New York Injured Workers: What Is Workers’ Compensation? | New York Injured Workers Attorney

Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that grants injured workers benefits if they are injured while on the job. The insurance premiums for Workers Compensation are paid by the employer in full - not the employee - and cover both on-the-job injuries as well as any sicknesses, illnesses, or conditions that a worker may have developed because of his or her job.

Workers compensation benefits are awarded based only on the fact that a worker was hurt on the job - not on what caused the accident or who was at fault. A worker will not receive more cash benefits if the company was more to blame in the on-the-job accident than the worker, and the worker will not receive fewer cash benefits if he or she played a part in the accident or was careless in some way. Workers compensation protects employees from lost wages and high medical bills and at the same time gives companies another initiative to keep their workplaces safe and regulated.

Workers may not receive workers compensation benefits if they were found to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their on-the-job accident. Workers may also not receive benefits if they were attempting to hurt themselves or others at the time of the accident. Workers who face long-term or permanent disabilities may receive long-tem workers comp benefits, while those who cannot return to their previous jobs may receive compensation for their difference in wages.

If an employer or an insurance company disputes a workers' compensation claim in New York, the case goes to court where it is reviewed by a workers' compensation judge. If you have been injured on the job and your workers compensation claim is being disputed, it is recommended that you speak with an experienced NY workers comp lawyer.