful for the wonderful office staff!
Joseph Castelli
22:30 02 Aug 23
The office is wonderful!… Dr Paresh was very helpful and attentive and made my sister in laws recovery so much better.. Thank you for everything
Jazz Lorenzo
17:48 14 Jul 23
The ladies are very welcoming, the service is great, the doctor is very professional and caring and the building is super clean. I really like to come here, the atmosphere is very friendly... Come and you will love it too.
Joan Carasco
14:41 30 Jun 23
Dr. Nakul Karkare is awesome! And patriotic! Thank you, Dr. Karkare for displaying the American Flag in your waiting room, honoring and mourning our military personnel, this Memorial Day, who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Dave
00:52 30 May 23
Excellent and skilled orthopedic practice specializing in joint replacements. Dr Karkare was trained at the Hospital for Special Surgery and has excellent results, as do his associates!! Would gladly refer family members to the practice!!
Eclectic54
00:24 30 May 23
I had such a wonderful experience with Complete Orthopedics in Stony Brook. Not only did Dr. Kuo fix my broken wrist with such kindness and care, but the office staff, including Billing, Reception and the X-Ray Technician, was always so helpful, going out of their way to ensure that each patient felt welcome, answering any questions with a smile, and ensuring any issues with insurance/billing were handled with the utmost professionalism. I highly recommend their practice!
Victoria DeMatteo
19:49 10 May 23
I'm very happy St. Catherine's sent me to this office for treatment after I broke my collar bone! Unfortunately the break was too severe to repair on its own and I had to have it rebuilt a week after the injury. Dr. Vaksha did a great job fixing it. I'm three months out, and I have full use of the arm and shoulder. The whole office staff is very professional, accommodating, and welcoming. I hope to not need orthopedic services again, but Dr. Vaksha will be my number one choice if I or anyone in family suffers such am injury.
Tina Rivera
20:42 08 May 23
No one likes going to the doctor. But these people make it painless. I go for knees, hips and shoulders. At almost 70 Complete Orthopedics keeps my active life style running smoothly. Whether chasing my Grandson and even surfing again, I highly recommend them!!
Thomas Slavin
15:02 02 Mar 23
Dr. Kuo knowledgeable and competent surgeon- very good experience and more importantly great result.
Joseph McCoy
21:23 25 Feb 23
Dr Vaksha was so kind and helpful. He took extra time with us and explained things so thoroughly. Highly recommend. Office very clean.
Susan Bosinius
20:20 19 Feb 23
Dr Vaksha, is a great doctor very professional knows what he talking about. Treat patient with upmost respect. Thank You
Troy Spencer
16:46 19 Jan 23
Dr. Karkare is an amazing doctor, very caring and attentive, the girl at the front desk is very kind and helpful. .elizabeth .thank you so much .
blanca ventura
21:32 26 Oct 22
Been going to this place before my accident and after I had my knee surgery. So happy how I been treated and how well I am getting. Thank you all and specially Dr. VAKSHA for everything and getting back on track.
Ita Opico
19:01 25 Oct 22
Love this place From the minute I called I was treated kindly. When I arrived The Dr saw me right away he was compassionate and ordered the appropriate tests for me. I came back in for my follow up and had the same great experience.
Christine Rostock
21:28 23 May 22
Dr Vaksha and Dr karkare are 2 of the best orthopedic doctors around my wife Susan had a very serious broken ankle in March of 2019 she didn't think she was going to walk again Dr vaksha did an excellent surgery on her ankle he said it was his toughest he ever did he put a lot of hardware in her ankle and told her she would be alright she made remarkable recovery thanks to his surgery as of now she regained 100 percent use of her ankle she would highly recommend him to anyone. My own experience with Dr karkare has been wonderful he takes his time with you listens to what you have to say and prescribes various treatments and is very caring I would highly recommend him to anyone I would give both doctors a 10 plus rating we are very happy with them the best.
Harry Jones
23:31 19 May 22
Complete orthopedics is a wonderful place to go when you hurt or injured a great staff and wonderful doctors very knowledgeable and helpful I would recommend this place to all of my family and friends that is in me of orthopedic care I give them 10 thumbs up
Wayne Pemberton
17:39 18 May 22
The staff is very professional and helpful. Dr. Vaksha is excellent. He takes time to listen and offer suggestions to help you get better. I’m very thankful and happy to be a patient here at Complete Orthopedics.
