Virtual hearings now an option for injured workers in New York

Virtual hearings were first tested in the Capital District Office in Menands in November 2017, then rolled out across the state. Since the beginning of the pilot, more than 33,000 hearings have included at least one party who appeared remotely, successfully connecting injured workers, law judges and representatives from all over New York and nationally. (Photo: David Handschuh/NYLJ)

Injured workers in New York can now attend virtual hearings after the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board launched its first-in-the-nation initiative. This is the first high definition, all access system for legal hearings in the nation, where multiple users in different locations log in once and then move from one hearing to another.

To participate in a virtual hearing, the party of interest needs only a smartphone, tablet or computer with a microphone and video camera, as well as a high-speed internet connection. All participants can see and hear each other on their respective screens. Additionally, workers’ compensation law judges can share claim documents with all involved parties.