Accidents can happen in any workplace, and, unfortunately, some of these accidents lead to the hospitalization of an employee. It is likely that this hospitalized employee will be subject to significant medical bills, and that they will have to take time off work in order to recover, missing out on wages. This financial burden should never be placed on the employee, and this is why workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for the majority of workplaces in New York.
If you or your loved one had to spend time in the hospital as a result of a New York work injury, it is important that you understand how the law works to protect injured employees. Taking action soon after the injury is important for the purpose of successfully gaining compensation.
How should I start the process of gaining compensation?
Your employer should be notified of the injury as soon as possible. As an employee, you have the responsibility to report the injury to your employer as soon as is reasonably possible. After your report the injury, you employer must fill in a “First Report of Injury” form. They should also provide you with a workers’ compensation form, and they are obligated to do this under to law.
What types of expenses will be subject to workers’ compensation coverage?
Many injured workers get worried about accepting medical treatment, because they are afraid that they will eventually have to pay for it themselves. However, as long as your circumstances make you eligible for workers’ compensation, all reasonable medical costs will be covered.
This means that all treatment you receive for the purposes of treating the injury, curing the illness or alleviating the symptoms, will be financially covered by workers’ compensation. In addition, you will be subject to temporary or permanent disability payments depending on the severity of your injury and the amount of time you spent unable to work. Any retraining or vocational rehabilitation will also be paid for when the services are necessary.
It is important that you are aware of your rights after a work injury in New York. By understanding what you are entitled to, you will be empowered to successfully make a claim.