The Responsibility of Claims Management for New York Workers’ Compensation

Every year, thousands of workers in New York are injured on the job.  According to New York law, employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to offer protection for injured employees.  After an injury, an employee will either return to work immediately or decide to go through the complex system of workers’ compensation.  Workers’ compensation provides compensation to injured workers by paying benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages.  It is also designed to help employers avoid lawsuits. 

Employers are involved, whether they realize it or not, in the management of workers’ compensation claims.   It is the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe working environment and to establish safety programs to minimize the risk of job-related accidents.  Employers should help employees navigate through the complicated workers’ compensation medical system, instead of leaving workers on their own to figure out the appropriate steps. 

Insurance agents also participate in claims management and the actions they take can impact the effectiveness of claims management.  Many insurance agents are only actively involved in the beginning, when they are selling the workers’ compensation coverage to the employers, but do not follow through with further assistance.  The failure to monitor workers’ compensation claims, including the status, reserves and subrogation, can negatively impact claims management.

Unfortunately, it is the employees who suffer when it comes to managing workers’ compensation claims.  Workers’ compensation claims are sometimes denied, even when there is a valid injury or illness that occurred, which was caused by performing the required job duties.  If you have been injured on the job and have been denied workers’ comp benefits, you need to contact an experienced New York workers’ compensation attorney.  Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. has been representing injured workers with workers’ compensation claims since 1933.  Call (866) 205-2415 for a legal consultation.

The article, Who is Responsible for Managing Workers’ Compensation Insurance, has more information on this topic.