Bill would require workers receive claim info in native language

Legislation introduced Wednesday in the New York Senate would forbid the closure of workers compensation cases without first providing injured workers with all records of the proceedings in their native language.

S.B. 7843, introduced by Democratic Sen. Jessica Ramos, would require the state’s Workers Compensation Board to keep accurate stenographic records of all hearings and provide the information and minutes — at no cost — to injured workers and their representatives in the native language of the injured worker. In addition, all decisions would be required to be disseminated to the injured worker in their native language.

In January, Sen. Ramos introduced S.B. 3394, which would require that insurers provide notice by electronic means or registered mail — whichever the injured worker selects —of any changes to the worker’s claims representative within 14 business days of the change, and include contact information and the name of the new claims representative.

Both bills have been referred to the Senate’s Labor Committee.