Read the hearing’s stated purpose
Not every hearing addresses the entire claim. One may concern payments, another a disputed injury or production of evidence. Give your attorney the notice and ask which issue is expected to be addressed. Keep the case number and connection or attendance details available.
Review dates and documents
Prepare a short timeline: accident, employer notice, initial care, periods out of work, and any return. Keep prior decisions, reports, and payment records. If documents conflict on dates or facts, point that out before the hearing. Do not try to resolve the difference by guessing what the answer should be.
Practice explaining, not memorizing
If testimony is needed, listen to the question and answer from your own recollection. Ask for clarification when necessary. It is acceptable to say you cannot recall a detail. Tell your attorney beforehand if you need language assistance or have technical difficulties participating.
After the hearing
Ask for an explanation of the decision and next steps. The Board provides hearing and decision-review procedures; your attorney should determine which applies. Keep the written decision when it arrives and share it promptly. An impression of how the hearing went does not replace reviewing its written outcome.
Official source: NYS Workers’ Compensation Board · Hearings, Agreements & Appeals
General New York information, not advice about your individual facts. Deadlines and options depend on the case. Do not wait until treatment ends to ask about important dates.
Workers’ compensation