- March 7, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Work Injury
There’s good news for injured New York workers — the New York workers’ compensation minimum weekly payments increased at the end of 2023. The new increase means that workers injured on the job in New York qualify for higher weekly workers’ comp payments.
However, all New York workers should understand what the process of recovering fair workers’ compensation benefits entails and how a New York work injury lawyer can get the most out of your workers’ comp claim.
New York Workers’ Compensation Minimum Weekly Payments Increased
In September 2023, Governor Hochul signed a bill increasing the minimum weekly amounts paid out for both temporary partial disability and permanent partial disability. The last New York workers’ compensation increase occurred back in 2013.
To better protect workers’ rights, the New York minimum weekly payment for workers’ compensation has been increased from $600 to $1,100 per month, with additional increases planned for the next two years.
At the last increase in 2013, the weekly minimum was raised to $150, where it remained for just over a decade. The new minimum increase went into effect on January 1, 2024, with the minimum amount raised to $275 per week for injured workers.
If you’re currently receiving workers’ comp benefits in New York or you’ve been injured and need to file a claim, the new weekly minimum means you can expect higher missing wage payments than were available in the past.
Call Tucker Lawyers, PC today at (516) 399-2364 to learn how our New York workers’ compensation lawyers can help you recover the work injury compensation you need.
Workers’ Compensation Minimum Payments Are Based on New York State Average Weekly Wage
Payment Increases Will Continue Until 2026
The current increase raises the previous minimum amount by $125 per week or $500 per month. At the new weekly rate of $275, injured New York workers can expect to receive a minimum of around $1,100 each month, as opposed to the previous monthly minimum of only $600. However, this recent increase isn’t the only one injured New York workers have to look forward to. The workers’ comp minimum payment increases will continue until 2026.
The scheduled increases will follow the schedule outlined in the bill:
- $150 per week in 2023
- $275 per week in 2024
- $325 per week in 2025
- One-fifth the average weekly wage in 2026.
The dollar amount increase for 2026 has not yet been set. Instead, the minimum wage will be considered at that time and used to further adjust the mandatory minimum payment.
The new workers’ compensation minimum payments are based on New York state average weekly wage rates. The New York state minimum wage in 2024 is set at $16 per hour. The increase is intended to better protect workers’ rights, with the minimum increase better reflecting the current minimum wage rate. When the previous rate of $150 was set in 2013, the state minimum wage sat at $8 per hour — half of what it is today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Filing a workers’ comp claim is a complex process that naturally leads to many questions. The new changes usher in additional questions for injured New York workers hoping to obtain the workers’ comp coverage they need after a workplace injury.
Why should I call a New York workers’ compensation lawyer?
Anytime you’re injured on the job in New York, you should take the time to consult a workers’ comp lawyer. A lawyer can handle the claims process for you. This saves you from costly mistakes and denials. A lawyer might be able to negotiate a higher workers’ comp payment for you.
Hiring a lawyer also saves you from the stress of trying to figure out the workers’ comp claims process yourself at the same time you’re receiving medical care and recovering from your injuries.
Can a New York workers’ comp lawyer help increase my workers’ comp payments?
Working with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer can potentially leave you with a higher workers’ comp payment amount. A lawyer knows how to submit the right evidence proving the extent of your injuries, and they also know how to negotiate to increase the overall workers’ comp payment amount or length of coverage.
How long do I have to consult a New York workers’ comp lawyer?
You should consult a New York workers’ comp lawyer as soon as you’re injured on the job. According to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, you risk losing out on getting workers’ compensation if you don’t report the injury within 30 days.
How much does a New York workers’ compensation lawyer charge?
When you work with the New York workers’ comp lawyers at Tucker Lawyers, PC, you don’t pay anything unless we win your claim.
Tucker Lawyers, PC offers free consultations so you can learn more about your options and receive answers to additional questions at no charge.
Our New York Workers’ Comp Lawyers Are Ready to Help
Get Help With Your Workers’ Comp Claim Today
New York workers’ comp claims are complicated, and many factors can influence how much money you recover through workers’ comp. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the New York workers’ comp claims process alone.
Tucker Lawyers, PC is a New York personal injury firm with over 30 years of experience fighting for injured New York workers. Our skilled workers’ comp attorneys know how to successfully fight for workers’ rights, protecting your financial interests during the workers’ comp claims process.
Call (516) 399-2364 today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced New York workers’ compensation lawyer at Tucker Lawyers, PC.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]