Workers’ Compensation Insurance Policy & Law in New York

How Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance Defined in New York?

Being a business owner in New York, a state bustling with commerce and fierce competition, is a big job. However, your impressive business acumen isn’t the only skill needed to protect your bottom line. Workers’ compensation insurance can help you protect your most important asset — your people — while also safeguarding you from liability. In New York, workers’ compensation is defined as a business insurance system that protects employers from liability for on-the-job injury or illness and provides the following benefits to the employer and/or the injured/ill employee:

  • Legal representation for the employer in the event of a lawsuit related to the workplace injury or illness
  • Payment of medical services needed to treat the employee’s job injury or illness
  • Temporary payments to the employee to help replace lost wages
  • Disability payments to the employee to compensate for permanent effects of the injury
  • Death benefits for the employee’s surviving dependents in the event of a fatal injury

Who Needs Workers’ Compensation Insurance in New York?

In New York, virtually all employers in the state must provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees, including all for-profit businesses and most non-profit organizations. Eligible employees are defined by New York state as a person who “performs under the supervision, direction, and control of an employer either on or off their premises.” Types of eligible employees include:

  • Workers in all employment positions conducted for-profit, including part-time employees, borrowed employees, leased employees, temporary employees, seasonal employees, family members, and volunteers working for a for-profit business
  • Employees of counties and municipalities engaged in work defined by the law as “hazardous”
  • Public school teachers, excluding those employed by New York City, and public school aides, including New York City
  • Employees of the State of New York, including some volunteer workers
  • Domestic workers employed 40 or more hours per week by the same employer, including full-time sitters or companions, and live-in maids
  • Farmworkers
  • Any other worker determined by the Board to be an employee and not specifically excluded from coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Law (WCL)
  • All corporate officers if the corporation has more than two officers and/or two stockholders
  • Officers of one- or two-person corporations if there are other individuals in employment. These officers may choose to exclude themselves from coverage.
  • Most workers who are compensated by a nonprofit organization

Employers must pay for this insurance and cannot require the employee to contribute to the cost of the coverage. The Workers’ Compensation Board is a state agency that processes all workers’ comp claims.

In New York, workers’ compensation cases are “no fault,” meaning that the amount that a claimant can receive for their claim can’t be decreased by their own carelessness, nor increased by their employer’s fault. However, workers’ compensation claims cannot be made if the injury results from intentional acts. Employers are also legally required to post notice of coverage in their place of business.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in New York?

In the event of a workplace injury or illness, New York workers’ comp insurance provides medical coverage and payments for lost wages and permanent disabilities. This can include temporary or permanent benefits. Workers’ compensation insurance covers all injuries or illnesses that happen in the course and scope of employment.

Medical care costs covered by New York workers’ comp include costs for medical care, dental care, surgical care, optometry, medically necessary drugs, and assistive devices. Except for emergency cases, the healthcare provider who treats the victim must be authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board to treat injured workers. Detailed information about what is covered medically by workers’ comp in New York can be found here.

Employees are also entitled to a portion of lost wages if their injury or illness affects them in one or more of the following ways:

  • It keeps them from work for more than seven days.
  • Their pay is reduced because they now work fewer hours or do other work.

Lost wage benefits are not paid for the first seven days of the disability unless it extends beyond 14 days. After 14 days, employees may receive lost wage benefits from the first workday they were unable to work.

How Does Workers’ Comp Work in New York?

If an employee is injured while on the job, they’re required to notify their employer as soon as possible. Unless it is an emergency, they must get treated by a healthcare provider approved by the state’s Workers’ Compensation Board.

As an employer, you might be wondering, “What steps should I take if an employee gets hurt?” Once notified of an incident, employers should provide the employee with the information needed to file their claim. In addition, employees should be sure to communicate with the insurer throughout the claims process. If you don’t believe your employee’s workers’ comp claim is valid, check with your insurer to see if the employee’s injuries meet the qualifications of a workplace injury. Read more about the workers’ comp claims process here.

Injuries other than minor injuries should be reported to the Workers’ Compensation Board and insurer within ten days of the incident. Once a claim is approved by the insurance provider, payments typically start within 18 days of the date the employee was injured or ten days after the employer was notified of the injury, whichever is later. If the insurer disputes the claim, a judge will review the case and determine what benefits, if any, the employee will receive.

What Do I Risk By Not Having Workers’ Comp Insurance Coverage in New York?

New York takes workers’ compensation violations very seriously. If the Board doesn’t have proof of coverage for a specific period of time, it will mail a notice to supply proof of coverage to the business. If a business fails to provide the proper documentation, the Board assumes the business is in violation of the WCL and will mail a penalty notice.

In New York, noncompliance penalties can amount to $2,000 for every 10 days spent without coverage. Typically by the time the employer receives the first penalty notice, their penalty can exceed $12,000. In addition, there are civil and criminal penalties that can be incurred as well.

