Tag: How Does a Prior Injury Affect Your Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

In New York, when you have been injured on the job, you have a right to seek benefits under the state’s workers’ compensation system. In fact, the workers’ compensation system is generally your sole remedy or means of recovering compensation for injuries caused by the carelessness or negligence of your employer or a co-employee. But what if you had a prior injury—work-related or not—to the same part of your body? What if you hurt your knee on the job six months or two years ago? Will you be eligible to obtain workers’ compensation benefits for the same or a similar injury?