NY lawmakers propose revamping disability pay schedule

Lawmakers in New York are considering a bill that would propose new lower limits to disability payments under workers compensation law.

S. B. 8271, introduced Tuesday and referred to the Labor Committee, proposes that compensation for permanent or temporary partial or total disability due to an accident or disablement resulting from an occupational disease “shall not be less than one-fifth of the New York state average weekly wage except that if the employee’s weekly wages are equal  to or less  than  one-fifth  of  the  New  York state average weekly wage, the employee shall receive his or her full wages.”

Current law, set for injuries occurring after 2013, states that payments shall not be less than $150 per week except that if the employee’s wages at the time of injury are less than $150; if so, the employee shall receive his or her full wages.

The new guidelines would go into effect immediately if passed and would only apply to injuries that occur on or after that effective date.