Defending Small Businesses

Defending Against Workers' Compensation Claims

Assisting Small Businesses in New York City • Long Island • Westchester County

At the Klein Law Group, we understand the stresses small business owners are under in New York. We are a small family business ourselves, subject to the same laws and financial stresses you are.

We are also strong advocates for small businesses, fighting to protect your company and your future if you have run afoul of New York workers' compensation laws. Our workers' comp defense attorneys have been successful in getting penalties and assessments reduced and even rescinded altogether. Although we can never guarantee a particular result, we offer a free consultation, so that you will understand exactly what you are facing and what we can do to help.

Contact our New York or Ridgewood law office or call toll-free 1-800-579-8881 to schedule an appointment. You do have rights and we will see that those rights are protected.

New York Workers' Compensation Law

If you own a business in New York, no matter how large or small, you must carry workers' compensation insurance (unless you are in an exempt industry). If the state finds out that you are operating a business without workers' comp insurance, you face substantial penalties and assessments from the Workers' Compensation Board. You also face criminal charges. In other words, it will be costly and damaging to you and your business.

How Employers Run Into Trouble

It could happen in a number of ways:

• An employee or a person who alleges he or she was your employee reports to the state an injury caused by an accident at your workplace.
• Someone reports you to the state for not carrying insurance.
• The state investigates you itself and discovers you do not have workers' compensation insurance.

You will receive a notice of penalty or assessment, a collection notice, or a judgment lien from civil court as an "uninsured employer" or citing "no workers comp insurance." Penalties and assessments can total tens of thousands of dollars. And the state will hold you personally responsible for any benefits they pay out to an injured worker.

You May Have a Defense… You Do Have a Defender

You need a lawyer with a good understanding of New York workers' compensation law to defend your case or negotiate on your behalf.

If you are in an exempt business, then the charges against you are not be valid and we will work to have the criminal charges dropped and the penalties withdrawn.

If you were supposed to have insurance, but didn't, News York workers' compensation law judges do have the power to rescind orders. We will fight to have the penalties against you reduced or withdrawn by the State of New York Compliance Unit.

Learn more about how the Klein Law Group can help you. Contact us to schedule an appointment.