Phoenix Rising
19:54 16 May 22
Dr.Karkare is the best. He listens to everything and explains everything I recommend him to everyone. I am so happy he is my doctor.
Myrna James
00:48 13 May 22
Dr.Kuo is amazing very attentive,caring,and passionate and staff is awsome too.Thank you for everything Dr.kuo.
Erick Murillo
23:17 12 May 22
I was in a car accident November 1 I was referred to Dr. Vaksha For shoulder surgery . I he was amazing he made me feel very comfortable and explained everything that was going to happen from surgery all the way through my physical therapy highly recommend Dr. Vaksha
Yolanda Ojeda
19:37 09 May 22
My appointment with Dr. Vaksha was amazing. Dr. Vaksha was very thorough and kind. I would refer this office to anyone who needs a great orthopedic doctor.
John Senechal
19:54 05 May 22
Scheduling my appointment was quick and easy. The staff was super friendly and down to earth. I was seen on time. The appropriate test, “x-rays” were taken before the conversation with doctor, something I really liked, test for analysis and conversation was done upfront. Dr. V had a great personality and was no BS, straight forward diagnosis and a play on next steps. I am happy I found them and would refer them to friends and family.
Sam
00:46 03 May 22
I have seen Dr. Kuo two times already and he's awesome along with his staff. Very friendly office and I'm glad to be a patient here.
Camaris A
20:01 28 Apr 22
Amazing team!! Very caring, profesional, and friendly!! Dr. Kevin Kuo, you are the best, very passionate, caring, and helping thank you for getting me better and being so kind to me! Elizabeth you the best thank you for you help always and you big smile and positive actitud❤️🙏🏼
breidy valerio
19:01 22 Apr 22
The staff is truly exceptional, they make you feel comfortable and welcomed. The doctors are amazing,always professional, compassionate and great listeners.
Elizabeth Collado
03:25 09 Apr 22
What a great place! The place is clean and organized.The staff is wonderful. Setting up physical therapy is right there as well.I'm so glad I found this place.
Donna Anne
22:45 05 Apr 22
This was my 1st time breaking something in my 27 years on this planet. I was recommended here by a friend Dr. Vashka helped me from day 1 and still continues to check in on me and my healing ankle. Would highly recommend
tyron davis
16:06 01 Apr 22
Brand new office, same great doctors! Rooms are clean, plenty of parking, physical therapy attached, Dr. Karkare and his staff are awesome. Thank you!
Emily B
02:49 24 Mar 22
Dr.VAksha is the best, I love the way he treats me as his patient, he is caring,understanding and very attentive to my needs
Mirna Caballero
14:53 03 Mar 22
Great staff. Dr. Vaksha is awesome and takes the time to listen to his patients. He is very compassionate. I would highly recommend this office.
Bebe Doyle
01:24 23 Feb 22
After suffering from a severe ankle injury Dr. V was able to help me heal and return back to work completely to a job where I stand for 12 hours a day. The office is very clean and I appreciated the reminders of my appointments via phone call and through text. The patient portal made it easy for me to access all my documents including work notes. The office staff is wonderful and Rebecca was able to schedule me with a busy schedule and awesome at answering all of my questions including referring me to a great physical therapy office. I highly recommend this office to anyone who’s looking for knowledgeable and kind orthopedic office.
Elizabeth Birchwell
21:31 28 Jan 21
The staff here are great, I was seen at the time of my appointment and was well taken care of!
Shaun Berry
18:14 07 Jan 21
They are an excellent practice. The front and back office people are amazing and so helpful. Rebecca is such a kind and understanding person. I had an issue with paperwork and she cleared it right up. Dr. Karkare is very knowledgeable, helpful, and caring.
Matt S.
19:31 18 Nov 20
Rebecca K. - What a true burst of sunshine. Very friendly and definitely an asset to the practice!
Laura Aston
18:17 17 Nov 20
Great experience, the Doctor is nice but the staff is incredible. I worked with Linda, who was profession and assisted me beyond what any person has done at other practices. Complete Ortho should be complimented for having such a person on their staff.I highly recommend this place!!!
