How To File A Workers' Compensation Claim in White Plains, NY

Notify your employer

In order to be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you need to notify your employer that you got sick or injured at work. The deadline to tell your employer about your work-related injury or illness is 30 days from the date of the accident, but it’s best not to wait that long. The sooner you notify your employer, the sooner you can get the workers’ compensation process moving.

To report your work injury, you need to tell your supervisor or manager, not just a coworker. If your employer has a process for reporting work injuries, follow it; if not, simply inform your supervisor as soon as possible. It’s also best to do this in writing so that you have a record.

Get medical attention

Seek immediate medical attention. If your work injury is a medical emergency, go to White Plains Hospital Emergency Room or another nearby medical facility. If it’s not an emergency, you still need to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and document your injuries. In general, you can see any doctor approved by the Workers’ Compensation Board to treat work injuries, with some restrictions if the workers’ comp insurance company has a preferred provider organization (PPO).

This is the best option for your health, and it also protects your rights in the workers’ compensation process. Seeing a doctor creates a record of your work injury that you can use to support your claim.

Contact a lawyer

The sooner you talk to a New York workers’ compensation attorney, the better. They can explain the legal options available to you and what steps to take next. The verified New York workers’ compensation lawyers listed on Law.com have the knowledge, skills, and drive you need to succeed.

Your employer’s deadline

After you tell your employer about your work-related injury or illness, they have 10 days to notify their workers’ compensation insurance company. They must do this if you need follow-up medical care or have missed work for at least one day beyond the day you were hurt at work. Your workers’ compensation attorney can make sure your employer is taking this important step.

Your employer’s insurance company deadline

After your employer notifies your company’s workers’ compensation insurance company, the insurance company has 14 days to provide you with a Statement of Rights (Form C-430S), which explains any requirements related to diagnostic medical testing or using the pharmacy. Again, if you’re not sure what to do, your New York workers’ compensation lawyer can deal with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company on your behalf.

The official form for filing for workers’ compensation in New York is Form C-3. If your work injury happened at a specific moment in time, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file your Form C-3 with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. If you have a work-related injury or illness that occurred over a period of time, the deadline to file Form C-3 is more complicated. An attorney can explain the legal deadlines that apply in your situation.

Follow your doctor’s instructions

Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions related to your work-related injury or illness. This serves several purposes. First, you will hopefully recover faster from your injury or illness. Second, there will not be any doubts about whether you are actually hurt or sick as a result of something that happened at work. If you ignore your doctor’s advice, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company might deny your claim on the grounds that you’re not actually injured or sick.

Document your health

Along with following your doctor’s instructions, keep track of your health and progress (or lack of progress) after your work-related injury or illness. Are you running a fever? Are you in pain? Can you not move certain parts of your body? Do you have any noticeable scars or wounds? Write all this down or take pictures if necessary. Such evidence can help strengthen your workers’ compensation claim and any other legal action you may be able to pursue.

The verified New York workers’ compensation attorneys listed on our website have your best interests at heart. Their goal is simple – to help you get the benefits and support you need when you need it most. The road to recovery can be long and difficult. But when you have a lawyer you can trust on your side, you can be sure that they’re doing everything they can.

You have enough to worry about. Hiring the right workers’ compensation attorney can give you confidence and peace of mind. Schedule your free consultation with a verified work injury lawyer serving White Plains, NY today.