Senate Passes Bill Setting Deadline for Payment of Death Benefits for Emergency Workers

The New York Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would require emergency worker death benefits to be paid within 90 days in most situations. Senate Bill 952, by Sen. James Gaughran, D-Syosset, would declare that death benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance drivers must be paid within 90 days of filing an application with the Workers’ Compensation Board unless the employer or carrier files a notice of controversy. If there is a discrepancy in the claim that would prevent it from being processed within 90 days, the Workers’ Compensation Board wou...