The New York State Workers Compensation Board has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign for failing to pay a $50,000 fine for not providing workers’ compensation coverage to employees. The state board filed for the judgment in state Supreme Court in Buffalo on February 26, following allegations that the campaign did not have insurance coverage for employees from December 2022 to September 2023.
Virtually all employers in New York State are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees, which covers medical expenses for sick or injured workers who become ill or hurt on the job. According to state officials, Hochul’s campaign failed to carry workers’ comp insurance following her 2022 election victory. WCB attorney Michael Mealy stated in a court filing that the $50,000 fine is in default as no payment has been received to date.
Critics have accused Hochul and her campaign team of not practicing what they preach, with state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar stating that it is unfortunate that the campaign does not live up to the standards set for others. Workers’ compensation insurance is in place to protect workers and should be paid, except for the governor who manages the system. In response, Hochul campaign spokeswoman Jen Goodman stated that the campaign became aware of the issue with the Workers’ Compensation Board and is actively working to resolve any questions, maintaining that they had an appropriate workers’ compensation policy in place while employing staff.
Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for most employers with one or more employees, as it protects employers from liability for on-the-job injury or illness and provides payment to injured workers on a temporary or permanent basis. Despite the benefits, business owners have long complained about the high cost of workers’ compensation insurance. State Senator George Borrello, who owns four restaurants upstate, criticized Hochul for not taking action to address the expensive nature of workers’ compensation insurance, despite being in a position to do so.
The lawsuit filed by the New York State Workers Compensation Board against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign highlights the importance of employers providing workers’ compensation coverage to protect employees in case of illness or injury on the job. The failure of the campaign to pay the $50,000 fine for not carrying insurance coverage raises concerns about whether they are upholding the same standards they expect from others. Critics have accused the campaign of hypocrisy and not practicing what they preach, pointing out that workers’ compensation insurance is in place to safeguard workers and should be paid, regardless of who manages the system.
Worker’s compensation insurance is a necessary protection for most employers in New York State, as it not only safeguards employees but also shields employers from liability in case of workplace injuries or illnesses. Despite the benefits of workers’ compensation insurance, business owners have lamented the high costs associated with it. State Senator George Borrello called out Hochul for not taking action to address the expense of workers’ compensation insurance, despite having the power to do so. Moving forward, resolving the issue with the Workers’ Compensation Board and ensuring compliance with workers’ compensation requirements will be crucial for Gov. Hochul and her campaign to uphold the necessary standards and ensure the protection of their employees.
