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Author: Michael Serres, ESQ.

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Workers’ Compensation Issues to Watch in 2016

With the looming national elections in November, workers’ compensation industry insiders expect increased scrutiny on state programs, including revisions of employee health and claims models. A number of key issues were spotlighted at a webinar held on January 11 by Safety National, one of the leading providers of workers’ compensation insurance nationwide.

According to Mark Walls, the elections promise to have an impact on workers’ compensation insurance providers, as eleven states currently elect insurance commissioners, who can have a direct impact on how premiums are determined. Experts also say that, although tax provisions of the Affordable Care Act have been extended to 2020, there’s a significant likelihood that a new president, Republican or Democrat, will make changes in health care reform.

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20 February 2016 No Comments

What to Do When You Have Been Hurt at Work

Under the laws of New York, if you have been hurt on the job, you have a right to seek benefits under the state’s workers’ compensation system. The program is what has been commonly referred to as the “grand bargain.” Essentially, this means that workers and employers should both benefit from the system—workers can have quicker access to needed benefits, without the need to go to court; and employers can avoid the often exorbitant awards juries hand out.

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9 February 2016 No Comments

How to Avoid Winter Injuries at Work

Winter weather, with snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain, generally increases the risk of injury for workers, especially those who spend most or all of their time outside. There are steps you can take to minimize the risk of workplace injury in wintry weather.

Watch Your Step

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3 February 2016 No Comments

New York Horse Owners/Trainers Significant Increase in Workers Compensation Rates

In a last-minute deal, horse owners and trainers have avoided a substantial increase in workers’ compensation premiums for jockeys and exercise riders in 2016.

In New York, workers’ compensation insurance premiums to cover jockeys and exercise riders are paid into the Jockey Injury Compensation Fund, which then purchases workers’ compensation insurance through the New York State Insurance Fund. Premium payments are assessed to owners and trainers.

Under New York law, the Jockey Injury Compensation Fund is required to submit a funding plan for the next year by November 15 of the current year. The Fund failed to meet that deadline for the second year in a row, prompting the Gaming Commission to issue an emergency rule, substantially increasing rates.

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27 January 2016 No Comments

Niagara Falls Man Charged with Workers Compensation Fraud

A New York man has been charged with at least two criminal counts after authorities say he wrongfully collected workers’ compensation while self-employed. The defendant had repeatedly reported to workers’ compensation officials that he was not working at all. Documents filed with the court indicate that, during a 13-year-period, the man received more than $82,000 in workers’ compensation payments while earning in excess of $370,000.

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19 January 2016 No Comments
A triumphant Werner Schuler, a Queens MTA employee, receiving his long-awaited workers' compensation payment after a six-year battle for justice.
Workers Compensation Attorneys

Queens Subway Worker Finally Gets Work Compensation Payment

Six Year Battle Finally Brings Workers Compensation Payment

After six years of trying to collect on an approved workers’ compensation claim, a Queens employee of the MTA has finally seen a payment. Werner Schuler, a longtime employee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, injured his knee back in 2008 and was unable to perform his job for more than a year. He sought workers’ compensation benefits and ultimately won his grievance, but until recently had not seen a dime of the money.

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14 January 2016 No Comments
Social Security Disability
Social Security Lawyers

Social Security Disability Benefits-An Overview

SS Disability Benefits

If you have been injured on the job, you can typically seek compensation by filing a workers’ compensation claim, but what if you have an illness or injury that makes it impossible for you to work, but that didn’t result from your employment? That’s where the programs administered by the Social Security Administration can help, Social Security Disability benefits.
Filing a Social Security Disability Claim

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17 December 2015 No Comments

Social Security Disability Crisis Temporarily Avoided

Astoria, New York Social Security Attorneys

If you rely on Social Security disability income payments to provide for your basic needs, you may or may not have known that a significant portion of those benefits were at risk until just recently. A major crisis in Social Security disability (SSD) funding has been averted, at least temporarily, after President Obama signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. The budget act suspended the federal debt limit for two years, and introduced a host of other measures, all of which should keep the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund solvent for the present time.

Without these changes, many experts feared that the Social Security Administration would have had to cut all benefits payments by up to 20% before the end of 2016. Lawmakers say the changes imposed by the budget bill should ensure full payments of SSD benefits through 2022. The principal change that will help keep the Social Security disability payment system intact—a “reallocation” of the payroll tax rate, with a greater percentage of payroll taxes already collected going into the Social Security system. Read More

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8 December 2015 No Comments

Workers Compensation and Social Security Lawyers

Workers’ Compensation | Social Security Disability | Personal Injury

If you have questions or concerns about a work-related injury, a Social Security disability claim, Workers Compensation, or any type of personal injury, you’ve come to the right place—the blog for the experienced lawyers at Pyrros & Serres LLP. Our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience to every case we take. We’ll be at your side throughout the legal process. Our staff will help you put together the necessary documentation and file your claim for the benefits you need. We’ll be your advocate with your employer or the work comp insurance company, if necessary. We’ll also be your voice at all administrative proceedings and legal hearings.

In our blog, we’ll provide you with helpful information about the law, as well as your rights, so that you can make good decisions about your case and how you want to proceed. We’ll cover a broad range of topics, including:

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1 December 2015 No Comments

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