What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Comp?
The purpose of workers’ compensation is to provide those who suffer from occupational diseases or work-related injuries with the necessary resources to support themselves and their families and to pay for any and all medical treatment that may be necessary to make the greatest possible recovery. The vast majority of businesses in New York City are required by state law to carry workers’ comp insurance, so if you were injured in an accident on the job, you are most likely entitled to receive benefits through this no-fault insurance program.
Workers’ Comp Medical Benefits
The benefits you can claim through workers’ compensation include reimbursement and payment for all of the medical care which is necessary for the treatment of your injury or illness. Coverage is not limited to emergency medical treatment and hospitalization, but can also include surgery, rehabilitative treatment and physical therapy, medication, equipment and even mileage for your travel to and from the doctor’s office. You may continue to receive treatment until you reach the maximum medical improvement, the point at which your condition is not expected to get any better even with further procedures and care. The goal is to restore you to your pre-accident condition as soon as possible.
New York City Workers’ Comp Disability Benefits
If your injury or illness has forced you out of work, or even if you can continue working but only in a limited capacity, you can claim cash benefits to enable you to make ends meet and support yourself and your family. The amount you may receive for your work-related injuries is generally calculated at a rate of two-thirds of your average weekly wage, and this figure is then multiplied by your disability rating. The disability rating is a numerical representation of the degree to which you are impaired, with total disability equating to a 100 percent rating. As an example, if you normally earn $1,000 per week and have been rendered fully disabled, your benefits may be calculated at $667 per week, whereas if you were assigned a disability rating of 50 percent, this figure would be reduced to $333.
Death Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation
In the event that you have lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident or as a result of a terminal occupational illness, your family may be entitled to recover death benefits at a rate of two-thirds of the decedent’s average weekly wage over the past year, in addition to as much as $6,000 in payment for funeral and burial expenses. No amount of money can replace your tragic loss, but death benefits can at least soften the economic impact and make it easier for you to move on.
How A New York City Workers’ Comp Attorney Can Help
If you are serious about maximizing the amount you can receive in your workers’ compensation claim, contact us now at The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny for a free case evaluation to tell us your story and to discuss your options for pursuing benefits. We have recovered more than $100 million for our clients, and we are ready to take immediate action on your case.
Hiring a New York City personal injury attorney can be of enormous benefit in a workers’ compensation claim since it gives you the assistance of a dedicated advocate who knows how to get results in working with the system and who is willing to fight for you. For example, your attorney may be able to help by disputing the disability rating which your doctor assigned in the event that it is lower than it should be, as well as working to ensure the insurance company pays for all of the medical care which you need. Many workers’ comp claims are wrongfully reduced or denied, and you owe it to yourself to do everything you can to protect your right to coverage.
