Edge cases that matter
Special New York workers' comp situations
Repetitive-strain injuries, a boss with no insurance, COVID-19, volunteer first responders, fraud on both sides. The situations that don't fit the standard accident claim — and how New York handles each.
Repetitive & long-latency injuries
Carpal tunnel, asbestosis, hearing loss and the like are covered like accidents. The 2-year clock runs from the date of disablement or when you knew it was work-related — not first symptoms.
The Uninsured Employers Fund
If your employer illegally had no coverage, you can still get paid: the Board assigns the UEF to cover you, then chases the employer for reimbursement and penalties. How a UEF claim works →
No special presumption
NY has no COVID-specific rule; it's judged as an occupational disease. Compensable if your job put you at elevated exposure risk (e.g., front-line health care) beyond the general public.
Volunteer firefighters & EMS
Covered under parallel laws (VFBL / VAWBL), not the general WCL — with their own benefit structure (e.g., a $50,000 line-of-duty death benefit).
Both sides are watched
The Workers' Comp Fraud Inspector General pursues claimant fraud (working while collecting) and employer fraud (no coverage, payroll under-reporting, misclassification). Report at ig.ny.gov.
The Board went paperless
Since 2022, prior-authorization requests for meds, equipment and treatment run through the Board's online OnBoard platform — faster decisions, electronic filing.