NY Workers CompensationAccording to a recent investigation by New York-based non-profit Propublica, the landscape of workers’ compensation has quickly shifted under workers’ feet as legislators, insurers, and employers have sought different ways to escape costly payouts. One by one, up to 33 states have passed new laws and regulations to cut down workers’ rightful benefits and set up ever-more difficult roadblocks in the claims process.

The declining workers’ compensation system is no more apparent than in the stark disparity between each state’s allotted benefits – divided up by body part and extent of the injury, in many cases. For example, if a construction worker loses an arm in a worksite accident in New York, s/he could potentially receive a maximum of $252,299 in coverage, whereas a worker with a similar injury in Alabama could only receive a maximum of $48,840.

Unfortunately, the maximum benefits an employee may receive after a work injury reflects only an ideal situation. A recent report from the Department of Labor found that employers are likely to pay only about 20 percent of an injured employee’s full benefits. The medical costs, lost wages, rehabilitation, and other expenses related to a work injury or illness still largely come out of the injured workers and their families’ pockets.

If you or a family member has been injured or developed an illness while on the job, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced work accident lawyer to help you determine the best plan of action for receiving your fair share of workers’ comp benefits. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we make it a top priority to get our clients the full and fair financial compensation they need and deserve. For a free and comprehensive consultation about your rights and options, call (212) 986-7353 today.

Posted in: Work Injury