Joe Allen
17:26 17 Nov 20
Linda and Becca they are so good ever time I come they are very nice I would tell everyone I no to come to this office..
Barbara Victor
16:45 17 Nov 20
I was rear ended in an auto accident , Dr Vashka was recommended by a friend of mine .I was experiencing Back , neck , and shoulder pain . After a thorough examination and given exercises to do at home , I am feeling much better , and I ended up avoiding surgery . The staff at Complete Ortho is extremely attentive and show great care when making an appointment and are very friendly and i never waited more than 5 minutes for my appointment . So I would strongly recommend Complete Orthopedics for any aches and pains that one might be experiencing.....
Bill Becht
04:44 17 Nov 20
It was the afternoon of Friday Sept. 24. We were in Pt. Jefferson and my wife, Mary Ann, broke her hip. We went to Mather Hospital and it was determined that she would have to have an operation to have it repaired. This would be her third time under the knife in the past year. It just so happened that we were very fortunate enough to have Dr. Karkare, who was on standby, perform the surgery. He put in a rod and two screws in her hip. She spent a few days in the hospital and then went to Gurwin rehabilitee for another few weeks.It has now been almost six weeks and we both worked the election the other day. If it wasn’t for Dr. Karkare’s expertise she never would have been able to work. She is able to walk with a walker and is doing physical therapy three times a week.We can not thank the doctor enough for the compassion and dedication that he puts into his work. It allows Mary Ann do the things that she likes to do, even on a limited basis for a while. I know that with her will, perseverance and the great work that the surgeon performed she will be back on her feet in no time.Sincerely:John V. PlumpEast Northport, NY 11731
Jack Harris
14:36 06 Nov 20
In the year of 2018 I was referred to Dr. Karkare because I was experiencing severe knee joint pain. After exhausting physical therapy and trying to labor through the pain, I had to make a quality of life decision. Total knee replacement was the only viable option. Dr. Karkare made my decision easy as he walked me through the whole process from surgery to recovery.On 12/13/19 ( Friday the 13th) I enter Lenox Hill Hospital in great hands. From the time I entered Dr. Karkare’s office for the first time until now, his staff has been amazing. Andrea the medical coordinator walked me through all the paper work and necessary preparations for the surgery. Courtesy and kind would be an understatement. Dr. Karkare went over and beyond from the wellness checks and phone calls all to assure me that I was important to him. This was the right decision no pain and no limp. Complete Orthopedics should be your choice!
Kenneth Randolph
22:18 25 Sep 20
Dr. Vadshka has a great bedside manner. He really takes his time and explains treatment options.
T Lee
12:33 09 Sep 20
I suffered with pain in both knees for years. My orthopedic doctor kept recommending knee replacement . I fought it for years, as I was just afraid. When I had no choice and could barely walk , it was recommended I see Dr. Karkare. We set up a consultation and my wife and I left his office feeling totally confident and comfortable with moving ahead with the surgery. He explained everything to us, and the office staff set everything up for us and made the process easy. So about one month after our initial meeting I had the first knee done. I was up walking mere hours after the surgery, and on the workout machines the next morning. I went home two days after the surgery, and yes walked my daughter down the aisle at her wedding only one week after the surgery without even a cane! Three months later I had the other knee done and went home the very next day. Dr. Karkare put my fears to rest . I would highly recommend him. His expertise gave me my life back. Thank you Dr. Karkare.SincerelyVito Congro
Ethel Congo
23:58 12 Aug 20
Dr Rhodin really cares for his patients. When I see him he makes sure to review my progress in detail.
Micki Cahill
15:03 08 Feb 20
My mom had a total hip replacement by dr karkare. He is the BEST orthopedic doctor.Her incision is almost invisable.She is going back for her other hip next week. The office staff is the best, love Andrea.You wont find a better doctor.
Ryan Brigandi
21:06 13 Jul 18
There is no better Orthopedic doctor you will find. Broke my ankle three places on a Saturday. Called Dr. Karkare. He had is team ready at the hospital and operated on me within 6 hours after my injury. Now After 3 months of great care by him and his staff, I am walking to normalcy.
Spacecom Tel
04:13 23 Mar 18
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I am fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery, metabolic bone disorders, sports medicine and trauma. I specialize in total hip and knee replacements, and I have personally written most of the content on this page.

You can see my full CV at my profile page.