What Does New York Workers' Comp Cover?

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What Does New York Workers' Comp Cover?

Understanding New York Workers' Compensation Coverage

Workers' compensation insurance in New York is designed to help cover your medical bills, pay for some of your lost earnings, and assist you in getting back to work. If you meet the criteria to qualify, you can expect tax-free reimbursement and compensation for nearly every financial loss and expense related to your injury or illness.

In this blog post, we will break down the main components of what New York Workers' Compensation covers, including cash benefits, medical benefits, permanent disability, and death benefits.

Cash Benefits

If your injury or illness keeps you from working for more than seven days or results in you working fewer hours and earning less money, New York workers’ comp pays a portion of your lost wages in the form of cash benefits.

  • Temporary Total Disability: If you are 100% disabled and unable to work temporarily, you’ll receive two-thirds of your average pre-injury weekly wage.
  • Temporary Partial Disability: If you are partially disabled, the amount you receive will vary depending on your percentage of disability.

For more detailed information on how to calculate your weekly cash benefits, refer to my other video that breaks down the specifics of New York workers' comp payments.

Medical Benefits

All medical expenses related to your injury or illness are covered by your employer’s insurance. This includes:

  • Dental
  • Surgical
  • Optometry
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Assistive devices

If you need immediate medical attention after sustaining an injury, you can visit any health care provider, and your treatment will be covered. However, for ongoing care, ensure your doctor is authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board to have your expenses reimbursed.

Additionally, you can be reimbursed for travel expenses related to your treatment, such as mileage and public transportation. Remember to keep your receipts for these expenses.

Permanent Disability

Workers' comp also covers the permanent effects of an injury or illness.

  • Total Permanent Disability: If you are 100% disabled permanently, you may receive two-thirds of your average pre-injury weekly wage for the rest of your life.
  • Partial Permanent Disability: If you have a partial permanent disability, the payout is based on the injured body part and the percentage of disability.

Death Benefits

In the unfortunate event that a worker passes away due to a work-related injury or illness, their surviving spouse, minor children, and any dependents may receive death benefits. This amount is typically two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage for the previous year.

If there are no surviving heirs, the worker's estate might be eligible for a lump-sum payment of $50,000. New York workers' comp will also reimburse funeral costs up to a maximum amount.

Navigating Claims and Legal Support

It's important to note that just because all these costs and expenses are covered doesn’t guarantee that your claim will be approved or that you will be awarded the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies frequently deny claims or reduce benefits to save money.

For instance, one of my clients was initially looking at a payout of around $47,000. After working with me, we were able to secure $117,000—more than twice the original amount!

If you need to file a New York Workers’ Comp claim and want a lawyer who will fight for what you deserve, feel free to contact me at 212-406-8989 to schedule a free consultation. I can also assist with Personal Injury Matters, Social Security Disability, and Labor & Employment Issues.

Resource Links

For a detailed explanation on calculating cash benefits and permanent disability, watch the linked video here.

Stay informed and take the necessary steps to ensure you get the benefits you deserve.

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address

111 John Street
Suite 1615
New York, NY 10038

phone number

212-406-8989