Most employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This includes full-time and part-time workers, as well as seasonal and temporary workers.
New York Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Safeguard your workforce and your business with essential workers’ compensation insurance in New York, giving you peace of mind and protection when it matters most.
Understanding workers’ compensation insurance in NY
Workers’ compensation insurance provides vital coverage and protection for both employers and employees in the event of a workplace injury or illness.
It’s mandatory insurance coverage in the state of New York if you have one or more employees.
Workplace incidents are all too common in New York — don’t get caught without protection against them. Call HCP today for an insurance quote in NYC or any other community where you do business.
What is workers’ compensation insurance?
Workers’ compensation insurance protects both employers and employees. This coverage can also help protect employers if one their employees decide to ever file a claim for negligence or other legal issues related to their injury or illness.
It can pay out when an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their work, providing financial support in the form of medical expenses and lost wages.
It can cover:
- disability benefits
- legal fees
- wage replacement
- vocational rehabilitation
With workers’ compensation insurance, small business owners can rest assured their employees are protected in the event of an injury or illness related to the workplace. This insurance is also necessary to remain compliant with New York State’s laws. Without it, employers could be subject to fines and other penalties.
Typical risks covered by workers’ compensation insurance
Get to know the different ways your workers’ compensation insurance can protect your business and your employees from a variety of risks.
Workplace injuries
Workplace injuries occur while an employee is performing their job duties. Two common examples are slips and falls and being hit by falling objects.
Repetitive motion injuries
These injuries include those resulting from performing the same physical task repeatedly. A well-known example is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Illnesses or diseases
This includes illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous materials or environments, such as respiratory problems caused by exposure to asbestos. It can also include occupational diseases like hearing loss from working in a noisy environment.
Mental health conditions
This includes mental health conditions like depression or anxiety caused by work-related stress.
Death benefits
In the unfortunate event an employee dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness, workers’ compensation insurance provides death benefits to their dependents.
Choose HCP Insurance for NY workers’ compensation insurance
With HCP’s extensive experience and commitment to client satisfaction, we make securing workers’ compensation insurance a seamless and reliable process.
Who needs workers’ compensation insurance?
If an employer only has a single employee, they must have workers’ compensation insurance in order to comply with New York State law. Companies that are found not to be incompliance with these laws can face legal consequences or even be shut down, so be sure to get an insurance quote no matter how many employees you have.
There are a few industries in New York that face particularly high workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits in recent years. They include:
- Healthcare industry
- Construction firms
- Manufacturing
- Retail operations
- Transportation
Examples of workers’ compensation claims this insurance can cover
Workers’ compensation risks in healthcare
In recent years, the healthcare industry in New York has had many workers’ compensation claims due to its physical demands.
For example, let’s say John, a nurse in a hospital in New York, hurt his back while helping move a patient from a bed to a wheelchair.
He visited a doctor and was diagnosed with a herniated disk requiring surgery and several weeks of physical therapy.
And because John’s injury occurred while he was performing his job duties, he was eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim and receive financial support from the hospital’s insurance provider.
Workers’ compensation risks in construction
Workers’ compensation claims are also common in the construction industry due to the physical demands of the job. Construction is big business in NYC and across the state, so insurers see these types of claims fairly frequently.
For example, let’s say one day while working on an NYC high-rise building, Bob fell from a ladder and landed on the ground, suffering a broken leg, several fractured ribs, and a head injury. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery and was hospitalized for several weeks.
Because Bob’s injury occurred while he was performing his job duties as a construction worker, he was eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim and receive benefits to cover his medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing treatment.
Workers’ compensation risks in manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities in New York face unique workers’ compensation risks due to heavy machinery, repetitive motions, and exposure to hazardous substances.
For example, if an employee like Sarah gets injured while operating a machine in NYC, workers’ compensation insurance will cover her medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of her lost wages.
This insurance plays a crucial role in supporting injured employees and protecting manufacturing businesses in New York by ensuring compliance with state regulations and mitigating financial risks associated with workplace injuries.
Workers’ Compensation is a No-Fault System
While there are a few exceptions, workers in New York State can make worker’s compensation claims whether or not the accident was their fault or their employer’s. Worker’s comp insurance is mandatory for all employers in NY, so it doesn’t matter if you made a mistake that led to your injury. New York law is clear that this coverage is intended to help employees meet their expenses when they get injured on the job, so they will not be required to prove whose fault the accident was as a condition of receiving their benefits.
Workers' Compensation Insurance Exclusions
As we mentioned, some exceptions will prevent you from receiving worker’s comp benefits even under New York State’s no-fault system. For example, if your employer can prove that you intentionally injured yourself, you will not be eligible for benefits. Likewise, if there is evidence that you were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs when you were injured, or that your injury came as the result of a personal dispute between yourself and another employee, you will not be eligible to receive benefits from your employer’s worker’s comp insurance in NY state.
Get a Worker’s Compensation Insurance Quote Today!
If you are an employer in New York State, you are required to have worker’s compensation insurance. HCP works with companies all over NY to help them find the coverage they need. Operating your business out of compliance with the law could result in it being shut down, so call us today for a quote on worker’s comp insurance or any other type of coverage you may need to protect your business. Even if you have existing coverage, we may be able to save you money by finding a different insurer or policy. We can also assist you in finding affordable professional liability insurance in NYC and in other communities in the Empire State.