What is one primary requirement for an employee to file a claim under Workers’ Compensation in New York?

For an employee to successfully file a claim under Workers’ Compensation in New York, the primary requirement is that the injury must be work-related. This means that the injury or illness must arise out of and in the course of employment. The Workers’ Compensation system is designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries, ensuring that they receive medical care and compensation for lost wages without having to prove fault on the part of the employer.

Focusing on the context of this requirement, work-relatedness means that the injury should either occur during the performance of job duties or be directly connected to the work environment. This is essential for the claim to be recognized under the Workers’ Compensation laws, as it distinguishes valid claims from those that are incidental to personal activities or unrelated circumstances.

Other potential conditions, such as the length of employment or the location where the injury occurs, do not impact the eligibility to file a claim as strongly as the work-relatedness of the injury does. Claims are not contingent upon the employer denying them; rather, the threshold is whether the injury stems from work activities.