One Seriously Hurt After Car Crashed Into Store on Church St in Chatham, NY

Chatham, NY (October 2, 2026) – An 82-year-old woman drove her Honda Civic into a Stewart's Shops convenience store at 30 Church Street in the Village of Chatham on Thursday, October 1. 

Chatham Fire Rescue said they were called to the scene at around 10 a.m. According to early reports, the woman was pulling into a parking space when the car accelerated through it and hit the front and side of the building.

A 40-year-old employee was in the restroom when the car struck that part of the building. She became pinned inside. Emergency units freed her and took her to Albany Medical Center.

Reports describe her injuries as serious but not life-threatening. The driver was unharmed. 

The store will stay closed while repairs are made. The investigation into the wreck remains open. 

Our thoughts are with the employee as she recovers.

How Workers' Compensation Claims Work for Employees in Chatham, NY

After an accident in the workplace, the first problem many injured workers face is timing, not paperwork. Under New York's Workers' Compensation Law, an employee generally must tell the employer about a work injury within 30 days and file a claim with the Workers' Compensation Board within two years. 

If an employee misses those windows, it can complicate a claim, so a written report to a supervisor and a note of the date can matter later. 

Workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so benefits generally do not depend on who caused the injury. Covered benefits typically include authorized medical treatment and partial wage replacement, usually about two-thirds of average weekly wages up to a yearly state maximum. 

Some workers also receive additional payments if an injury leaves a lasting impairment. The tradeoff is that the system generally bars an employee from suing the employer for pain and suffering.

A different path may exist when someone other than the employer contributed to the injury, such as a contractor, an equipment manufacturer, a property owner, or directly another person. Third-party claims of that kind can seek damages workers' compensation does not cover, including pain and suffering. New York generally allows three years to file one, depending on the facts.

In these cases, a workers' compensation attorney can look at who else may share responsibility, check the deadlines, and explain how a workers' compensation lien may affect a settlement.

If you have been involved in a work accident that has raised questions about workers' compensation deadlines or other claims, our team at Metro Law is available to talk you through them. 

Our team can review your case and guide you through the legal avenues that may be open to you under New York law. Call Metro Law at (800) 469-6476 to go over your questions and learn more.