July 1, 2025

How Are Workers’ Compensation Payments Calculated in New York?

Suffering a workplace injury can leave an employee feeling confused and vulnerable. Many have questions about the New York workers' compensation program. Injured workers wonder how compensation covered payments get calculated. A workplace injury can quickly throw an employee into a downward financial spiral without money for medical expenses and lost wages. That’s why understanding workers' compensation payments calculation is…

June 15, 2025

How an IME Affects Your Workers’ Comp Claim in New York

If you suffered injuries on the job and receive workers’ comp benefits, the insurer may require an objective medical review, an independent medical exam, or IME. An IME is an impartial medical evaluation by a doctor other than your treating physician. Your employer or the insurer selects this doctor to offer an opinion about the nature and extent of your…

May 1, 2025

Can I Choose My Own Doctor After a Workplace Injury in New York?

Are you wondering whether workers’ comp lets you choose your doctor after getting hurt at work in New York? The rules can change depending on your job, your employer’s insurance while at work, and how long it’s been since your first appointment. Making the wrong move when navigating workers' comp choose doctor options could put your medical care or benefits…

September 24, 2024

What Is a Permanent Partial Disability in Workers Comp?

If you suffer an occupational injury or illness that permanently alters your ability to work in New York, you could be entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. But what is permanent partial disability, and how do you claim PPD benefits? In the context of workers’ compensation, a permanent partial disability is a lasting injury that limits your ability to…

September 15, 2024

What Is Utilization Review in Workers’ Compensation?

Utilization review is a process in workers’ compensation cases where insurers evaluate medical treatment requests. These reviews aim to determine if a particular treatment is necessary. If you get hurt on the job, and your doctor suggests a specific treatment, your insurer will send a request to a utilization review agent. An independent medical professional then reviews the request to…

March 28, 2024

What are Permanent Disability Advances?

Have you been involved in a workplace accident in New York resulting in a permanent disability? If so, you’re likely facing some pressing financial challenges. And while workers’ compensation should provide benefits to help you cover expenses, it will take time to process and approve your permanent disability benefits. Some workers’ compensation programs offer permanent disability advances to applicants in these circumstances. While this…

March 21, 2024

Workers’ Compensation PTSD Presumption for Police Officers

Police officers and other first responders in New York often have frightening or stressful work experiences. Those experiences can result in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a serious mental health disorder. A “PTSD presumption” for police officers and similar workers essentially holds that because these types of jobs can easily cause PTSD, a police officer who is diagnosed with PTSD…

May 26, 2023

Can You Collect Both Workers’ Compensation And Retirement?

If you’ve spent decades building your career, a severe injury or illness is devastating, especially work-related ones. Not only do you have to pay for your medical treatments without a steady income, but you might also reach the point where retiring seems like a better option than continuing to work. But if you receive workers’ compensation for your injury…

April 1, 2023

Do I Have to Use My Sick Leave or PTO If I Get Injured at Work?

Sometimes, injured employees use their paid time off (PTO) hours when they miss work due to job-related injuries or illnesses. For some, using PTO is necessary to avoid financial strain while waiting for benefits to start. However, using sick leave and personal days might not benefit you if you are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. If you get hurt at…

March 15, 2023

Workers’ Compensation Benefits After Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement

Workers’ compensation can be confusing, especially with all the terms used to describe different milestones and stages of a claim. One of the most important terms to know about is maximum medical improvement (MMI). What Is Workers’ Compensation Workers’ compensation protects employees injured at work or those who contract a debilitating illness because of work conditions. For example, if you…