Work, Pay & Leave Rights · Surprise rank #422
Hurt at Work in New York? Workers’ Comp Can Pay Medical Care and Part of Lost Wages
New York Workers’ Compensation can cover authorized medical care and provide wage-replacement benefits when a qualifying work injury or occupational illness keeps you from working.
Who
Workers covered by New York Workers’ Compensation who suffer a qualifying job-related injury or occupational disease.
What to do
Start here: Report the injury to the employer promptly, get appropriate medical care and file the workers’ compensation claim with the Board rather than assuming the employer handles everything.
Eligibility: The injury or illness must be work related and the worker/employer must fall within the system. Notice, medical evidence and claim deadlines apply.
What you get
The workers’ compensation system can pay medical treatment, lost-wage benefits and, in qualifying cases, survivor or disability-related benefits after a work-connected injury or illness.
Benefit: Authorized medical care plus partial wage replacement when the disability and time-lost rules are met.
Possible value: Medical costs can be covered and wage benefits are calculated from earnings and disability level, subject to statutory minimums/maximums; the total varies widely.
Good to know
Important: There is generally no lost-wage benefit for the first 7 days unless disability extends beyond 14 days. Filing deadlines matter; workers generally have up to 2 years to file a claim, with exceptions.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Workers may use sick time or personal insurance without realizing job-related injuries have a separate no-fault benefit system.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026