If you experience an injury or illness associated with your job, you can seek workers’ compensation benefits in New York. This program covers your medical bills and other costs of the illness or injury.
Review the answers to common questions about applying for and receiving New York workers’ comp.
Am I eligible?
If you work for a for-profit company in New York, the business must have workers’ compensation insurance under state law. This law also applies to certain nonprofit employers. You do not have to live in New York to receive benefits as long as you work in the state.
How do I apply?
You must tell your employer about the work-related illness diagnosis or injury as soon as you receive medical care. Keep track of all tests and treatments you receive along with the cost.
After notifying your employer, you file a claim through the New York Workers’ Compensation Board so you can receive compensation from the company’s insurance policy. You must provide comprehensive information and documentation about the type of injury or illness, recommended tests and treatments, your job, your wages, the circumstances surrounding the injury or illness, and whether you have already missed or expect to miss work.
When do I receive benefits?
The insurance policy will begin paying benefits for your approved illness or injury on the eighth day you miss work, or on the first day if you will be out for more than two weeks. You can receive disability benefits of up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages depending on the extent of the disability.
As for medical care, you can usually choose the doctor you see for workers’ comp treatments. However, he or she may need to preauthorize certain procedures.