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As New York City braces for another wave of layoffs across various industries—from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and education tech and finance to—many workers are left uncertain about their future. At Schotter Millican, LLP, we want you to know that if you’ve developed a repetitive strain injury (RSI) on the job, being laid off doesn’t necessarily end your ability to seek workers’ compensation benefits.
What Is a Repetitive Strain Injury?
Repetitive strain injuries are a type of occupational disease caused by performing the same motions over an extended period of time. Common examples include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome from keyboard or mouse use
- Wear and tear on knees and shoulders from heavy lifting, using power tools like jackhammers, and operating vehicles and heavy machinery
- Lower back issues from prolonged standing or poor ergonomics
These injuries often affect office workers, warehouse staff, medical professionals, delivery drivers, construction workers, laborers, transportation workers, and many others—anyone who performs repetitive physical tasks as part of their daily duties.
Can You Still File a Workers’ Compensation Claim After Being Laid Off?
Yes. In New York, you may still be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits even if you were laid off—especially if your injury occurred or worsened before your termination. Workers’ compensation is designed to support injured workers, not just active employees. The key is demonstrating that your condition is work-related.
In many repetitive strain injury cases, symptoms develop slowly over time, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact day of injury. That’s why the law provides flexibility. The "date of disablement" in an occupational disease case is often determined as the last day the person worked in the job that contributed to the condition—or the date a doctor first concluded the injury was work-related. So if you were recently laid off from a job that involved repetitive physical tasks, you may still have a valid claim.
Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights
In New York, strict deadlines apply to workers’ compensation claims. Generally, you have two years from the date of disablement to file a claim—unless you first knew or should have known that your injury was work-related at a later time. Delays can put your eligibility for benefits at risk.
If you are still working but anticipate a layoff in the near future, now is the time to act. Once you file your claim, you control whether and when to stop working due to your injuries—and doing so before you're let go can make it significantly easier to receive compensation in many cases.
We’re Here to Help
At Schotter Millican, LLP, we help injured New Yorkers navigate the workers’ compensation system with confidence. Whether you’ve been laid off or are still employed, we can assess your situation and help you determine whether you’re eligible for benefits. You don’t have to face this alone.
Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help protect your rights and secure the benefits you may be owed.