For injured workers
How to file a New York workers' comp claim
Missing a deadline is the single most common way a valid claim gets denied. Here's the sequence — and the exact clock on each step.
- Tell your employer in writing within 30 days (WCL §18).
- File Form C-3 within 2 years of the injury (WCL §28).
- There's a 7-day waiting period — paid retroactively if disability lasts beyond 14 days.
- The old C-4 medical form is discontinued; providers now use CMS-1500 via OnBoard.
Get medical care immediately
In an emergency, see anyone. Otherwise use a WCB-authorized provider — tell them it's a work injury and give the employer/insurer names. You don't pay; the carrier does.
Notify your employer in writing — within 30 days
WCL §18. Put it in writing and keep a copy. Verbal notice is risky.
File the Employee Claim (Form C-3) — within 2 years
WCL §28. File online at wcb.ny.gov, by phone at (877) 632-4996, or by mail to PO Box 5205, Binghamton, NY 13902-5205. For an occupational disease, the 2 years runs from when you knew it was work-related.
Your employer files its report; the carrier responds
The employer files the C-2F; the Board indexes the case; the carrier either starts paying or files a Notice of Controversy to dispute it.
Track everything in eCase / OnBoard
The Board's online systems let you follow your case, documents, and hearings.
The deadline table
| Who | Must do | By when | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worker | Written notice to employer | 30 days | WCL §18 |
| Worker | File claim (Form C-3) | 2 years | WCL §28 |
| Worker (hearing loss) | File after leaving the noise | 3 months | WCL §49-bb |
| Employer | File injury report (C-2F) | 10–18 days | WCL §110 |
| Insurer | Begin first payment (>7 lost days) | ≈18 days | WCL §25(1) |
| Insurer | File Notice of Controversy | 25 days | WCL §25(2) |
| Any party | Appeal a judge's decision (RB-89) | 30 days | WCL §23 |
Key forms
All forms are on the Board's site at wcb.ny.gov under Forms. Many can now be filed online through OnBoard/eCase.
The life of a claim, start to finish
Every New York workers' comp claim moves through the same arc. Here it is end to end — the amber points are your hard deadlines.
The injury happens
Get medical care from a WCB-authorized provider (anyone in an emergency).
Notify your employer in writing
Required by WCL §18 — keep a copy.
File the Employee Claim (C-3)
The statute of limitations under WCL §28.
Employer files its report
The C-2F goes to the carrier and the Board.
The Board assembles/indexes the case
Parties are notified; the claim is now active.
Carrier pays or controverts
Payments begin, or the insurer files a Notice of Controversy to dispute.
Treatment & lost-wage checks
Weekly benefits continue while you are disabled and losing wages.
Maximum Medical Improvement
Your condition stabilizes; permanency is evaluated.
Permanency award is set
A Schedule Loss of Use award, or a non-schedule (LWEC) classification.
Hearings & appeals if disputed
A judge decides contested issues; either side can appeal within 30 days.
Section 32 settlement
A voluntary, Board-approved lump-sum can close the case.