When a workplace injury turns your life upside down, workers’ compensation can be your financial lifeline. Medical bills, lost paychecks, and uncertainty about the future can make recovery overwhelming. But New York law provides important protections for injured employees — ensuring they receive care, income, and security during difficult times.

At WRKRS Law Firm, we believe every injured worker deserves to understand exactly what benefits they’re entitled to and how to claim them. For many, workers’ compensation is more than just financial help — it’s the key to healing, stability, and a return to normal life.

Let’s break down what benefits you can receive under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law, how they work, and how to make sure you get every dollar you’re owed.

Medical Benefits: Full Coverage for Treatment

When you’re injured at work, your employer’s insurance company is responsible for covering all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injury or illness.

This includes:

• Emergency room visits and hospitalization
• Doctor appointments and specialist consultations
• Surgery and physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment (crutches, braces, etc.)
• Rehabilitation or ongoing care

There are no deductibles or co-pays under workers’ comp. However, your care must come from a doctor authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

At WRKRS Law Firm, we make sure our clients receive timely treatment and that the insurance company pays medical bills in full — without unnecessary delays or disputes.

Wage Replacement Benefits: Getting Paid While You Heal

When your injury prevents you from working, workers’ compensation replaces a portion of your lost income through Temporary Disability Benefits.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll receive two-thirds (⅔) of your average weekly wage.
• Payments are capped at a maximum amount set by the state each year.
• The benefits continue while you are medically unable to work.

For example, if your weekly income was $900, you may receive about $600 per week in benefits, depending on your doctor’s assessment.

There are two types of temporary benefits:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): You cannot work at all while recovering.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): You can work in a limited capacity or on light duty.

Our attorneys help ensure you receive the correct benefit rate and that payments start promptly — because no one should have to fight for their paycheck while recovering from an injury.

Permanent Disability Benefits: When Injuries Don’t Fully Heal

If your injury causes a permanent impairment, you may qualify for additional compensation. These benefits are based on the extent and location of your disability.

Common examples include:

• Loss of limb or mobility (arms, legs, hands, fingers)
• Permanent loss of hearing or vision
• Chronic back, neck, or nerve damage

New York law uses a schedule of benefits that assigns a specific number of weeks of pay based on the injury. For example, a worker who loses use of a hand may be entitled to 244 weeks of benefits.

The calculation process can be complex — and insurance companies often undervalue permanent disability claims. At WRKRS, we make sure your injury is properly evaluated by independent medical experts so you get the full compensation you deserve.

Vocational Rehabilitation: Help Getting Back to Work

For workers who can’t return to their previous jobs due to lasting injuries, the state offers vocational rehabilitation services.

These services include:

• Career counseling and job placement
• Skills retraining and certification programs
• Physical and occupational therapy to rebuild strength

The goal is to help injured employees transition into new employment that fits their abilities. Our firm helps clients connect with approved programs and ensures they continue receiving benefits while retraining.

Death Benefits: Support for Families After a Workplace Fatality

If a worker dies due to a job-related accident or illness, their dependents may be eligible for death benefits under New York workers’ compensation law.

These benefits include:

• Weekly cash payments equal to two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage
• Funeral and burial expenses (up to $12,500 in New York City and surrounding counties)

Eligible dependents include the worker’s spouse, minor children, and sometimes dependent parents.

Losing a loved one is devastating — and no amount of money can replace that loss. But these benefits can help families remain financially stable while they grieve and rebuild.

How WRKRS Law Firm Helps Maximize Your Benefits

The truth is, insurance companies don’t always play fair. They may delay medical authorizations, underpay benefits, or challenge permanent disability ratings. That’s where we step in.

At WRKRS Law Firm, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys:

• Review your claim to identify every potential benefit available.
• Ensure your medical care is fully covered without interruption.
• Verify that wage replacement is calculated correctly.
• Fight for fair permanent disability awards.
• Represent you in hearings or appeals if your benefits are denied or reduced.

We take pride in being the voice for injured workers — making sure no one gets pushed around by insurers or employers.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Many workers assume that filing for benefits is simple, but the system is full of technicalities. Missing deadlines, using an unauthorized doctor, or misunderstanding benefit calculations can cost you thousands of dollars.

Having an attorney ensures your claim is handled properly from day one. At WRKRS, we guide you through the entire process, from your first doctor’s visit to the final settlement, explaining every step along the way.

You focus on recovery — we handle the rest.

Your Benefits. Your Rights. Your Future.

You’ve worked hard to earn your living. If you’re hurt doing your job, you deserve protection — not red tape.

At WRKRS Law Firm, we make sure injured workers across New York get the medical care, income replacement, and long-term support they need to rebuild their lives.

If you or someone you love has suffered a workplace injury, call WRKRS today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your options, handle the paperwork, and fight to recover everything you’re entitled to — with no fees unless we win.

Because at WRKRS, you’re not just another file — you’re the reason we fight.