Workers' compensation benefits

Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides cash benefits or medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. For more information about workers’ compensation in New York, visit the state government page on workers' compensation.  

First, obtain the necessary medical treatment as soon as possible from a health care provider authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board.

Next, notify your supervisor in writing about the injury or illness and how it occurred. Provide written notification to your employer as soon as possible, but within 30 days. If you fail to notify your employer within 30 days after the date of injury, you may lose your rights to workers' compensation benefits.

Finally, file a claim for benefits. For more details about this process, visit the state government's page on how the workers' compensation system works. 

You can visit and search a database of authorized health care providers at the Workers’ Compensation Board. 

Visit the Workers' Compensation Board's page about how to choose an authorized health care provider and use the search function.

You may also want to read the Workers' Compensation Board's general page on workers’ compensation health care benefits. 

A worker must file a form that requires the worker to provide some basic information to the Board about the ailment. Access the online C-3 Employee's Claim for Compensation.

Claims can also be filed by regular mail or sent to the board via email in digital form from the Worker's Compensation Board's main forms page. Visit the board's page for detailed directions on how to file a claim.

File this C-3 employee claim form to report your injury to the board as soon as possible. You must notify the board of your injury or illness within two years. If you injured the same body part before, or had a similar illness, you must also file a Limited Release of Health Information (Form C-3.3). You can also file claims in person at a   Claims can also be filed in person at the Workers’ Compensation Board office.

You will have a right to a hearing before an impartial administrative law judge who will determine your rights to benefits.

If the worker or employer is not satisfied with the judge's determination, either one may appeal that determination to a panel of the Worker's Compensation Board, which consists of three board members. Thereafter, either the employee or the employer can appeal the panel's decision to court.

For more information, visit the Worker's Compensation Board's page about the appeals process.

Though you may represent yourself, you have the right to be represented by an attorney or a licensed representative of your choosing. You visit the Worker's Compensation Board's page for more information on finding a representative.

If you retain an attorney or representative, do not the person directly. The fee will be fixed by the board and deducted from your award.