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October 07, 2024

Workers' Compensation Board facilities to reopen for in-person hearings and services

Commencing Tuesday, October 8, 2024, multiple New York State Workers’ Compensation Board offices will be reopening for in-person hearings and services by appointment. Virtual hearings will remain the standard statewide for all hearing locations. However, anyone who would like an in-person hearing or an appointment for other services, should follow the directions included below.

Please note the following exceptions:

Due to construction, in-person hearings and appointments will be delayed for two Board locations, the Manhattan District Office (targeting January 2025) and the Queens District Office (target date to be announced).

Exact dates for the reopening of these locations will be shared as soon as possible.

Additionally, in-person hearings and appointments for Allegany and Jamestown will be held in Buffalo; New City in White Plains; and Plattsburgh in Menands. Please see the Locations page of the Board’s website for more details on all locations.

Requesting in-person hearings for other locations

Any party attending a virtual hearing on or after October 8, 2024, can request to have their next workers’ compensation hearing in person at a Board location. Such requests should be made directly to the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge during a scheduled virtual hearing. Otherwise, hearings will remain virtual.

In-person hearings will bring the injured worker, their legal representative (if applicable), and other parties (if they so choose) together at a physical Board location for their hearing. 

Please note that attorneys and legal representatives will be required to accompany their clients to all in-person hearings or find an appropriate substitute to accompany them. 

Services

Injured workers and other stakeholders will also be able to request in-person appointments at a Board office for support services and other Board resources. This includes:

  • free appointments with our Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors or Licensed Master Social Workers
  • using Board computers for case-related activities or to complete a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from New York State Workers’ Compensation and/or Disability Benefits Insurance Coverage (Form CE-200).

These in-person appointments can be requested on or after October 8, 2024, by calling the Board’s Customer Service line at (844) 337-6301 or by emailing VocRehab@wcb.ny.gov or SocialWorkers@wcb.ny.gov for the relevant support. 

Please Note: The phone line and email addresses are not available for requesting an in-person hearing. As indicated above, those requests should be made directly to the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge during a scheduled virtual hearing.

Reopening with this by-appointment approach will enable the Board to offer an important public service while efficiently managing hearing calendars and local staffing requirements based on demand. The Board will evaluate the success of this approach over time and make any modifications as appropriate.


Did you know the Board has free support services available for injured workers?
Learn more at wcb.ny.gov/supportservices

 

CAUTION

Subsequent court and administrative rulings, or changes to laws, rules and regulations may have modified or clarified or vacated or reversed the information and, or, decisions summarized in NYPPL. For example, New York State Department of Civil Service's Advisory Memorandum 24-08 reflects changes required as the result of certain amendments to §72 of the New York State Civil Service Law to take effect January 1, 2025 [See Chapter 306 of the Laws of 2024]. Advisory Memorandum 24-08 in PDF format is posted on the Internet at https://www.cs.ny.gov/ssd/pdf/AM24-08Combined.pdf. Accordingly, the information and case summaries should be Shepardized® or otherwise checked to make certain that the most recent information is being considered by the reader.
THE MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. AGAIN, CHANGES IN LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND NEW COURT AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS MAY AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS LAWBLOG. THE MATERIAL PRESENTED IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND THE USE OF ANY MATERIAL POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE, OR CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING SUCH MATERIAL, DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
NYPPL Blogger Harvey Randall served as Principal Attorney, New York State Department of Civil Service; Director of Personnel, SUNY Central Administration; Director of Research, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations; and Staff Judge Advocate General, New York Guard. Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material posted to this blog is presented with the understanding that neither the publisher nor NYPPL and, or, its staff and contributors are providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader is urged to seek such advice from a knowledgeable professional.
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