Workers Compensation

Workers compensation benefits provides medical treatment and partial and temporary income replacement for workers injured on the job and/or suffering from occupational illness.  The benefit amount is not reduced by the worker's carelessness nor increased due to the employer's negligence.  But, you cannot receive benefits if you were injured because you were drunk or intentionally injured yourself.

Immigrant Eligibility: The practice in New York is to provide workers' compensation to all workers regardless of immigration status.

• Maintain good records: keep copies of all paperwork related to your employment, injury, and medical treatment.

• Get medical treatment: If you are injured, get medical help.  If it is an emergency, go to the emergency room.  Make sure you tell the doctor that you were injured as a result of your job.  Doctors are required to fill out special forms for work-related injuries.  Give the doctor as much information as you can about your injury and how you were injured at work.  This will help the doctor to decide whether you need time off from work or anything else.

• Tell your employer: Tell your employer as soon as you are injured.  You may notify your employer verbally, but it is important to also tell him in writing.  Written notice should be provided within 30 days of the injury.  In some cases where your employer knew of the injury, you may still be eligible for benefits even if your written notice is more than 30 days after the injury happened.  Written notice should include: worker's name and address; time, place, nature and cause of the injury; worker's signature or the signature of the person writing on the worker's behalf.  You should deliver the letter in person or by registered mail.  Make a copy of the letter for your own records.

Workers' Compensation Board
P.O. Box 5205
Binghamton, NY 13902-5205
1-800-877-1373