Virtually all workers in the state of New York are covered by New York’s Workers’ Compensation statute (WCL § 1, et seq). Coverage under the statute is not optional—if you are an employee, you are covered, with only a very limited number of exceptions.

Suffering a workplace accident is not only painful physically, but it can be overwhelming mentally as well. After getting hurt, depending on the severity of the situation, you could find yourself dealing with the fact that you can’t go back to work. If you can’t work, then you aren’t making money. However, workplace accidents are not your responsibility as an employee. It’s up to your employer to ensure that they provide a safe environment and that you have everything necessary to complete your job in the most effective way.

For any employee that has had a slip and fall accident at work, the most important thing to know is that no matter what, your health comes first. Never let anyone play down your accident or tell you that it’s not a big deal. Even those slip and falls that don’t seem like that much of an issue when it first happens can turn into something much more significant with time.

Workplace accidents can result in injuries that put a strain on both your professional and personal life. Fortunately, if you have suffered from an accident at work in New York, the laws entitle you to help from your employer with covering all medical expenses related to your recovery.