Learn more about workers’ comp coverage requirements in states other than New York here.

What Types of Injuries Are Covered by New York Workers’ Comp?

New York state law determines exactly what types of injuries are covered by workers’ comp insurance, but there are general guidelines that can help employers understand what typically qualifies for a workers’ comp claim.

The types of injuries typically covered by workers’ comp are:

  • Injuries that are not the result of intentional self-harm or harm from drug use, alcohol use, or fighting
  • Injuries that fall within the general “course and scope” of the worker’s employment, such as long-term occupational injuries, including back strain from repetitive motion

For more information about the workers’ comp claim process, visit our learning center.

What Are Workers’ Comp Death Benefits in New York?

In the event that an injured or ill worker dies due to a work-related condition, that employee’s dependents (as defined by law) may file a claim to be reimbursed for funeral expenses. Funeral or memorial expenses by county are listed by the NYS WSB in two different reimbursement levels.

The state of New York defines dependents as:

  • A surviving spouse or the dependent child(ren) of the deceased
  • Dependent grandchildren
  • Dependent parents and grandparents
  • Dependent siblings
  • Non-dependent parents or the estate of the deceased if there is no surviving spouse or other dependent

For a complete definition of dependents, please visit WCB.NY.GOV.

Indemnity benefits, also known as lost wage benefits, are calculated and paid based on weekly earnings. The benefits are two-thirds the amount of the worker’s average weekly wage over the preceding 52 weeks before the worker’s passing. These benefits are tax-free and are paid up to the maximum benefit as defined by law on the date of the worker’s death. If there is no surviving spouse, minor children, or other dependents as defined by law who are entitled to compensation, the surviving parents or the estate of the deceased worker may be entitled to payment of $50,000.

How Do Workers’ Comp Settlements Work in New York?

Similar to other states, workers’ comp settlements in New York are mutually beneficial agreements between the injured or ill employee, the employer, and their insurer that close workers’ comp claims fully. Settlements, which must be approved by the state’s board, usually result in an agreed-upon amount being paid to the employee via either structured installments or a lump sum. In exchange for this settlement payout, the employee agrees to seek no additional benefits, claims, or lawsuits in relation to the closed claim in the future.

What Are the Statutes of Limitations Regarding Workers’ Comp in New York?

In New York, injured or ill workers have two years from the date of their injury or diagnosis of their illness to file a workers’ comp claim. The same can be said for surviving dependents who are seeking death benefits. Dependents have two years from the date of passing to file a death benefits claim.

How Much Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cost in New York?

Many factors unique to your business will be utilized to determine your exact workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

Some of these factors include:

  • The location of your business
  • The size of your business and the number of employees you have
  • The industry in which your business operates
  • The class codes that apply to your business
  • Your business’s workers’ comp claims history

Businesses can potentially decrease costs in New York by following the steps as outlined by the New York state website. Additionally, you can be proactive by prioritizing risk mitigation techniques. Insurance providers look highly upon businesses that take workplace safety seriously when calculating workers’ comp premium rates. Steps like enacting employee training sessions, following industry best practices, and creating safety protocols could possibly help lower your insurance premiums.

How Do I Get Workers’ Comp for My New York Business?

Those seeking workers’ comp coverage in New York can purchase a policy through any private insurance company, agent, or broker that is licensed to operate in the state. In addition, businesses have the option to self-insure; however, that requires enough capital to cover any and all costs associated with workplace injuries or illnesses without the help of insurance coverage. Luckily, getting workers’ comp coverage in New York can be hassle-free with the right private insurance provider.

Where Can I Get Workers’ Compensation For My New York Business?

We offer workers’ compensation to businesses no matter where you are in New York. If you are located in the Adirondack Mountains, the Buffalo Niagara Region, or Catskill Mountains, we’ll help you protect your New York employees.

If you need workers’ comp coverage for your New York business, you can purchase a policy through any private insurance company, agent, or broker that is licensed to operate in the state. So even if you aren’t in any of the following cities, know that we can still help you:

  • New York City
  • Buffalo
  • Yonkers
  • Rochester
  • Syracuse
  • Albany

Workers’ Comp Made Easy For New York Business Owners

Cerity is home to a faster, more affordable approach to workers’ comp. We aim to help New York business owners just like you get insurance premium quotes easily — without phone calls or a tedious process. Using proprietary tools and modern technology, we can provide business owners with quick quotes and instant policies. To get workers’ compensation insurance, check out our free online quote tool and begin protecting your New York business today.

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The information provided is intended to provide a general overview. This information is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Cerity® makes no warranties for the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the information provided, and will not be responsible for any actions taken based on the information contained herein. If you have legal questions or need legal advice, please consult an attorney.