Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If your workers’ comp checks stop without explanation, contact the insurance adjuster immediately, and check with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board online portal for any suspensions or unusual activity. You can file a request for assistance if needed.
Insurance providers are not allowed to stop your payments without a written notice and explanation. You have legal rights, and if you believe they have been violated, it’s smart to get help from an attorney who handles workers’ compensation claims.
Our team has more than 200 years of combined legal experience, standing up for injured New Yorkers. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out how our New York City workers’ compensation lawyers can help when your checks suddenly stop without reason.
Can Workers’ Comp Benefits Stop Without Notice?
Under New York law, insurance carriers generally cannot stop paying benefits without following specific procedures set by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. That means either a formal filing and notice or a decision by a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge.
If your checks have stopped unexpectedly, you may be able to challenge the interruption and seek reinstatement of your benefits. You may request a hearing through the Workers’ Compensation Board, and you have the right to legal representation.
Common Reasons Workers’ Comp Checks Stop
While it can be jarring and unexpected, there are several legally recognized reasons benefits may be reduced or suspended under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law.
Maximum Medical Improvement
When your authorized doctor determines you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), your condition is considered stable and unlikely to improve. Temporary disability benefits may end, and your case may shift to a permanent disability classification.
You Are Released to Return to Work
If your doctor allows you to return to full or limited duty, your wage replacement benefits might be reduced or stopped. If you refuse suitable light-duty jobs that fit your medical restrictions, it can also affect your benefits.
The Insurance Carrier Filed a Suspension or Controversion
In New York, if an insurance provider wants to stop payments, they must notify the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board first. They usually need to send a written notice, and a hearing might be scheduled.
Allegations of Fraud
Insurance companies may conduct surveillance and review your social media if they think you are not being honest about your injury. If they suspect fraud, they might try to stop your benefits. However, they typically need to file the proper paperwork and get a judge’s decision.
Administrative Errors
Benefits can stop because of simple errors, wage miscalculations, banking issues, mailing delays, or misunderstandings between your employer and the insurance carrier. These problems are usually accidental and can often be fixed quickly once identified.
What to Do if Your Workers’ Comp Checks Stop Without Explanation
You don’t have to accept it if your checks stop without notice. You can take steps to find out why and potentially get your benefits reinstated. Our New York workers’ comp attorneys can help.
Here are some actions you can take:
Contact Your Insurance Carrier
Start by reaching out to the claims adjuster to find out why your payments stopped. Ask if a form was filed, if a hearing is scheduled, and what documents support the decision. Keep notes of all your conversations and any correspondence.
Check the Status of Your Case
Check your case status with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board by logging into the eCase portal or calling them. Confirm if there has been any official suspension, reduction, or decision. If there is no formal action listed, the stop in payments may be incorrect.
Review Your Current Medical Status
Talk to your doctor to check if you still qualify for benefits, what your current work limits are, and if there is an Independent Medical Exam report available. If there are different medical opinions, you may need a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge to sort out the issue.
Request a Hearing
If your workers’ compensation payments have been stopped, you can request a hearing with a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge. The judge will look at medical records and legal evidence.
If they find that your payments were stopped incorrectly, they may order reinstatement and retroactive benefits.
Consult With Our Legal Team if Your Checks Stop
If your workers’ comp checks stop without explanation, you have the right to ask questions. Get in touch with the insurance adjuster, and go to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board online portal to see if they’ve listed a reason for the change in benefits.
Your benefits can’t just stop without reason or explanation. If they do, or if they believe you have been treated unfairly, get in touch with an attorney who has experience with workers’ compensation cases. We can protect your rights and find out what happened.
Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers has served more than 26,000 clients since 2013. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You. Call today for your free consultation and tell us about your workers’ compensation challenges.
