After a workplace injury your goal, usually, is to protect your health and make sure you receive appropriate medical treatment covered by the state's workers' compensation system.
Common worksite injuries include sprains, strains, tears, soreness, pain, bruises, contusions, cuts, lacerations, punctures, bone fractures, and bone breaks—but generally speaking, any reasonable treatment you need for an injury or illness you develop within the scope of your work should be covered by workers' comp.
To access New York's Workers' Compensation insurance system, you have to prove your injuries to a government board and go through the state's application process, which can get complicated.
This may sound intimidating, but with the right medical attention and support, you can do it. There are also steps you can take right away after a job site accident to strengthen your claim.
What to do after a workplace injury in New York
The following are some tips you should know if you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident.
Notify your employer
You have 30 days from the date of injury to inform your company about your work-related injuries or illnesses. You must notify them in writing. Your employer witnessing the injury or discussing it on the phone with you is not enough. For your claim to succeed, you need to write a notice to your employer that includes exact details about what happened.
Is there a PPO?
Find out if your employer has a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). These are the in-network physicians and hospitals covered by insurance. You will want to schedule an appointment with one of the in-network doctors for initial treatment. This way, the workers' compensation system can be satisfied that you were examined early on by one of their own. In fact, if you don't see one of their medical professionals first, it could ruin your claim. The exception is for emergency medical services. Always get the emergency medical attention you need right away.
Find the right doctor
Once you have your initial appointment with the workers' compensation insurance provider's PPO, you can choose your own doctor for treatment. You will want to see a physician who is authorized by the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, otherwise, your claim could be denied. Not just any authorized doctor will do. Your best bet is an established NYC doctor who knows how to conduct the right tests and examinations and how to file the appropriate documents, with the right people and before the mandated deadlines.
Submit a workers' comp claim
File a C-3 Employee Claim Form with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board to apply for workers' compensation insurance. You have up to two years to file for workers' compensation benefits (but the sooner you file, the better).
Jobs reporting the most workplace injuries
While every job has its risks, some positions and industries run higher risks than others, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nursing assistants, for example, report the most workplace injuries—280 injuries or illnesses are reported per 10,000 full-time nursing assistants, the BLS says.
Other occupations that often report high numbers of workplace injuries and illnesses include:
- Heavy tractor-trailer and truck drivers
- Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers by hand
- Light truck drivers
- Construction laborers
- General maintenance and repair workers
- Stockers and order fillers
- Janitors and cleaners
- Registered nurses
- Retail salespeople
Discover your treatment options with our NYC workers' compensation doctors
If you were injured on the job in New York, notify your employer and then seek medical attention right away to learn your treatment options and protect your health.
At Island Musculoskeletal Care (IMC Bone Doc), our doctors are certified to handle work-related injuries covered by New York workers' compensation insurance. Our doctors understand how the workers' compensation system works and are experienced in helping people injured on the job. Altogether, our doctors have more than 100 years of combined medical experience.
Schedule an appointment with IMC Bone Doc at one of our New York City or Long Island offices, including those in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Deer Park, Patchogue, Queens, Shirley, and Valley Stream.
