New York Workers Compensation Alliance

The New York State Workers' Compensation Alliance is a coalition of injured workers and other stakeholders committed to protecting the rights of injured workers under the New York State Workers' Compensation Law.

Injured workers in New York are under attack by large corporate and insurance company lobbyists. Governor Pataki recently introduced a workers' compensation "reform" bill that would take away benefits from New York's most seriously injured workers. Specifically, those workers who are permanently disabled from their normal occupation would have their benefits "capped" after a certain number of years. This would change a law that has been serving the residents of New York State fairly since 1914.

For example, if a 25 year old carpenter earning $1,000 per week injured his back and could no longer do carpentry, his benefits would end after a few years. After that, he would have to suffer the indignity of applying for welfare and be supported by the taxpayers. How fair is that to both the injured worker and New York State taxpayers? Under the existing law, his benefits would be paid by workers' compensation insurance and continue until he found a new career paying the same or more than carpentry. Not only is the existing law fairer, it's the right thing to do.

Prior to 1914, a worker injured on the job could sue his employer for lost wages. This often led to long litigation which benefited neither the injured worker nor the employer. After the tragic Triangle Factory Fire, in which over 100 workers perished, the New York State Legislature forged a historic compromise between injured workers and employers. In return for workers giving up their right to sue their employers for on-the-job injuries, employers were required to furnish quick compensation and medical care to the worker. In many instances, this was done by the employer purchasing a workers' compensation insurance policy. This system has worked well for almost 100 years, despite increasing dangers in the workplace.

Now, Governor Pataki is trying to dismantle the New York Workers' Compensation Law in an effort to to further his Presidential ambitions. To do this, he will need the support of the Republican State Senate. Thankfully, all Republican State Senators are up for reelection this year. The Workers' Compensation Alliance is committed to educating all Republican Senators on the hardships the Pataki plan would create for injured workers, taxpayers and all voters. If you don't want to see your property taxes go through the roof when county welfare programs take over responsibility for disabled workers, please click here to send an automatic letter to your State Senator. Thank you for your support.