Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical benefits for employees who have been hurt on the job. At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, our workers’ compensation lawyers know that being injured at work can create a significant financial burden and leave you wondering how you’ll pay your bills. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped injured workers in the greater New York City area get the benefits they need. Here, we explain workers’ compensation wage replacement benefits in New York and when you can expect to start receiving them if you’ve been hurt on the job.
Waiting Period for Wage Replacement Benefits
Depending on the nature of your injury and the period of time you’re out of work, New York workers’ compensation benefits for lost wages typically begin after a seven-day waiting period. This means you won’t be compensated for the first seven days you’re out unless your workplace injury or occupational disease lasts longer than 14 days. If your disability continues for more than 14 days, you may receive retroactive compensation for the first seven days.
There are unique circumstances in which the timing of wage replacement payments may differ, including those involving occupational diseases, hearing loss, and death benefits. In some cases, an employer or insurer may make voluntary advance payments before a claim is fully approved if an injury is obviously work-related.
Challenges That Can Delay Wage Replacement Payments
Although workers’ compensation benefits are intended to be paid in a timely manner, certain factors can cause claims to be denied or delayed, such as:
- Incomplete paperwork or missing information
- Lack of medical documentation or delays in submitting required medical information
- An employer or insurer disputing that the injury wasn’t work-related or questioning the severity of a disability
Making sure all forms and required information are complete, accurate, and properly submitted can help you avoid delays and denials. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in New York are well-versed in the process and ensure everything is submitted correctly and on time.
What to Do After a Workplace Injury
In New York, it’s vital to report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the incident. Letting them know as soon as possible, in writing, helps protect your rights and provides documentation of your workplace injury.
It’s also important to seek medical attention as soon as you can. Filing a workers’ compensation claim without seeing a healthcare professional first will result in a denial. A doctor’s report that provides details about your injury, work restrictions, and treatment is essential evidence for your claim. Once you’ve obtained medical documentation, promptly filing a claim with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board can help you get your wage replacement benefits in a timely manner.
Make sure to keep all documentation associated with your injury, including your employer notification, incident reports, medical bills, correspondence with the insurer, and receipts for all injury-related expenses. If your case is complex or you’re unsure of what to do, seeking the counsel of a workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your options and expedite the process.
How Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help
In addition to ensuring your claim is filed correctly and on time, our workers’ compensation attorneys work with your healthcare providers to gather and submit medical evidence, including detailed reports that verify the nature of your injury and how it affects your ability to work.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often delay or deny payments by claiming that your injury isn’t work-related or that you’re able to return to work. If your employer or their insurer disputes or denies your claim, we can help you resolve it, ask for an expedited hearing, and assist with further appeals if necessary.
We also handle negotiations with insurers to help you get the full wage replacement benefits you’re entitled to receive. If your employer insists you return to work early or threatens to terminate your employment, we ensure your rights are protected and help you hold them accountable.
Trust Our Team to Help You Get Wage Replacement Benefits Promptly
We understand that being hurt at work or suffering from an occupational disease can put you and your family in a precarious financial situation. We can evaluate your case and take swift action to help get your claim resolved so you can receive lost wage payments as soon as possible. As the largest workers’ compensation law firm in Staten Island, we’ve helped thousands of workers safeguard their health and financial security. With a proven record of success helping injured workers in the greater NYC area, hiring our workers’ compensation attorneys gives you the best chance of obtaining your benefits in a timely manner. Attorney and Partner Rolando Cubela is proud to serve our Spanish-speaking clients.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in the Greater New York City Area
Having an experienced attorney in your corner can help make the workers’ compensation claims process less stressful and enable you to get benefits as soon as possible. To learn more about how the workers’ compensation lawyers at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, can help with your claim or appeal call 718-273-9000 or contact us to schedule a consultation today.
