Step 1: Report the injury to your employer promptly

New York law asks that you notify your employer of a work-related injury or illness in writing as soon as possible, and generally within 30 days. Waiting longer can put your claim at risk, so it is best to report right away — even if the injury seems minor at first.

• Tell your supervisor or employer in writing (email or a dated note creates a record).
• Describe how, when, and where the injury happened, and which body parts are affected.
• Keep a copy of what you send for your own records.

Reporting promptly starts the process and helps make sure your medical treatment and any wage-replacement benefits can move forward without unnecessary disputes.

Step 2: Get medical care from an authorized provider

Except in an emergency, non-emergency treatment for a work injury in New York generally needs to be provided by a medical professional authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board. Choosing an authorized provider helps ensure your visits are properly documented and billed through the workers’ comp system rather than to you.

At Injury Recovery MD, we treat work-related injuries and coordinate workers’ comp injury care across multiple specialties — orthopedics, chiropractic, physical therapy, and pain management — in one connected plan. We bill Workers’ Comp directly for eligible visits, and we offer same-day and next-day appointments where scheduling allows, so treatment can begin promptly. Call (631) 560-8357 to be seen.

Step 3: File form C-3 with the Workers' Compensation Board

To open your own claim, you file an Employee Claim (form C-3) with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. This is separate from your employer’s report — filing the C-3 is how you formally put your claim on record.

• The C-3 can be filed online through the Board’s website or by mail.
• New York generally requires a claim to be filed within two years of the accident (or of when a work-related illness was discovered).
• Have your employer’s information, the date and details of the injury, and your treating provider’s information ready.

Your medical provider also submits reports to the Board and the insurer documenting your diagnosis and treatment, which supports your claim alongside the C-3.

Step 4: Keep documentation and stay on top of deadlines

Workers’ comp claims move on documentation and timelines. Good records make the process smoother and help avoid gaps in your benefits.

• Keep everything: the written notice to your employer, your C-3, medical records, appointment notes, and any letters from the insurer or Board.
• Attend your appointments and follow the treatment plan — consistent care creates a clear medical record.
• Watch the dates: the roughly 30-day notice to your employer and the two-year filing window are the two that most often trip people up.

Injury Recovery MD provides the medical documentation that insurers and the Workers’ Compensation Board require, so your care and your paperwork stay in sync.

Where medical care and the legal process meet

Filing a workers’ comp claim has both a medical side and a legal/administrative side. As a medical practice, we handle the clinical care and documentation — diagnosis, treatment, and the reports that go to the Board and insurer.

For questions about your legal rights, benefit disputes, hearings, or whether to retain representation, those are legal matters, and it is a good idea to consult an attorney. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Ready to start treatment for a work injury? Call Injury Recovery MD at (631) 560-8357 or explore our workers’ comp injury care and office locations across Long Island.

Frequently asked questions

How soon do I have to report a work injury in New York?

New York generally asks you to notify your employer in writing as soon as possible and typically within 30 days of the injury. Reporting promptly helps protect your ability to receive benefits, so it is best not to wait even if the injury seems minor.

What is form C-3 and do I have to file it myself?

Form C-3 is the Employee Claim you file with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board to formally open your claim. It is separate from your employer’s injury report — filing the C-3 puts your claim on record and can be submitted online through the Board’s website or by mail. New York generally allows up to two years from the accident to file.

Can I see any doctor for a workers' comp injury?

Except in an emergency, non-emergency care for a New York work injury generally needs to come from a provider authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board. Injury Recovery MD treats work-related injuries, bills Workers’ Comp directly for eligible visits, and coordinates orthopedics, chiropractic, physical therapy, and pain management in one plan. Call (631) 560-8357.

Will workers' comp appointments cost me anything?

For eligible work-related injuries, Injury Recovery MD bills New York Workers’ Comp directly, so there is typically no out-of-pocket cost to you for covered visits. We also offer same-day and next-day appointments where scheduling allows, so you can start care promptly.

Do I need a lawyer to file a workers' comp claim?

Many people file the initial claim on their own, and as a medical practice we focus on your treatment and documentation rather than legal advice. If you have questions about your rights, a benefits dispute, or a hearing, it is a good idea to consult an attorney who handles workers’ compensation matters.