It is expensive to run a business – and there is no doubt that the ever-increasing cost to carry workers’ compensation is a significant burden to the small-businesses that make up the vast majority of New York’s employers.  At the moment you hire your first employee, you must have coverage; and that coverage will protect not just your employees, but your business as well.

Unfortunately, many business owners do not realize that carrying workers’ comp insurance is mandatory under New York state employment; and the failure to provide it can expose them to harsh civil and even criminal penalties.

The penalty for not having workers’ compensation coverage for your employees can range from a very steep fine to criminal charges. The state can find out you do not have proper insurance in any number of ways, including through its own investigation, if someone reports you, or if an employee lodges a complaint after being injured and denied benefits.

At The Law Offices of Melissa A. Day, PLLC, we help small business owners who:

• Need informed counsel on employer rights in the workers’ compensation system
• Are under investigation for alleged failure to carry workers’ compensation insurance
• Have had penalties levied against them for not carrying required workers’ compensation insurance.
• Have insurance but need defense in workers’ comp cases

If you have questions concerning an employer’s rights issue under New York workers’ compensation law, reach out to our office to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer.