NY Lags 29 States in WC, TDI Coverage

A new report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli on the state’s social insurance programs found that the $1,171 workers’ compensation weekly cap ranks lower than that in 29 other states, including neighboring Connecticut and Vermont.
Workers’ compensation, covering workplace injuries, offers a benefit rate of 67% of average weekly wages, consistent with most peer states.
For workers receiving the maximum benefit rate under temporary total disability, New York’s two-thirds benefit rate is in the range of most peer states, with only Texas, New Jersey and Connecticut providing higher rates.
Legislation enacted in 2023 will phase in increases to the minimum benefit through 2026, after which it will be set at 20% of the New York State Average Weekly Wage.
In 2023, there were almost 170,000 claims for workers’ compensation.
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A Kentucky appeals court last week ruled that a hospital nurse failed to prove she contracted COVID-19 at work in November 2020, reversing an earlier determination that classified her illness as one that was occupational in nature.
Gina Murphy was working at Norton Healthcare in Brownsboro, Kentucky.
The Workers’ Compensation Board previously found that the infection qualified as an occupational disease.
The Court of Appeals of Kentucky found that “while there was some evidence of potential exposure, Murphy did not present any clear evidence of actual exposure while working at Norton. In addition, there was also substantial evidence that Murphy likely was exposed to other potential sources of COVID-19 during the incubation period,” citing evidence that she was around others who may have been carrying the virus.
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Heather Jordan has been named the new director of New Mexico’s Workers’ Compensation Administration.
Starting immediately, she replaces Robert Doucette, who will remain at the state’s General Services Department as Cabinet secretary.
Jordan started at the administration in 2015 as clerk of the court. In 2022, she became court and programs administration and was promoted to executive deputy director in May of this year. She worked in local government in the Albuquerque area before that.
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