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.
Related: With subrogation, is an injured worker left paying the price?
|(Virtual) change is happening
The board developed virtual hearings in partnership with the Office of Information Technology Services. It is also developing a mobile app, for future release, that parties may download and use to attend hearings.
The virtual hearings will provide injured workers a way to move the claim process forward without the need to travel many miles for a hearing that may last only minutes, which is especially beneficial depending on the extent of their injuries.
"This state-of-the-art, secure technology removes obstacles and stress for hard-working New Yorkers who were injured on the job, as well as for business owners and the professionals who participate in the system," Board Chair Rodriguez said in a press release. "Virtual hearings allow injured workers to remain in their homes and other participants to attend from their workplaces. One successful pilot and now statewide launch demonstrate New York's commitment to helping people hurt on the job."
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Denny Jacob
Denny Jacob is an associate editor for NU PropertyCasualty360. Contact him at [email protected].
